Bleeding the master cylinder
#1
Bleeding the master cylinder
My brake pedal goes all the way to the floor. The master cylinder is empty. I'm not sure if some brake component is leaking. I was going to try and bleed the brakes possibly over the weekend.
I checked the repair manual and couldn't find anything on bleeding the master cylinder. However, I'd like to know if the master cylinder needs to be bled as well???
Thanks.
I checked the repair manual and couldn't find anything on bleeding the master cylinder. However, I'd like to know if the master cylinder needs to be bled as well???
Thanks.
#2
If its new you need to bleed it; I just filled mine with fluid, insert a rod in the endand pumped until there weren't any bubbles inside the two chambers; you cam also install lines that are bent so the fluid goes back into the M/C as you apply pressure with a rod. To ensure I had all the air out I pumped mine until I had almost emptied both chambers, then refilled and capped the ends until install.
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I'm sure you'll find the leak as soon as you start pumping. Too much pumping will cause air bubbles. Fill the M/C and push all the way to the floor in one motion. Release pedal, fill again and to the floor again until the M/C is full. Hope I didn't tell you something you already know. Just trying to help. The intake looks great by the way.
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Bench bleeding the master cylinder on these old trucks is somewhat more complicated than the modern dual circuit masters because of the way that the distribution block is attached. It would be necessary to either make 3 separate short lines that go from each port back to the reservoir for bleeding or to find some inverted flare plugs and plug two ports and just have one return line to the reservoir. Single circuit master cylinders are much easier to bleed than dual circuit cylinders are, though. Gearhead1952 is probably on the right track and it would bleed itself quickly along with everything else during the bleeding process. But with all that said, don't be surprised if you find out that the master and all four wheel cylinders leak or are seized. An empty hydraulic brake system is a breeding ground for rust. If it were me, I'd tear them all down for at least a close inspection and rebuild before I ever poured any fluid in the system.
#12
Gearhead1952 is probably on the right track and it would bleed itself quickly along with everything else during the bleeding process. But with all that said, don't be surprised if you find out that the master and all four wheel cylinders leak or are seized. An empty hydraulic brake system is a breeding ground for rust. If it were me, I'd tear them all down for at least a close inspection and rebuild before I ever poured any fluid in the system.
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10-4 on that. make it right!
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10-4 on that. make it right!
#13
Every year when I take my trucks out of storage I have to fill and bleed the brake system. I don't know where the fluid goes during storage but once I fill and bleed the system is good for the summer driving season. Never have to add fluid until the following year. I've had this happen on a few othe '48-52 trucks I know of.
#14
Ilya, just for safety sake I would replace the fluid in the whole system . Brake fluid is corrosive and will eat at the inside of the brake lines and wheeel cylinders . A little work for alot of piece of mind .If you do this process put a clear tube over the bleeder as you release it and run the old fluid into a container as to check the color of said fluid .We have done this with the super late model we ran to check the condition of the fluid in the sytem from break down due to heat , inside line wear , and moisture content .Later , Denny
#15
Ditto with gearhead1952... If you have the stock master cylinder, then it is just a single chamber design. Just fill it up all the way and start bleeding one cylinder at a time from passenger rear. Make sure to keep an eye on the level as you are bleeding. Then move to driver rear, passenger front, and then finally to the driver front.
FYI, if the fluid is not there, then you have a leak somewhere. Make sure to find where it is leaking. I just did my entire brake system including the lines with exception to the master cylinder. You can get wheel cylinders for about $15/pop. Better than trying to rebuild...
FYI, if the fluid is not there, then you have a leak somewhere. Make sure to find where it is leaking. I just did my entire brake system including the lines with exception to the master cylinder. You can get wheel cylinders for about $15/pop. Better than trying to rebuild...