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Brake Bleeding - sequence questioned

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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 03:12 PM
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Default Brake Bleeding - sequence questioned

I am looking in the FSM for my 86 and it says the sequence is rear left, rear right then front left,front right. I am assuming left = drivers side. This sounds wrong to me, looking at the brake lines shouldn't it be rear right, rear left then front right, front left? thx!
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 03:48 PM
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Bleed from the furthest to the closest. So yes, the manual is incorrect. RR, LR,RF,LF
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
Bleed from the furthest to the closest. So yes, the manual is incorrect. RR, LR,RF,LF
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 12:20 AM
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The 1986 brake lines go from the master to the ABS then to the brakes. Technically the furthest from the master cylinder would actually be the front brakes since the fluid goes from the master to the ABS behind the driver then to the front brakes.

I don't have the updates to the manual that were made available to GM dealers on this computer. They may have made corrections later. Any corrections will likely be found in the 1987 FSM.

Just my 2 cents.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 1986coupe
The 1986 brake lines go from the master to the ABS then to the brakes. Technically the furthest from the master cylinder would actually be the front brakes since the fluid goes from the master to the ABS behind the driver then to the front brakes.

I don't have the updates to the manual that were made available to GM dealers on this computer. They may have made corrections later. Any corrections will likely be found in the 1987 FSM.

Just my 2 cents.
I bled my brakes as above and has no problems.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 08:43 AM
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Depends if you'r in front or back of the car.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 1986coupe
The 1986 brake lines go from the master to the ABS then to the brakes. Technically the furthest from the master cylinder would actually be the front brakes since the fluid goes from the master to the ABS behind the driver then to the front brakes.

I don't have the updates to the manual that were made available to GM dealers on this computer. They may have made corrections later. Any corrections will likely be found in the 1987 FSM.

Just my 2 cents.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 10:25 AM
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The manual for my 85 says the same, LR, RR, LF, RF. However, I just flushed my brake fluid this weekend and used the normal sequence, furthest away from the master first. Seemed to work out fine.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 10:41 AM
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I do brake fluid flushes often from track use and haven't found any sequence to be of any benefit.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by 1986coupe
The 1986 brake lines go from the master to the ABS then to the brakes. Technically the furthest from the master cylinder would actually be the front brakes since the fluid goes from the master to the ABS behind the driver then to the front brakes.

I don't have the updates to the manual that were made available to GM dealers on this computer. They may have made corrections later. Any corrections will likely be found in the 1987 FSM.

Just my 2 cents.
1987 white cover manual says RF, RR, LR, LF.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by kimmer
Depends if you'r in front or back of the car.
It's more important to have the car facing north during a full moon.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Aardwolf
I do brake fluid flushes often from track use and haven't found any sequence to be of any benefit.
Originally Posted by Chuck Tribolet
1987 white cover manual says RF, RR, LR, LF.
with both. I have bled my brakes using different sequences and it really doesn't seem to make a difference.

If for some reason the ABS unit needs servicing, then follow the sequence as shown in the FSM. And it's a royal PITA to bleed the ABS unit....
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
It's more important to have the car facing north during a full moon.
I wonder what would anyone do during new moon.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 05:15 PM
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I have always questioned ALL of the procedures. I've always wondered how you could bleed the front OR the rears with the other system closed off. It would seem that the closed side, either the front or the rear would limit the stroke of the master cyl. for the side you are trying to bleed.(The fronts would get tight and not let the master cyl stroke get a full push on the rear brakes. & Viceversa) I've always opened one front and one back on the same side and bleed both at the same time. It is really easy with speed bleeders too. I've got big air bubbles out of systems that have been previously bled the "normal" way and never had any problems doing it this way. Got to keep a close eye on the master cyl level though, you can pump a LOT out quick. PS. Don't let your wife push the pedal down either. If she's like mine, she'll try to push the pedal through the firewall!
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Klondike
PS. Don't let your wife push the pedal down either. If she's like mine, she'll try to push the pedal through the firewall!
I plan on putting a block of wood under the pedal...my wife WOULD put it through the floor! Thx!
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck Tribolet
1987 white cover manual says RF, RR, LR, LF.
The 86 manual also says to raise the front of the car when doing the rears to make the fronts higher....anyone have any thoughts?
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 09:24 PM
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In the garage, I bleed/flush both sides at the rear at the same time and then do the fronts. If at track do rr, lr, rf, and then lf. Never had any issues. Note, I normally gravity bleed.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 10:25 PM
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If gravity bleeding (waste of time to me but can work good if you have lots of time) the angle of the car matters. I use speed bleeders and the whole process is very quick and simple, plus requires no helper or blocks of wood.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 02:43 PM
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Gravity bleeding only requires one person and I only gravity bleed in the garage. I do it at same time performing other inspections or fluid changes. Usually takes about 1.5 to 2hrs.
No, I would not gravity bleed at the track. It does take too long. I too use speed bleeders except when gravity bleeding. When gravity bleeding, I use stock bleeder screws with tubes attached.
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