I'm looking for someone in the redmond/bellevue area that will bleed the brakes on my 08 Z06 and replace the front rotors.

Any pointers would be appreciated (Except a pointer to speedware! )

 

I've heard that www.cantrellmotorsport.com in Kirkland is good but I have not used them as yet.

They have never returned my e-mails.

 

Ah, thank you!

I bought a Recaro Profi XL from them. I may give them a shot!

 

Call Chris in service at Biddle Chevrolet in Bothell. Have used their service dept. several times always with good results. A class act.

 

Rick Stark Enterprises (Kirkland)

 

Rick Stark was my first try. He bled my brakes and did a great job last time.

However, calling his number leads to a different business! I searched high and low for a different one.

I was going to drive down there but found that Lee Johnson Chevrolet will do it tomorrow (flush brake system) for $100. A bit expensive, but there is a tech there Brian that I have worked with on a squeak and was very impressed at his determination and the way he carries himself. He will be working on my car tomorrow.

 

Took my 08 Z to Lee J's for a dead passenger outer door switch and Brian Sessions treated me like their one and only customer. Dropped everything he was doing and serviced my car immediately. Brian eagerness to help and fix your Corvette gets a big thumbs up from me. Best Vette tech I've come across.

 

Have you considered doing it yourself with help from the people here? A lot of folks here have Motive bleeders or good alternatives. And even the greenest weekend mechanic like myself can change a rotor

 

I agree. Lee Johnson is great. Top notch service.

 

This is a pretty simple thing to do. I have done this before myself and I'm sure others have too. All you need are the parts and new fluid.

- Mark

 

this is a pretty straightforward DIY, all you need is a jack, breaker bar, torque wrench, socket for caliper bolts, socket for the lug nuts, wrench for the bleeder screws and some flexible hose.

might just as well practice, if you track your car you will be doing this often

 

Thanks for the input!

I'm a DIYer, but when it comes to flushing the brakes to put new high temp fluid in, I'm reluctant.

Here is the story: On my last Z ('04) I bought a mity-vac hand pump/sucker along with SuperBlue fluid and was determined to flush the brake fluid myself. I put the tube on the bleeder that barely stayed on and pumped. Fluid barely came out and I had to get the bleeder just right otherwise the air would suck from the screw and not pull out any fluid.

Then, I was super nervous of introducing air into the ABS that I too frequently got off my back from under the car and checked the reservoir for fluid. Then got down on my back again, slid under the car, pumped more and so on.

Today, for $100 bucks and 1 hour wait time at Lee Johnson, it was worth it However, the reservoir still had black fluid in it, there was fluid on the master cylinder and Brian "didn't work on that kind of thing" so I was a little disappointed, but happy with the pedal pressure.

I was thinking there has to be a better way to do it myself, I know I wasn't using a good enough tool to do the job.

What I'd like to have is a reservoir to fill the reservoir, and a better sucker that fits on the bleed screw. Or, something that pushes fluid from the top so I can monitor the fluid level, then flush like a mo fo

 

One word for you: Motive
That's how we all do it.

 

there is no better way than doing it yourself. your life depends on your brakes and there is no better person in the world to take care of it.

forget the bleeders. i don't trust them - but then again, I don't trust speed shops, certified mechanics or dealer service "professionals" and I always double and triple check their work when I can. your experience is an example. get some speedbleeder screws or a trusted friend. pumping the pedal is a good excersize

sounds like you got a chevy special from LeeJ - I am not surprised. If you want to hook up next week in the evening and take care of it the right way, feel free to PM me.

 

Wonder why Brian didn't work on your car. He's their resident Vette tech.

When I flush my brake fluid I use a pressure bleeder. Similar to what you are describing in that the new brake fluid is pumped under pressure from a reservoir into the cars reservoir. As you loosen the bleeder screw at each caliper the brake fluid is forced from the reservoir in the car through the lines and out the caliper thus purging that particular line or circuit of any air. Makes changing the fluid a one person job and very easy. Your also able to remove and replace all the old fluid this way. I'm going to be flushing the brake fluid in my daughters car here in the next few weeks and your welcome to see how it works if you like.

 

Thanks guys!

longdaddy and NW94Z, very kind of you to offer a demo!

I went to the motive site from errances tip and found a video of how to do the bleeding. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0h5bMoW-aw The tech is a little sloppy in the vid in that he holds the can of fluid over the fender w/no protection, but I got the idea of what hes doing

Your so right that we are our own best mechanics.

I was installing front rotors on my Z last night and the rotors came with paint on there as a protectant. I was thinking, if a "professional" was doing this, they would probably slap the damn rotors on, drive around and let the brake pads clean off the paint .

Needless to say, I'm ordering up a Motive Bleeder

What kind do you guys suggest? I see a GM/Late model Ford one and a GM rectangular Bi-Level Bleeder Kit that looks like somethign that would work but I'm unsure. the Motive website

 

I believe this is the kit I have:
http://store.motiveproducts.com/shar...unt2=133475899

Allows me to do late model GM and the older rectangular style.

If your only going to be using it for your Z then you probably need this Kit:
http://store.motiveproducts.com/shar...unt2=133475899

It's late model GM specific and provides a very solid screw on cap setup whereas mine is more universal.

 

GM/Late model Ford x108 is the one you want for the C6.

The device is intended to be used 'wet': fill it up with fluid and then connect to your car. Most people here use it 'dry': keep the device empty and just use it as an air pump.

The benefits are: no mess, no wasted fluid in the device.

The only drawback is: there is a risk of running your master cylinder empty, at which point you introduce air in the system and need to bleed the whole thing. That risk is more theoretical than anything, it would take a LOT of bleeding to run dry, and some serious lack of attention.

C5 Hardtop: if you feel like a drive to Tacoma, I have a lift and motive bleeder you're welcome to try. Bring longdaddy along and some good beer