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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / April 2007

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Brake Bleeding problems

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Joel - 20 Apr 2007 16:09 GMT
I'm trying to bleed the brakes on my 1984 Ranger, each time my
'helper' pumps the breaks I get additional air through the line on the
right rear break, does this mean that the master cylinder is in need
of replacement?

This all stems from the front LH hub (yes the entire hub) coming off
while driving... so the brakes were hit pretty hard and air definitely
got into the system.

Thanks.
Rodan - 20 Apr 2007 20:09 GMT
"Joel"  wrote:        (1984 Ranger)

I'm trying to bleed the brakes, each time my
helper pumps them I get additional air through
the line on the right rear brake.   Does the
master cylinder need to be replaced?
______________________________________

Are you closing the bleed valve before letting
the helper release the brake?    If the valve is
left open, air can be drawn back into the line
when the brake is released.

Is the fluid reservoir full?    During brake bleeding,
the reservoir must be repeatedly refilled with fluid
or it will run dry and draw in air.    This will force
more air into the brake line being bled.

Are all of the other line connections tight?  Air
could also be drawn into the master cylinder
from a loose line connection to another wheel
or another line being cracked, or another wheel
bleed valve being left open.

Good luck.

Rodan.
HLS@nospam.nix - 20 Apr 2007 20:23 GMT
> I'm trying to bleed the brakes on my 1984 Ranger, each time my
> 'helper' pumps the breaks I get additional air through the line on the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> while driving... so the brakes were hit pretty hard and air definitely
> got into the system.

Since each piston of a dual master cylinder supplies two wheels,
and you only see bubbles at one wheel, I would suspect that you
are just not getting the air out of that one.

Some dual master cylinders are known for being hard to purge
totally, but it is possible to do it without the aid of pressure
bleeders if you are using the right technique.

When you get the system bled as well as you can, and pump up
the master cylinder and hold pressure on it, what happens? If
it holds the pressure, then that usually indicates a good
master cylinder.  If it pumps up, but holds only for a short time
and then the pedal moves toward the floor, that usually means
the MC is a goner.
Ray - 20 Apr 2007 20:40 GMT
>> I'm trying to bleed the brakes on my 1984 Ranger, each time my
>> 'helper' pumps the breaks I get additional air through the line on the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> while driving... so the brakes were hit pretty hard and air definitely
>> got into the system.

Is it possible you have another break in the line somewhere?
My race car was doing the same thing and we found another break in the
hardline going back to the master cylinder.

If the brakes were fine before, I'd go on the assumption that the
problem is air getting in somehow either through another break in the
line or air still trapped in the line going to the other wheel.
(for example if a bleeder screw was left open)

Ray
Joel - 22 Apr 2007 21:32 GMT
> >> I'm trying to bleed the brakes on my 1984 Ranger, each time my
> >> 'helper' pumps the breaks I get additional air through the line on the
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Ray

Thanks for all of the input, I think that the possibility of pumping
air back into the system is what is happening, I get a solid pedal
when all bleeders are closed and the breaks are pumped up.  I'll check
the rest of the lines and look for any leaks, I don't think that it is
the case.  I started the project out with pump... hold... bleed...
lock down... pump hold bleed... lock down.... I got impatient and read
the back of the brake bleeder package... which stated.. "pump until
the there are no more air bubles - don't let the MC run dry... "... So
I changed tactics... and one wheel worked perfect... the other did
not.  I'll go back to my old method and let you know how it went.

Thank you for the input!  Greatly appreciated.

Joel
Nate Nagel - 22 Apr 2007 22:01 GMT
>>>>I'm trying to bleed the brakes on my 1984 Ranger, each time my
>>>>'helper' pumps the breaks I get additional air through the line on the
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> Joel

Get some windshield washer tubing, or better yet, some clear tubing
about the same size, push that over the bleeder screw and let it dangle
in a 20oz. soda bottle (or other similar container) while bleeding.  Not
only does that keep the brake fluid from running down your nice, freshly
painted suspension parts but also it will remove any possibility of
sucking air back into the wheel cylinder on the upstroke, save for
around the bleeder threads.  Thus you can omit tightening down the
bleeder screw for all but the last few pumps.

good luck,

nate

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Marsh Monster - 23 Apr 2007 01:12 GMT
=====
=====
> > >> I'm trying to bleed the brakes on my 1984 Ranger, each time my
> > >> 'helper' pumps the breaks I get additional air through the line on the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Joel- Hide quoted text -

=======
=======
 "IF"......ALL.....the other wheels are bleeding out good,
no air....then....
you CAN isolate the problem to the RR Braking system.
(From where the line starts to cylinder)

Now....
IF the line..AND...its connections are good...
then...

air is still in that section of the system (very doubtfull)

the bleeder is not seating (possible, but doubtfull)

the cylinder is sucking the air in. (very likely)

the rear brakes are not adjusted up. (very likely)

Facts,not fiction.
(based on the facts you posted)

anywhooo.....
Before you go pulling your hair out, make SURE the rear
brakes ARE adjusted correctly or you will spend wasted
hours trying to figure out why they won't bleed out.

again,
Fact, not fiction

Logic would lend to the fact, that if the master cyl. was
allowing air to one wheel, it would allow air to another.

Logic would lend to the fact, that air in ONLY one wheel
can be isolated to that section by eliminating the components
one at a time.

the facts sir,
jest the facts.

~:~
MarshMonster
~sips his crown n coke~
~:~
Joel - 24 Apr 2007 15:47 GMT
> =====
> =====
[quoted text clipped - 69 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -

Excellent information.  I will follow-up with checking the adjustments
on the rear breaks.

FYI... I found that the right front break line -> flex line was loose,
this appears to be the largest problem.

Thank you all for your help.  Great information and extremely helpful.
 
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