Topic: Painless brake bleeding
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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While in the process of reassembling the rear suspension on my 71 it was necessary to bleed the Brake System because I had rebuild the calipers. I remembered that in the past when I was alone I had been able to accomplish this task by gravity bleeding the system and thought it might work on the vette, and it did. Its was simple. I cut two pieces of rubber line (that fit tightly over the bleeder) about 12 inches long. I put both on the RR calipers bleeders and opened the bleeders. The other end of the lines was placed into a clean jar. I opened the master clyinder and made sure that the chamber was full. I let the Fluid drip while I worked on other things but kept an eye on the fluid level. You must not let the chamber bleed dry. I filled the chamber twice then shut the bleeders and switched sides. The drained fluid was pretty dirty at first. When I had bled all the calipers I not only had no air in the lines but had flushed the system. When shutting down I would close the outside bleeder first. I don't know if method is cost effective, I used almost 1/2 a quart of fluid but it works for me. 

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DOWNINGTOWN, PA - USA
Joined: 11/24/2001
Posts: 962
Vette(s): 1969 Monza Red Black Conv / Black Vinal hardtop
454/480 Tremec 5 Speed 308 Posi.Black Leather Interior, PS, PW, Air cond., tilt/tele,AM/FM Cass.-5 Pack CD, Hurst Shifter, side pipes
2004 Yellow convertible with black top and black interior
Henry,
I have heard that gravity bleeding is a good way to do the Vette brakes. As to cost effective.....it has to be cheaper than having the brakes fail and run into something !
I have heard that gravity bleeding is a good way to do the Vette brakes. As to cost effective.....it has to be cheaper than having the brakes fail and run into something !

I have always done the same with a slight variation...
I fill the jar half full of clean brake fluid and then I pump the brakes til no bubbles comes out, I then do this on each caliper, its faster and the clean brake fluid keeps the air from going back into the caliper. the hard part is pumping the brakes and looking at the jar at the same time...
I fill the jar half full of clean brake fluid and then I pump the brakes til no bubbles comes out, I then do this on each caliper, its faster and the clean brake fluid keeps the air from going back into the caliper. the hard part is pumping the brakes and looking at the jar at the same time...
Gravity bleeding is indeed a handy way to go when doing brake work . You can avoid a lot of brake problems by bleeding your complete brake system anually . The brake fluid is hygrscopic and tends to accumulate moisture as indicated by the discolored fluid flushed from the system . The discoloration to a great degree is due to rust formation on the various component surfaces .
Vacuum bleeding is the best way from the stand point of saving time . When the master cylinder has been in place for a long period of time crud or debris builds up in the cylinder bores . These deposits will cause damage to the master cylinder piston seals when bleeding is attempted by pumping the brake pedal . The cylinder piston is pushed over these deposits and the seals that are rather delicate are damaged in the process . The crud is rust buildup and is quite hard and abrasive . In normal operation the master cylinder piston travels but a short distance in its bore . Using the pedal to bleed a system when the components are new will cause no problems at all .
geo
Vacuum bleeding is the best way from the stand point of saving time . When the master cylinder has been in place for a long period of time crud or debris builds up in the cylinder bores . These deposits will cause damage to the master cylinder piston seals when bleeding is attempted by pumping the brake pedal . The cylinder piston is pushed over these deposits and the seals that are rather delicate are damaged in the process . The crud is rust buildup and is quite hard and abrasive . In normal operation the master cylinder piston travels but a short distance in its bore . Using the pedal to bleed a system when the components are new will cause no problems at all .
geo

I have used these and they work well. There are other brands also. Search for speed bleeder and several will show up.
http://www.speedbleeder.com/
|UPDATED|1/16/2003 1:27:37 AM|/UPDATED|
http://www.speedbleeder.com/
|UPDATED|1/16/2003 1:27:37 AM|/UPDATED|
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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