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Wheels Off - Brake Bleeding?

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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 10:34 PM
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Default Wheels Off - Brake Bleeding?

I have to change out types of brake fluid to a high heat formula, so I've got a chore ahead for the weekend.

Can the brakes be bled by just using ramps, or do you have to jack the car up and take the wheels off?

BTW.. this is on a 99 C5 MN6.

~~~Thanks~~~
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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 11:57 PM
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Jack the car up and take the wheels off.

VR
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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by diyguy
I have to change out types of brake fluid to a high heat formula, so I've got a chore ahead for the weekend.

Can the brakes be bled by just using ramps, or do you have to jack the car up and take the wheels off?

BTW.. this is on a 99 C5 MN6.

~~~Thanks~~~
I don't know if you can even get into the caliper with the wheels on. Take the wheels off. Bleed sequence for a 99 is RR LR RF LF
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Old Oct 22, 2004 | 07:13 AM
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I have done it on ramps and even on the floor with no ramps (although it wasn't fun), most of the time it was with the wheels on. The easiest way, obviously is with the wheels off where access to the bleed plug is easiest.
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Old Oct 22, 2004 | 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
I don't know if you can even get into the caliper with the wheels on. Take the wheels off. Bleed sequence for a 99 is RR LR RF LF

It "can" be done. I thought it might be easier, so I tried it. With the front jacked up about 5" i could reach in a do it with speed bleeders, but found that it was more trouble than it was worth. Ramps my be a different story
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Old Oct 22, 2004 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Lancer033
It "can" be done. I thought it might be easier, so I tried it. With the front jacked up about 5" i could reach in a do it with speed bleeders, but found that it was more trouble than it was worth. Ramps my be a different story

The other thing is I like to do a double check and really look over that whole area for leaks tears and anything else you can find. After the bleed is done I have somebody keep pressure on the brake and go around, once more, for a safety check. I don't know how easy that would be to do with the wheels on.
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Old Oct 22, 2004 | 08:30 PM
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Are there any issues with the ABS system when bleeding C5 brakes? My last vehicle was a '95 Firebird (6-cyl) and the manuals recommended against bleeding the brakes at home due to the ABS system sensitivity. I bled them anyway, and also bought a vacuum pump to help bleed the ABS pressure sensor (can't recall the correct name) that's mounted fairly close to the master brake cylinder. Do the same concerns exist with the C5 brakes?

- Wisdom
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Old Oct 22, 2004 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Wisdom
Are there any issues with the ABS system when bleeding C5 brakes? My last vehicle was a '95 Firebird (6-cyl) and the manuals recommended against bleeding the brakes at home due to the ABS system sensitivity. I bled them anyway, and also bought a vacuum pump to help bleed the ABS pressure sensor (can't recall the correct name) that's mounted fairly close to the master brake cylinder. Do the same concerns exist with the C5 brakes?

- Wisdom
Bleeding does not interfere with the ABS, just not a good idea to let the reservoir get dry.

If your first time at a track event, I suggest bleed then go out and activate ABS a few times then rebleed.

http://www.peachstateposse.com/forum...opic.php?t=532
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