Have to change a front brake line on my 1996 f250. Will I have to bleed all the brakes since it looks like the master cylinder is one compartment? That's what it looks like to me,but just want to make sure before I do extra work.

 

Master cylinder should have two reservoirs, the smaller on is for the rear. You may or may not have to bleed the other front. If you bleed the one you are working on and the pedal is good and it doesn't pull when you apply the brakes you should be good.

 

you may be able to get away with just doing the one wheel, but i always do them all to make sure there is no air in the system.

 

I have a 1993 Ford F350 dually I have been fighting since 2000 when I bought it. Threw parts at it, been in 5 different shops and finally bought Ford Service Manuals for this truck.
Master cylinder, vacuam booster, has a RABS II valve (left frame rail under about where your feet would be in the cab). RABS sending unit on the rear axle (this RABS controls just the rear brakes) which in my case are shoes. There are some differences of how this works from model to year. The RABS II unit I have is for 1990 - 1994. I have come to learn that there are a lot of people and shops also that don't know how to bleed the brakes on this setup.
1. Step one make sure all dash lights for ABS work
2. Actual bleeding Right Rear, Left Rear then the RABS II Valve, the RABSII valve has a bleed screw the RABS does not early models.
3. Next step you have to have special tools to bleed this valve and I will tell you shops do not know it is there or they ignore it. I have read posts on here and all the problems I have had at one time or another. So we put on more new parts still no brakes. ABS system has to be working first. Plug in the ABS test equipment turn on ignition and if I understand what I read there is a purge button on the test equipment that cycles this valve ( will make the air dispel from the valve.
4. Go to Right Front bleed that wheel
5. Go to Left Front and bleed it.

Foot Note: You will need a diaphragm air bleeder. Yesterday I got upset and gave it 30 lbs of air pressure and I got a lot of air out of the system. Did I get it all NO. So I am going to go to Ford with my Service Manual and see if I can find a mechanic that knows HOW! When I had 30 libs of pressure I forced brake fluid, air from the clamp on setup on the Master Cyclinder so a good cap that screws on the master cylinder is needed. $45.00 to $65.00 for that. BIG MESS!! Just get the right cap for the job!!

On a good day I feel there are not many that know how this system works. System is Kelsy Hays and is on Chev, Dodge, Ford trucks 3/4 and 1 ton I know for sure. For years I thought these trucks had NO BRAKES then I bought a 1992 Dually from the man that bought it new. Well it had never been played with and it had brakes!! They even worked right. Learned my 1993 was built the same way had the same parts on it also. No reason for it not to work!!! Looked for the ABS light and found some owner fixed it, took out the bulb and socket in the dash panel. Screwy as it may sound that light has to be in the system for the ABS to work right. The bell under the dash that I unplugged also has a bearing on the ABS, so I plugged that back in. Dislike the dinger but I do want brakes that work!

 

Thanks for the help...just bled the front brakes using the gravity method...brakes work great again!!