Brake Bleeding
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 29
Likes: 9
From: Nevada
Brake Bleeding
New to the Forum. This is my first post since my introduction. I have started to change the dampener/pully on my 2006 c6. I'm in the process of removing the power steering rack to access the dampener. I refuse to bend the brake lines like a lot of people demonstrate on You Tube. I would rather disconnect them. My question, is there any special bleeding procedure with the anti lock brake system. I have bled brakes many times, but not with anti-lock, anti/skid systems. I have a Motive Brake bleeder system. Thanks in advance. SB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
New to the Forum. This is my first post since my introduction. I have started to change the dampener/pully on my 2006 c6. I'm in the process of removing the power steering rack to access the dampener. I refuse to bend the brake lines like a lot of people demonstrate on You Tube. I would rather disconnect them. My question, is there any special bleeding procedure with the anti lock brake system. I have bled brakes many times, but not with anti-lock, anti/skid systems. I have a Motive Brake bleeder system. Thanks in advance. SB
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I believe that you need a special electrical tool to activate the valves in the ABS in order to get all the old fluid/air out. If you're disconnecting a line after the abs, you should be able to get the air out with conventional methods. It may be a good idea to go to a competent shop with the correct tools and knowledge after you've completed your project. Not a high $$ procedure, but you want to make sure they do it right.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 247
From: Seattle, WA
I recently changed the brake fluid on my 2008 Base Z51 using the Motive bleeder. I started bleeding at the furthest caliper from the master cylinder - RR, LR, RF, LF.
1 track day since and no issues.
1 track day since and no issues.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 443
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by Chukman
I recently changed the brake fluid on my 2008 Base Z51 using the Motive bleeder. I started bleeding at the furthest caliper from the master cylinder - RR, LR, RF, LF.
1 track day since and no issues.
1 track day since and no issues.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 247
From: Seattle, WA
I pushed fresh fluid through each caliper with the RR, LR, RF, LF sequence I performed. But if I should have followed LR, RF, RR, LF what's the potential downside that I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 443
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by Chukman
gsflyer2011 - To clarify, is my 2008 considered an older vehicle among the C6 years or should I be following the sequence that 61X specified.
I pushed fresh fluid through each caliper with the RR, LR, RF, LF sequence I performed. But if I should have followed LR, RF, RR, LF what's the potential downside that I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.
I pushed fresh fluid through each caliper with the RR, LR, RF, LF sequence I performed. But if I should have followed LR, RF, RR, LF what's the potential downside that I should be aware of? Thanks in advance.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 130
I also use a Motive speed bleeder master cylinder cap hooked up to my air compressor at 5-10psi. That pushes the fluid through without needing a helper. Just do not let the fluid level get low in the master cylinder! Top it off after every single bleeder screw.
Last edited by dmk0210; Jul 12, 2021 at 02:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 769
From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Brakes
New to the Forum. This is my first post since my introduction. I have started to change the dampener/pully on my 2006 c6. I'm in the process of removing the power steering rack to access the dampener. I refuse to bend the brake lines like a lot of people demonstrate on You Tube. I would rather disconnect them. My question, is there any special bleeding procedure with the anti lock brake system. I have bled brakes many times, but not with anti-lock, anti/skid systems. I have a Motive Brake bleeder system. Thanks in advance. SB
Last edited by 2008 Corvette; Jul 12, 2021 at 08:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 29
Likes: 9
From: Nevada
Finished the project of replacing the harmonic dampener/pulley. Brake bleeding went easily. The project over all was pretty tough I would hate to have to do to many of them. vehicle is finished and back on the road. SB
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
This is not an easy job.Just to add to the knowledge base. Old school says to bleed the furthest master first and so on. That means RR-LR-RF-LF from the perspective of sitting in the car. Does it matter? I don't know, but I've always done it this way and never had a problem. If you have a Motive pressure bleeder and you're in doubt do it both ways and you can't go wrong, it's just the cost of brake fluid.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,564
Likes: 1,098
From: Ex DPRK, now just N of Medford, OR
Much superstition, myth and legend in auto repair.
After bleeding the brakes on hundreds, maybe thousands (literally!) of cars (it gets boring pretty fast....), I've tried every sequence imaginable
Never found it to make one iota of difference.
Same as bleeding a master cylinder, I've had good luck getting air out the ABS module with the pump-and-hold, crack the line open method.
One at a time, start at the master and work downstream.
Be prepared to catch the little spurt of brake fluid, and you can rinse off any spilled with water.
After bleeding the brakes on hundreds, maybe thousands (literally!) of cars (it gets boring pretty fast....), I've tried every sequence imaginable
Never found it to make one iota of difference.
Same as bleeding a master cylinder, I've had good luck getting air out the ABS module with the pump-and-hold, crack the line open method.
One at a time, start at the master and work downstream.
Be prepared to catch the little spurt of brake fluid, and you can rinse off any spilled with water.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 79
Likes: 38
Just a FYI, Autel make a hand scan (MaxiCheck Pro) tool that does full 4pt ABS electronic bleeding. I paid about $170 for it. Worked great on my 2006 Z06. I changed my calipers to Wildwoods w/SST line and also replaced the brake MC.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,047
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From: Columbus Ohio
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 542
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
What I always do when I remove a brake line fitting is to cap the upstream end using a rubber vacuum cap. I also keep the brake fluid high in the reservoir.
If I read your post correctly the brake fittings you need to remove are downstream from the ABS system.
If no air gets into the system you should not have an issue.
If I read your post correctly the brake fittings you need to remove are downstream from the ABS system.
If no air gets into the system you should not have an issue.
Last edited by Keppler; Mar 31, 2023 at 11:05 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
it makes no difference how you do it unless the system has been syphoned completely. dry. I've been tracking corvettes for 30 years, and only needed an ABS bleed 1 time even after extensive engine replacements etc. A little baggy and rubber band over the ends will prevent losing enough fluid to drain he ABS