Problem bleeding brakes??? Help.

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Apr 8, 2004 | 04:25 PM

C5 YA

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Melting Slicks

Joined: May 1999

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From: Tewksbury MA

Problem bleeding brakes??? Help.

I bought some new (Earls) stainless steel brakes along w/ powder coated calipers.

I tried bleeding the brakes, but the pedal pressure is horrible.
I went thru about 80oz of fluid and still the pedal pressure sux!!!

First, am I bleeding the system correct?
RearRight, RearLeft, FrontRight, LeftRight

Start by pressing the brake pedal, loosen the bleeder, the brake pedal falls down and while holding it, tighten the bleeder. Wait 15 sec and start procedure over again. I don't see any air bubbles and am baffled to the cause.

Could it be the ss lines?

Apr 8, 2004 | 05:57 PM

Bruceatlam

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Newport Beach Ca

Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (C5 YA)

Check Tech Tips to see if that might be of some help. There's an article on there entitled "Bureau of Automotive Repair Brake Bleeding ---- ".

I think you might have aproblem with that "LeftRight" one. :D

[Modified by Bruceatlam, 10:59 PM 4/8/2004]

Apr 8, 2004 | 08:00 PM

vettenuts

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 1999

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From: At the beach in little Rhody

Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (Bruceatlam)

Shouldn't be the lines. Did you let the master cylinder get low at any point in the process? If not, you may simply have have some bubble trapped in the caliper if you let them drain during the installation of the lines. You may want to try a simple gravity bleed.

Apr 8, 2004 | 08:06 PM

Patches

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Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Lake Elsinore, CA

Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (C5 YA)

Make sure your caliper bleed plugs are on top. The air can't escape if they're on the bottom. If they're on the bottom, you'll need to swap sides.

Apr 8, 2004 | 09:14 PM

chrislee2

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From: Dunstable MA

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Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (C5 YA)

I just did this same thing 2 weeks ago. The only thing I can add is that I had someone helping me watching the fluid come out. I used the super blue fluid so it was very clear when the new fluid made it through to the brake. And Each time it took 4-6 full pumps on my brake pedal to flush the system over to the new fluid.

If your brake is still spongy, you might want to do a few "ABS" stops and then try to bleed again since there may be air in your ABS modules.

Chris

Apr 8, 2004 | 11:13 PM

C5 YA

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Melting Slicks

Joined: May 1999

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From: Tewksbury MA

Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (chrislee2)

I kept the Brake MC full at all times so that's not the problem. I installed the calipers correctly according to the Service manual so that can't be it. I'll try the "Bureau of Automotive Repair Brake Bleeding" procedure tomorrow and see how that works. However, I thought you did not want to pump the brakes w/ the bleeder open cause it introduced air into the system, unless u had speed bleeders.

Apr 8, 2004 | 11:23 PM

WanganVette

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Homobrook NY

Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (C5 YA)

:auto:

Apr 8, 2004 | 11:33 PM

corvette dave

Melting Slicks

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From: USA

Re: Problem bleeding brakes??? Help. (C5 YA)

Quote:

However, I thought you did not want to pump the brakes w/ the bleeder open cause it introduced air into the system, unless u had speed bleeders.

Not really true.
I have bled brakes by myself for many years. If you keep the hose immersed in fluid you should not have a problem. I have also used hoses with one-way valves.
You don't want to get crazy with the pumping, though. Just nice slow even pumps.
I usually do 20 pumps per wheel when flushing.
Dave