Brake Bleeding Problem.

David Conner conner at cfm.ohio-state.edu
Fri Jul 27 11:39:08 EDT 2001


You wrote...
"I need some help diagnosing this brake bleeding problem.

I replaced literally all the brake system in my CGT, (incl MC)...
So, I jumped in the car and the pedal is going all to way to the floor, with 
little or no resistance.

Air trapped in the MC?"

Carlos,
My guess is air in MC.
The following tip is copied from 
http://www.cardone.com/english/club/

"It is recommended that you bench bleed the MC before installation.
 All air must be removed from the master cylinder using the bench bleed
method. 
Failure to do so is the #1 cause of failure and may result in spongy or low
brake pedal; this will void the warranty. 
 Use a wooden dowel or blunt tool
Use only a dowel or blunt tool during bench bleeding. 
Sharp or metal tools can cause damage to the master cylinder piston and
bore. "

So what is this bench bleed kit?
Essentially ... you clamp the MC in a vise.  Run lines/hoses from the brake
line outlets back into the reservoir.  fill reservoir with fluid, then pump
the piston by hand with a wooden dowel.  This will circulate the fluid thru
the piston and back into the reservoir.  Do this until no more air is seen
in the tubes.  To fabricate these return lines you need to get some of the
old lines, cut them off short, and screw the short pieces into the MC
outlets.  Then route clear plastic tubing from the lines into the
reservoir.  Luckily you have some old lines laying around from the
replacement job.

HTH,
Dave C.

I think this bench bleed method is especially important on cars where the
MC is installed at an uphill angle which can trap air in the upper portion
of the MC.






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