Bleeding new brakes
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Katy Texas
Bleeding new brakes
im putting C6 Z06 calipers on the front of my car and i wanted to know if there was anything special i needed to know about bleeding these or if i should put speed bleeders on them? do i HAVE to have a VAC or something that creates pressure to do this
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 793
From: Longview Texas
I still prefer the old fashioned way. Get a friend to sit in the car and hold the brake pedal down while you open the bleeder valve. Use a clear plastic tube from the bleeder to a bottle so you can see if any air is present and if the fluid looks clean. I would go ahead and flush the system until you get clean fluid at each caliper.
Not much room for error.
Other methods, there is more a chance of drawing air back in the system, or spraying brake fluid all over your paint.
Not much room for error.
Other methods, there is more a chance of drawing air back in the system, or spraying brake fluid all over your paint.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 29
From: San Rafael CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,982
Likes: 9,735
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Since the C6Z calipers are 6 piston units with pistons on both sides of the rotor you need to bleed the caliper halves in the correct sequence. The outer half is bled first followed by the inner half.
If you have a helper you can use the old pump and hold method to bleed these calipers. No need for speed bleeders especially if you aren't going to be any brake work for a year or so. You should bleed the system at least once every two years as part of normal maintenance.
Bill
If you have a helper you can use the old pump and hold method to bleed these calipers. No need for speed bleeders especially if you aren't going to be any brake work for a year or so. You should bleed the system at least once every two years as part of normal maintenance.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Jul 9, 2008 at 03:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 29
From: San Rafael CA
The Tech2 is a hand held computer that can be connected to GM vehicles for diagnosing and repairing the vehicle. It can read data from the computers in GM cars, can command on/off various functions in the car for diagnostic/repair purposes (such as commanding the BPMV to run to bleed the brake fluid in it), and can be used to reprogram and update the computers in a GM car. Note I say GM, a Tech2 will work on a Chevy, a Cadillac, a Saturn, pretty much any GM vehicle with OBD2, and also works with most OBD1 GM vehicles. I can't imagine there is a GM dealer in the world that doesn't have at least one, large dealerships will have several. Some non-GM service centers have them, and there are individuals who own them also.
The Tech2 was originally made for GM by Vertronix, but that company was bought out and the German company Bosch now is the maker ....
http://www.boschdiagnostics.com/TEST...ges/Tech2.aspx
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 29
From: San Rafael CA
Attached to the right side of the BPMV (as viewed from behind) is the EBCM. They are bolted together so that it looks like one unit.
The EBCM is the computer that controls functions such as ABS, Traction Control, and even Magnasteer. The EBCM commands the BPMV by controlling power to the pump, and using solenoids to open and close valves within the BPMV to modulate brake pressure to each caliper, as needed.
On early C5s the EBCM/BPMV are located in the rear of the car ... almost next to the differential ..... IIRC it was sometime in the 1998 year that the system moved to the engine compartment.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 230
Likes: 17
From: Henrico VA
Brake Bleeder
Older style EMS style suction units work great for changing or bleeding your brake fluid. I use a unit like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Impact-Sucti...3286.m20.l1116
In my 2000 I use Motorcraft Dot 3, it has the hightest boiling point of any Dot 3. Start by sucking out most of the old fluid from the master cyl. and replace it with new. Always use freashly opened brake fluid. You will need a double christmass tree adaptor (less than a buck from any EMS supply catalog) to adapt the suction hose to the correct size I.D. fuel hose needed to fit snugly over the wheel cyl. bleeder valve. Then start sucking, first from the Right Rear, until clear (while a freind keeps the master cyl topped off). Move to the Left Rear, than the Right Front, than the Left Front. Be carefull not to build up too much pressure or the collection cannister will crack, about 450 mm/Hg is plenty (buy one like the impact with a adjustable manifold pressure). Good luck.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Impact-Sucti...3286.m20.l1116
In my 2000 I use Motorcraft Dot 3, it has the hightest boiling point of any Dot 3. Start by sucking out most of the old fluid from the master cyl. and replace it with new. Always use freashly opened brake fluid. You will need a double christmass tree adaptor (less than a buck from any EMS supply catalog) to adapt the suction hose to the correct size I.D. fuel hose needed to fit snugly over the wheel cyl. bleeder valve. Then start sucking, first from the Right Rear, until clear (while a freind keeps the master cyl topped off). Move to the Left Rear, than the Right Front, than the Left Front. Be carefull not to build up too much pressure or the collection cannister will crack, about 450 mm/Hg is plenty (buy one like the impact with a adjustable manifold pressure). Good luck.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,285
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From: Fort St John B.C
Open up the engine compartment .... driver's side ..... at the front of the engine, down low, you'll see what looks like an aluminum "block" with steel brake lines coming out of the top. The lines have different colors of paint daubed on them and the BPMV that the factory folks use to get the right line in the right hole.
Attached to the right side of the BPMV (as viewed from behind) is the EBCM. They are bolted together so that it looks like one unit.
The EBCM is the computer that controls functions such as ABS, Traction Control, and even Magnasteer. The EBCM commands the BPMV by controlling power to the pump, and using solenoids to open and close valves within the BPMV to modulate brake pressure to each caliper, as needed.
On early C5s the EBCM/BPMV are located in the rear of the car ... almost next to the differential ..... IIRC it was sometime in the 1998 year that the system moved to the engine compartment.
Attached to the right side of the BPMV (as viewed from behind) is the EBCM. They are bolted together so that it looks like one unit.
The EBCM is the computer that controls functions such as ABS, Traction Control, and even Magnasteer. The EBCM commands the BPMV by controlling power to the pump, and using solenoids to open and close valves within the BPMV to modulate brake pressure to each caliper, as needed.
On early C5s the EBCM/BPMV are located in the rear of the car ... almost next to the differential ..... IIRC it was sometime in the 1998 year that the system moved to the engine compartment.
thought it was in there somewhere but didnt mess with any that stuff when I removed my MC and bled the lines. (The fluid in there was dis-gus-ting!!!!)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 793
From: Longview Texas
I think the EBCM circuits are normally closed, so you should be able to manually bleed the brakes without opening the circuits with a TECH 2.
I replaced the master cylinder on my car, and flushed the whole system, and the brakes are as firm as ever.
I replaced the master cylinder on my car, and flushed the whole system, and the brakes are as firm as ever.
