This is embarrassing.I replaced my entire rear drum brake system.All new SS lines and hoses etc.I am having trouble finding a suitable bleeder wrench for the wheel cylinders.The ones at NAPA and so forth just don't work.Also will bleeding the rear line under the proportioning valve purge the master cylinder.
I would really appreciate some help with this.My 1st bleeding attempt was unsuccessful.on test drive rears not working and proportioning valve very hot.

 

It's tight, but you can fit a regular open-ended wrench in there (9mm if i recall correctly) to loosen the bleeder screws.

What do you mean by "purge the master cylinder"? What are you trying to do?

 

I just bled my brakes due to replacing a master cylinder and a front passenger side brake hose. I have a 1983 TransAm with rear drums and front disks.

The rear bleed nipples were 8mm and easy to loosen with a 8mm socket attached to a 3/8ths ratchet.

The front bleed nipples were 10mm.

dzimmerm

 

http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdbrak02.html

It requires a deeper offset wrench then normal. I have one I bought at Checker, and it not deep enough. (and yes it's 8mm)

I guess you can use a socket, but unless you have self bleeders, it's going to make a mess!

You might check Sears, or run over to your local GM dealership, and see if they have one.

BTW: I do have self bleeders, and I use a socket to open & close that sucker. I had problems with Earls jamming up in the cylinders, so I would almost recommend Russell. I tried them on my Vette with no problems, but I wrap them up tight with Teflon tape though.

Ron

 

ronterry,

Glad I could help on the size. I used one of the simple one man bleeding systems though I had my son in law helping. What I did was after bleeding and finding no air bubbles I quickly removed the tube from the end of the bleed nipple and put my finger over it. I then moved the socket into position and removed my finger as the socket went over the nipple. A quick tighten and I was done.

I think I will visit harbor freight and pick up a deep well 8mm end wrench to use for this in the future as it would be better to not have to work so quickly when tightening the bleed nipple.

As long as you are not releasing the brake pedal you will not get air sucked into the slave cylinder. The system would normally gravity feed out of the bleed nipple if the master cylinder was not pressurized at the time you remove the tube and go to tighten the nipple. It worked for me, anyway, .

I appreciate TomP's advice as it has been of great help in my trials. I just got done going through two different master cylinders from Advance Auto parts. Both of those cylinders would not seal the front brake line coming out of the master cylinder. I finally got a third cylinder from Auto Zone and it had larger diameter fittings coming out of the master cylinder. Once I got the proper brass fittings to go into the Master Cylinder I was finally able to complete my brake repairs.

I still need to replace the drivers side brake hose. The passenger side hose was very frayed though not leaking. I replaced it and then found some fraying on the drivers side hose while going through the bleeding process.

Good luck with your 82!

dzimmerm