bleeding brakes

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Jun 9, 2012 | 08:52 AM

#16

petemcl

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Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 4,685

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From: Northville, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by 56f1hundred

A tip on bleeding by pumping the brake pedal is to only let the pedal go down no more than 1/2 way so damage to the master cyl rubber seals won't happen due to the piston traveling farther into the bore than it would under normal brake operation and into the the grunge and rust etc which will cause damage to the seals and pedal leak down after ( or fade to the floor). If you have a new master cyl this is not a concern. Good luck!

Certainly this is correct if the truck has been sitting for long periods of time. If you have been driving it regularly and you are fixing the brakes your pedal may already be going to the floor. You may want to think about using silicone brake fluid if your truck is going to sit for a while. It costs more but I have had good luck with it in keeping little used brake systems working.

Jun 12, 2012 | 05:34 PM

#17

Jolly Roger Joe

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Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 6,599

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From: Rockingham, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by petemcl

You may want to think about using silicone brake fluid if your truck is going to sit for a while. It costs more but I have had good luck with it in keeping little used brake systems working.

Are you using silicone brake fluid in a drum brake system?

Jun 12, 2012 | 06:26 PM

#18

petemcl

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Joined: Nov 2011

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From: Northville, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger Joe

Are you using silicone brake fluid in a stock hydraulic system?

Yes, I have used it for over 25 years and never had any problems with damaged seals. There are lots of rumors out there but the truth is that if you live in the rust belt or a damp climate (Florida, Gulf Coast, beach communities) it is a good idea to use it. It isn't necessary in dry climates unless you are going to keep the vehicle near the water. So many older Jeep vehicles are kept at hunting camps, etc. or only used in bad weather. Silicone fluid protects their infrequently used systems.

If you are going to have any paint work done you need to let your painter know that he may have to use anti-fisheye additive.

Here is a good, commons sense article on it: http://adlersantiqueautos.com/articles/brake1.html. I'm not sure that I agree with his caution about using it on booster equipped vehicles. It would take a lot of silicone brake fluid to cause significant damage to an engine, certainly more than what is contained in a brake M/C reservoir. You would be seeing serious brake failures first. Regardless it is still a good article. You can come to your own conclusions.