C8 Brake Bleeding
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 975
Likes: 108
From: Phoenix, AZ
It did not work for me for the first time. So, I started all over again with disconnecting the neg. terminal and re-bled the brakes, RR, LR, RF, and LF. Reconnected the neg terminal. Pumped the brakes and restarted the car. All the same waring lights returned. Then I followed the procedure as described earlier. Restarted the car and the icons disappeared for the yellow engine icon.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by bhk2; Feb 8, 2025 at 03:54 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 848
Likes: 419
From: Ma
To clear the brake codes, push the start button without stepping on the brake petal to power up the car. Do not start the engine. Then press firmly down on the brake pedal for 20-30 seconds. You will hear clicking noise during this process. When the clicking stops you can start the car and the brakes will be reset , the codes cleared and warning lights gone.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 1,059
From: Chattanooga tn
GM may say not to vacuum bleed but I have done it on my c8 z06 with success but I also keep a close eye on fluid level and have a gravity feed connected. Yes, you CAN vacuum bleed. May not be what they recommend but I was able to do it successfully with my CCB rotor change.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 146
Likes: 36
From: Edina, MN
To clear the brake codes, push the start button without stepping on the brake petal to power up the car. Do not start the engine. Then press firmly down on the brake pedal for 20-30 seconds. You will hear clicking noise during this process. When the clicking stops you can start the car and the brakes will be reset , the codes cleared and warning lights gone.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 40
Likes: 16
I just replaced my brake fluid (Castrol SRF) using a Motive power bleeder. You really have to be careful with the power bleeder caps. In my case it was very difficult to seat properly. The result is the cap blew off of under pressure. I was at the rear brake caliper at the time. The air pressure aerosolized the brake fluid into a large fog of fine droplets. I spent some time cleaning brake fluid up (washed the car) that settled on the car and the garage. A day and a half later, I experienced the first symptoms of chemical lung irritation. The MSDS for the brake fluid does not show a lot of toxic effects. Still pretty bad though with heavy cough and low grade fever lasting over 5 days. I suggest the use of an N95 mask just in case.
Last edited by Ultima Guy; Apr 23, 2025 at 02:25 PM. Reason: Typo Correction
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,774
Likes: 2,210
From: Sammamish, WA
For that very reason, most folks never fill the motive with the fluid. The reservoir is already pretty large and you can easily bleed the brakes using only air in the tool, and refilling the reservoir once or twice during the whole process.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 40
Likes: 16
Actually, I didn't use the Motive reservoir. I used a filter, air/water separator and regulator assembly (15 PSI) attached to my air compressor and then to the Motive cap.
The aerosolized brake fluid came from the brake reservoir that was full at the time.
The aerosolized brake fluid came from the brake reservoir that was full at the time.
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,774
Likes: 2,210
From: Sammamish, WA
I see. In your case, you have 'constant' 15 PSI, which was probably enough to atomize the fluid. I use the motive bleeder can in my case, and in rare cases when it failed, its pressure was quickly depleted, preventing any such issue. I should also note, I only add 10-12 PSI..
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 383
Likes: 80
From: Charlotte, NC
Yeah I didn’t fill the motiv reservoir the first two times I filled the main reservoir as I wanted to make sure all the old fluid was gone. Then I did fill it for the main flush on all four corners but realized you really don’t need to as the main reservoir is quite large.
When doing a flush the second time, how much do you pull through each bleeder on each corner? I was doing 10 oz per corner. 8oz on the front bleeder and 2oz on the rear one. Not sure I need to use that much just to flush it?
When doing a flush the second time, how much do you pull through each bleeder on each corner? I was doing 10 oz per corner. 8oz on the front bleeder and 2oz on the rear one. Not sure I need to use that much just to flush it?