Topic: Help! Brake Caliper Does not Bleed
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Leavenworth, KS - USA
Joined: 1/24/2007
Posts: 426
Vette(s): MM Red 1971 T-top,LS5,4-speed, black leather C5 seats, Hooker sidepipes.
Previous: 64 Coupe, 65 Roadster L76 / N14
Before I waste some time, let me ask the question.
After reinstalling the calipers, I flushed and bled the brakes with my new power bleeder. Works great! But, the RIGHT REAR INSIDE would not bleed. I even tried a little compressed air and nothing from the inside. Not even when removing the bleeder valve. The outside caliper bleeds fine.
Am I going to have to break the caliper down to inspect? Or could it be something simple like a piston not lined up right in the bore? Plugged with something?
The calipers are not that old, but sat around for a couple of months while working on the rear suspension. Of course I had to paint them while I had them off. 
Any ideas before I try to break them apart for inspection?
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You got some crap(technical term) in the caliper half where the bleeder is, most likely. Take the bleeder all the way out, and run a piece of wire down in it, and see if you can dig anything out.
The caliper halves are fed thru two smallish(another technical term) holes in the mating surface. The caliper line goes into the caliper on the back side(rear), and the front side bleeds, so it has to be some kind of trash in the bleeder hole. If you can't get it opened up with a piece of wire, then you'll have to take it apart and clean it....
The caliper halves are fed thru two smallish(another technical term) holes in the mating surface. The caliper line goes into the caliper on the back side(rear), and the front side bleeds, so it has to be some kind of trash in the bleeder hole. If you can't get it opened up with a piece of wire, then you'll have to take it apart and clean it....
Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Leavenworth, KS - USA
Joined: 1/24/2007
Posts: 426
Vette(s): MM Red 1971 T-top,LS5,4-speed, black leather C5 seats, Hooker sidepipes.
Previous: 64 Coupe, 65 Roadster L76 / N14
Thanx Joel, but do you have to be so technical??!! I was afraid of that. I tried the wire thang, but I'll try it one more time B4 I pull it apart. U da man!
I was afraid of that. I tried the wire thang, but I'll try it one more time B4 I pull it apart. U da man!
Former Member
Send PM
Leavenworth, KS - USA
Joined: 1/24/2007
Posts: 426
Vette(s): MM Red 1971 T-top,LS5,4-speed, black leather C5 seats, Hooker sidepipes.
Previous: 64 Coupe, 65 Roadster L76 / N14
Update.
Thanks to Dr. Joel, the wire trick worked and the "crap" in the caliper (Joel's technical term) was de-crapped (a crapectomy???). It is a long story, but in the process, I must have gouged the bore where the bleeder valve fits. Got to try and recitify that if possible (no pun intended), 'cause the bleeder goes in with resistance (not cross-threaded) and it leaks like a screen door in a submarine. When it comes out, it has gouges / scratches on the machined surface. What did I do???
If I can't fix it, I'll be looking for a new caliper. And I just painted them with that expensive epoxy paint too!! 
Can't tell you how many times I've had that caliper off lately!!! It'll make a great paper weight.
Can't tell you how many times I've had that caliper off lately!!! It'll make a great paper weight.This old dog did learn that if you're not driving your Vette much, you should be functioning the brakes every couple of weeks to prevent leakage problems with the seals and bores.
A clear case of "an ounce of (leg) prevention to prevent a ton of hassles!
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Mike, I think it would be hard to mess up the threads in there with just a piece of wire, but... 
It could be you got some crap down in the threads of the caliper where the bleeder goes that is messing the fit up. If there is a small piece of doo-doo(another tech term) down in the seat area, it will leak like that...hopefully that's all it is.
and, yes...."crapectomy" is the correct terminology...
It could be you got some crap down in the threads of the caliper where the bleeder goes that is messing the fit up. If there is a small piece of doo-doo(another tech term) down in the seat area, it will leak like that...hopefully that's all it is.
and, yes...."crapectomy" is the correct terminology...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
another trick i have learned after 20+ of mech is to put tread tape on the bleader after you flush it with brake cleaner and some air if it still leaks you can get a tread chaser at most parts store i had to replace my calipers and the best price on them is advance auto parts the where just over $60 and they had them in stock hope this helps
I hate to put a wrench in but, once u find "crap" there is always a chance that there is still more. Use your wire again and flush without the bleeder in place. Catch the fluid and inspect for more "crap". Do this until you are relatively sure that there is no more "crap" to be found. (These new technical terms r giving me a headache). U can also disconnect the line at the caliper and flush directly though the caliper without going through the whole system. Hope this will help
Jim
Run a small round brush around the threads after you're done then try and screw it in.
Have fun Mike 
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
If you hurt the threads on the bleeder, I would get another one, then clean up the threads the best you can on the caliper. Make sure the threads are cleaned before putting the new bleeder back on.
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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