Topic: New Brakes
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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I just finished putting on all new Calipers, Rotors,Hoses and Rear Lines yesterday. Stopped and picked up my rebuilt master cylinder today. I put it on when I got home and used the little hoses and got all the air out of the master cylinder. Hooked up lines and began bleeding the system. I have a lot of pressure at both front calipers but not much at the rear. Did I do something wrong. The fluid I'm catching out of the rears is kind of grey.
Lonnie
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Newark, CA - USA
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Did you start at the rear? Might have air in the lines still. Start at R/R, move over to L/R, then front right, and end with left front.
Hope that helps
Hope that helps

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The rears do not take as much pressure as the fronts, to start with. The proportioning valve sees to that.
While bleeding, pressure is not a factor, anyway, really. What you're trying to do is get all of the air out. More pressure won't make that happen any faster.
The best way to bleed them, as I've said(and many others, also) befo, is to use a pressure bleeder. Pumping the pedal just doesn't do that good a job on Corvettes.
Remember, too, that there are two bleeders on the rear calipers, and both sides must be bled. Start with the bleeder on the outside first, then the inside. RR/LR/RF/LF is the correct order.
It sounds like you just still have air in the system. The weird color of the fluid is prolly just poop being flushed from all of the new parts, so you really shouldn't worry about that. Once you have a steady supply of fresh fluid getting to the calipers, it will be a nice, tan color...depending on what type of fluid you're using.
While bleeding, pressure is not a factor, anyway, really. What you're trying to do is get all of the air out. More pressure won't make that happen any faster.

The best way to bleed them, as I've said(and many others, also) befo, is to use a pressure bleeder. Pumping the pedal just doesn't do that good a job on Corvettes.
Remember, too, that there are two bleeders on the rear calipers, and both sides must be bled. Start with the bleeder on the outside first, then the inside. RR/LR/RF/LF is the correct order.
It sounds like you just still have air in the system. The weird color of the fluid is prolly just poop being flushed from all of the new parts, so you really shouldn't worry about that. Once you have a steady supply of fresh fluid getting to the calipers, it will be a nice, tan color...depending on what type of fluid you're using.

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The system was completly empty and I'm using the synthetic fluid. I did not start in the right order. So I'll let it set overnight and do it in the right order tomorrow. I'll call my parts store to see if they have a pressure bleeder to rent.
There was a thread here last week on how to make your own pressure bleeder, in case you don't find one to rent or borrow.


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[QUOTE=dwright] There was a thread here last week on how to make your own pressure bleeder, in case you don't find one to rent or borrow.[/QUOTE]
Here is the link to the Build your own unit.
PRESSUERE BLEEDER
Here is the link to the Build your own unit.

PRESSUERE BLEEDER
Yesterday I bought a vacume bleeder. I could not rent or borrow a pressure bleeder anywhere. It worked pretty well to get the majority of the air out but after that I put the son in the drivers seat to pump on the final go around. I have got great pedal and could not believe how much air is in an empty brake system. Put on the new shocks and a set of original ralley wheels I got from Randy @ Yesterday's Corvettes in Colorado with new 255-60-15 TA's. Maybe drive around the block this weekend. Thanks guys for all the help.
Lonnie
bio11
Lonnie,
I bought a Vacuum Pump Kit today from Auto Zone ($29.99).
The instructions say to start with the brake closest to the master cylinder, which for us would be front left.
That is the opposite from everything I have read so far.
My guess is that sucking the air out is different than pressing the air out.
Did you start with the closest brake or the farthest?
Also, with a vacuum pump, do you need to keep the cover on the master cylinder? I know that as you draw brake fluid out of the bleeders, you need to top off the MC, so it would be simpler if you don't have to keep putting the cover back on.
Any tips would be helpful.


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The old school rule is"start at the furthest wheel first,and work your way back to the closest",assa way Ive always done it,you only need to put the cover back on ,if your pumpin the pedal,cause when you pump them and let off the pedal,the fluid returns to the master cyl under pressure and will blow out of the master cyl,widout the cover on
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