I have been having trouble figuring out how to bleed my brakes and need some help. I recently installed some remanufactured calipers on the front which is why I'm bleeding them. Im using 3/16" tubing. The trouble is that no matter how many times I slowly pump the brake pedal, I can't seem to get any brake fluid to come out. I've tried loosening the bleeeder valve more and more but the most that will happen is that some brake fluid will leak out from the threads. What am I doing wrong? Oh and not sure if this is relevant, but the fluid level in the master cylinder doesn't seem to change, it just squirts a little when the brake pedal is depressed.

 

Have someone in the car, fill the master cylinder reservoir, close the cap, make sure all bleed screws are closed, have the person in the car with the car off pump the brake pedal three times (now because you let air into the system will start were you let it in) after the three pumps hold down the pedal, go to the right front wheel and open the bleeder screw,then close it. Continue to keep pumping and bleeding until you get the air out. Now move to the left front, same process.

At this piont you should have most of the air out, so now you can start by bleeding the system correctly. Go to the right rear wheel and bleed as you you just did in the front, next left rear after that right front after that left front.

If for some reason you can not get the air out when you first start with the above, you will need to bleed the master then the proportioning valve. Then follow the above process.

 

You need 2 people. One in the car to pump the pedal slowly a few times and then hold pressure on the pedal. The other loosens the bleeder screw and waits until the pedal reaches the bottom of its travel, then retightens the bleeder screw. Repeat until no air exits the bleeder, just clean fluid. And start with the passenger caliper then do the drivers side.

 

Ol I have tried the above methods and it doesn't look like any air at all is coming out of the bleeder screw on the caliper. Is this a symptom that the master cylinder needs bleeding? I have only had the front calipers disconnected.

 

Here is what I do. First put in speed bleeders. Next put a hose on each bleeder leading to a jar or what ever. Put enough brake fluid to cover end of hose. Open both bleeders, fill master put cover back on. Start car and pump brakes. You will see jars fill with brake fluid. Refill master. I do this 3 or four times. It works great for one person bleeding. The speed bleeders only cost $10.00 for a pair and don't let air back into the sysyem. I do all four wheels (at same time) like this once a year to keep system clean.

 

These cars gravity bleed well. Fill the Master, open two bleed screws at a time and let the fluid run out into a catch pan. Finish with traditinal bleeding to remove any air pockets. You must have bench bled the master first. Or just do like I do and use a pressure bleeder.

 

I have even had a friend over who has bled brakes before. He can't figure out why the brakes won't bleed either. It just doesn't make sense to me. It's like air is escaping somewhere else but I don't know how to figure out where. Any ideas?

 

i have always bled brakes with a vacuum bleeder, a cheap manual hand held one, of you can get some really nice powered ones. Works so much better than messing with pressing the pedal with 2 people.

its possible the flex lines are shot too, but if every wheel is doing it, maybe not.

 

What led you to replacing the Calipers? If you were having braking issues there is most likely another issue. The first think i would do is remove the brake lines from the master cylinder and re-bleed it. If it's not pushing fluid very well then you have a bad seal in the master cylinder; Its no longer creating good pressure and simply needs to be replaced

If the master cylinder bleeds fine then I would check the brake lines closely for any leaking fluid. Also check the rubber brake hoses. The slightest pull or tug on an old hose can break the inner layer of the hose and create a clog that lets little to no fluid through. I would honestly just replace them anyway they are rather inexpensive.

 

Yep probly rubber flex hose disconnect Rubber from steel line on fenderwell and press pedal if fluids coming out of the steel line then replace rubber line do both sides when 1 goes the other shortly follows