Bleeding Brake Failure
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
Bleeding Brake Failure
Hi all,
I knew my brake fluid was junk, so this weekend I attempted to do what I've read as a 'gravity bleed'.
I thought all I had to do was to take the rear wheel off, find the brake line going into the caliper, and loosen/remove the bolt holding it on, and let it drip slowly out until it is clear.
I tried using a 1/2" socket, 1/2" open end wrench, and couldn't get the darn thing off. I started slipping off the end of the bolt. I read my red FSM and it say something about using a 'open end box bleeder wrench' so I wasn't sure what the hell I was doing at this point, so I decided to leave the brakes alone and polished the aluminum and yellow shocks instead.
So first question, am I doing the right thing? Should I just be pulling a lot harder on that bolt/nut? I was afraid to damage/snap it or maybe I was pulling on the wrong thing.
Secondly, I know it is useless but I did it anyway, I used a turkey baster to suck some fluid out of the reservoir to refill with fresh. While I was doing this, I noticed a lot of black, very thin, flaky stuff floating around in the fluid. This is bad, I think? How bad? Like brakes gonna not work next weekend when I try to stop at the end of the dragstrip? How boned am I?
Thanks all for your help and support!
John
I knew my brake fluid was junk, so this weekend I attempted to do what I've read as a 'gravity bleed'.
I thought all I had to do was to take the rear wheel off, find the brake line going into the caliper, and loosen/remove the bolt holding it on, and let it drip slowly out until it is clear.
I tried using a 1/2" socket, 1/2" open end wrench, and couldn't get the darn thing off. I started slipping off the end of the bolt. I read my red FSM and it say something about using a 'open end box bleeder wrench' so I wasn't sure what the hell I was doing at this point, so I decided to leave the brakes alone and polished the aluminum and yellow shocks instead.
So first question, am I doing the right thing? Should I just be pulling a lot harder on that bolt/nut? I was afraid to damage/snap it or maybe I was pulling on the wrong thing.
Secondly, I know it is useless but I did it anyway, I used a turkey baster to suck some fluid out of the reservoir to refill with fresh. While I was doing this, I noticed a lot of black, very thin, flaky stuff floating around in the fluid. This is bad, I think? How bad? Like brakes gonna not work next weekend when I try to stop at the end of the dragstrip? How boned am I?
Thanks all for your help and support!
John
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Ks
I have done gravity bleed on trailers and other cars in the past and I never touched the line just opened all the bleaders and kept adding brake fluid until it was all clean fluid coming out of the bleaders.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Unless my understanding is off, I thought you use the bleeder screws for a gravity bleed just the same as for the normal technique, so no need to disconnect the line.
I installed a used set of calipers on my car, and the old brake lines were in there really tight. If you really want to take them off, some prudent muscle is probably the trick. It's just a regular bolt head.
I installed a used set of calipers on my car, and the old brake lines were in there really tight. If you really want to take them off, some prudent muscle is probably the trick. It's just a regular bolt head.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
I need better eyes or a better manual... maybe the Haynes will be more illustrative (for shame!)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Its the nipple on top side of the caliper, no bolt, some have a rubber cap over them...hook up a clear plastic hose to the nipple, into a clear container with 1-2: of clean brake fluid, submerg the hose and open the nipple, don't forget to check MC and don't run out of fluid in the MC or you'll have a airy line.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach FL
Thanks for all the replies: but what about all that black-flaky stuff in the master cylinder? Think it'll all just drain out through the bleeder valves, or am I in trouble here?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 15
From: Wallingford Vermont
I don't know how much corrosion your Vette seen, but some times the bleeder can be a bitch (especially if it's never been touched). Use some penintrant and a GOOD six point socket. I've even resorted to some heat and a hand impact driver (on lesser vehicles 
) and even THEN they might snap off.
) and even THEN they might snap off.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 2
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I don't know how much corrosion your Vette seen, but some times the bleeder can be a bitch (especially if it's never been touched).
A copla years ago I had to replace the MC on my '88 and decided to flush all the lines. Well the RR bleeder was so frozen, even after the PB Blaster soaking, that I broke the 1/4" drive socket wrench while using a "little impact" to break it loose...
For the "flakes" in the MC, I'd try to get out all the fluid and wipe out all the flakes.
Then use the clear plastic tube into a container of brake fluid trick so that you can bleed the lines till clear fluid comes out. This way, after you pump the pedal, you don't have to worry about air being drawn back into the bleeder as you release the pedal.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
i just replaced my master cyl a month ago .. i too noticed the "black crunchy bits" in the bottom of the master cyl....i suspect its a byproduct of autocrossing/drag racing..(possibly heat related) my fluid was a dark brown also...i bought a vacuum pump bleeder kit and changed every drop of fluid.
since then not any problems.
Bret
since then not any problems.
Bret
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
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