Bleedin bloody brakes

[Vito117]

I just replaced my rear rotors and calipers.
Everything went OK.
However, I disconected the brake lines to install new calipers. Now my brakes seem to be a bit squishy and loose...I do believe I need to bleed the line?
How do you bleed the lines? I need a procedure here that will make my brakes safe again.
Thanks

 

[89 Gary]

Have someone inside of car apply steady "moderately hard" pressure on the pedal. Then,open the bleeder screw on the rear passenger side and let fluid/air out. When the pedal almost bottoms out then close the bleeder. Keep doing this until you get a "hard" pedal and nothing but fluid is coming out of bleeder. Then do driver side. Keep in mind to start off with your brake fluid reservoir filled and fill again after doing one side. Also,if you push up with your finger-(the rear level sensing valve) it will be much easier to allow the bleeding process. I'd also do the fronts while I was at it to get new fluid in the system. Good luck

<small>[ April 24, 2002, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: 89 Gary ]</small>

 

[viperrt450]

i just got this done a couple of days ago, just bleed the whole system, all 4 calipers, it will work best that way

 

[Bizzy]

viperrt450:
i just got this done a couple of days ago, just bleed the whole system, all 4 calipers, it will work best that way

The car should be level for bleeding the system. Start with the caliper furthest from the master cyl. (rear passenger) then the rear left, the the front passenger, the the front driver's side.

Make sure that you keep an eye on your master cyl. and keep a good level of fluid in there. If it goes dry, you'll play **** getting all the air out of the system.

 

[AutoXSHO]

Don't forget to raise up the driver's rear hub so the rear proportioning switch is engaged. Otherwise you won't get any fluid flow to the rear brakes! That is, if you still have the proportioning valve

If you really want to do yourself a favor, go online and order some speedbleeders.

John V

 

[JonVH]

OK I understand how to do the bleeding & the sequence but I'm confused what is "the rear level sensing valve" & or making sure the "rear proportioning switch is engaged"???
What are these items & where are they located?

 

[AutoSHO]

JonVH:
OK I understand how to do the bleeding & the sequence but I'm confused what is "the rear level sensing valve" & or making sure the "rear proportioning switch is engaged"???
What are these items & where are they located?

When you get under the car there will be a junction where 2 lines come in and 2 lines go out. It will (should) have an arm coming out that attaches to one of the rear control arms. Disconnect the arm and lift it all the way up. Good Luck!

 

[Bizzy]

AutoSHO:
When you get under the car there will be a junction where 2 lines come in and 2 lines go out. It will (should) have an arm coming out that attaches to one of the rear control arms. Disconnect the arm and lift it all the way up. Good Luck!

You can do it that way. To do it without disconnecting stuff is to place something under the rotor so you can gently lower the car til it's in the full rebound position. Then the prop valve will be level and it will bleed easier.

 

[AutoXSHO]

If I understand correctly, I don't think that's a particularly safe way of activating the rear proportioning valve.

I suggest the car be safely on four jackstands. Take your floor jack and carefully raise up the rear hub on the driver's side to normal ride height. This way the car is secure and you can safely work on it.

I'm not trying to be critial, I just don't want anyone to hurt themselves thumbs_u

John V

 

[Bizzy]

Absolutely, I suppose I should have worded it more carefully. Yes, by all means have some other means of support. I didn't mean to have the car's full weight on the one jack or jack stand. Sometimes it's hard to word exactly what you mean. Thanks for adding that very important safety measure.

I might add as well, that it is not impossible to bleed the brakes with the car in a raised position. It just takes a little longer to do. In particular if the rubber brake tubes on the verge of collaps and will be impossible if they are collapsed.