Bleeding Brakes??
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 45
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From: Springfield Georgia
Bleeding Brakes??
I have a 1998 and just installed new brake pads. It seemed like before I installed the new pads that the left front caliper was working more cause I always noticed alot more brake dust and the pads were worn down more when I took them off. How do I need to bleed the brakes. What order and is it the same process as all other brake applications. I am asking cause I've never worked on ABS brakes. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
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From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Bleeding Brakes?? (1998NassauBlue)
Pretty much the same as always-
Start at the Right rear, then the left rear, then the right front, then the left front... At least I think that's the order... :smash:
I bought one of the those handy little bleeder kits at Sears- a small bottle with a hose sticking out of it. Lets me bleed them alone if I need to.
Start at the Right rear, then the left rear, then the right front, then the left front... At least I think that's the order... :smash:
I bought one of the those handy little bleeder kits at Sears- a small bottle with a hose sticking out of it. Lets me bleed them alone if I need to.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Bleeding Brakes?? (1998NassauBlue)
If it's a 2001 or newer, the bleeding sequence is different - RR, LF, LR, RF. I bought this pressure bleeder from Motive for one-man bleeding for about $40. Works great. No pumping or refilling required. Just fill it, hook it up, pump up the pressure and go from one caliper to the next and you're done in no time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Re: Bleeding Brakes?? (1998NassauBlue)
Nassau,
I am not sure that bleeding will solve your dusting problem.
The left front piston may be sticking, causing the pads to drag on the rotor.
Or the right front piston might be sticking causing the left side to do most of the work.
Probably the left front pistons are sticking.
If that is the case, rebuild kits are inexpensive.
I have lubricated the pistons while thay are still in the calipers and pushed them in and out several times. Usually will take care of a sticking piston.
Not the recommended way but on a 1998 car it may work.
Dave
I am not sure that bleeding will solve your dusting problem.
The left front piston may be sticking, causing the pads to drag on the rotor.
Or the right front piston might be sticking causing the left side to do most of the work.
Probably the left front pistons are sticking.
If that is the case, rebuild kits are inexpensive.
I have lubricated the pistons while thay are still in the calipers and pushed them in and out several times. Usually will take care of a sticking piston.
Not the recommended way but on a 1998 car it may work.
Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Bleeding Brakes?? (corvette dave)
Another likely thing is the caliper slides are frozen up so the caliper can't move properly. You push on the brakes the piston moves out but the caliper doesn't move so you only get braking from one of the pads instead of both of them.
One thing you should be able to notice if you have a caliper or piston problem is some severe brake pull in the steering when you are making a hard stop.
Bill
[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 12:41 AM 1/21/2003]
One thing you should be able to notice if you have a caliper or piston problem is some severe brake pull in the steering when you are making a hard stop.
Bill
[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 12:41 AM 1/21/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Re: Bleeding Brakes?? (Bill Dearborn)
:iagree: Corvette Dave is I think on the right track.. Sounds like something not moving properly. Slides/pins etc. Look further. Brake dust on one indicates to me that that disk is working, but the other is not. Air in the lines would be equal in the system and not be that big an affect on dusting. :)
vettdvr 99 Nassau Blue HP axle and all the bells and whistles.
I do have one small sticker on the dr/side hatch window. Remember 9/11
vettdvr 99 Nassau Blue HP axle and all the bells and whistles.
I do have one small sticker on the dr/side hatch window. Remember 9/11
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: IL
Re: Bleeding Brakes?? (jimcork1)
:iagree:
I've seen the pistons develop a rust ridge when they have come out far due to worn pads, and then not changed for a while. As far as the pins, I would either clean up the ones you got real well, or replace them. I usually clean them up on a wire wheel on a grinder and then lube them real well with some good grease, and the test them to make sure they slide real well. I also would try to clean the outside of the piston off before compressing it back into the caliper. Brake Cleaner always works well also for cleaning the brake dust off. Really, there should be no air in the system unless it has been physically opened up to let air in.
I've seen the pistons develop a rust ridge when they have come out far due to worn pads, and then not changed for a while. As far as the pins, I would either clean up the ones you got real well, or replace them. I usually clean them up on a wire wheel on a grinder and then lube them real well with some good grease, and the test them to make sure they slide real well. I also would try to clean the outside of the piston off before compressing it back into the caliper. Brake Cleaner always works well also for cleaning the brake dust off. Really, there should be no air in the system unless it has been physically opened up to let air in.
