bleeding the brakes
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 9
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bleeding the brakes
Hi all,
So the basic problem is I have zero brake pressure. I replaced the wheel cylinders, filled the brake fluid, and went through about 6 rounds of trying to bleed the brakes. I followed the procedures online; I started with the one farthest from my master cylinder (right rear) and worked my way up to the closest. Every time i opened a bleeder valve it squirted fluid and i tightened it yet my Dad and I continuously got no pressure. We refilled the master cylinder after every round so we know that there is fluid going through the lines so now i need to know what my next step is? Am i doing something wrong? Am i better off sending it to a shop? I have spent a lot of frustrating time on these brakes and to be so close to finally having it on the road again only to run into this roadblock has been really annoying. Any ideas or recommendations?
So the basic problem is I have zero brake pressure. I replaced the wheel cylinders, filled the brake fluid, and went through about 6 rounds of trying to bleed the brakes. I followed the procedures online; I started with the one farthest from my master cylinder (right rear) and worked my way up to the closest. Every time i opened a bleeder valve it squirted fluid and i tightened it yet my Dad and I continuously got no pressure. We refilled the master cylinder after every round so we know that there is fluid going through the lines so now i need to know what my next step is? Am i doing something wrong? Am i better off sending it to a shop? I have spent a lot of frustrating time on these brakes and to be so close to finally having it on the road again only to run into this roadblock has been really annoying. Any ideas or recommendations?
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 61
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Did you run your master cylinder dry? Maybe you have air trapped in the MC. Also check that the MC isn't leaking into the vacuum booster (if you have one). I had to replace mine, loads of brake fluid in the booster, the booster failed in a dramatic fashion.
If these are good air must be getting in somewhere, check hoses, make sure the copper fittings are all snug, no leaks or you'll have issues bleeding.
Try and fix yourself, these truck always need maintenance. Mine is a pain in the ***, but i'm learn something new every time something goes wrong, and it's never let me down (by that I mean i've always got it home).
If these are good air must be getting in somewhere, check hoses, make sure the copper fittings are all snug, no leaks or you'll have issues bleeding.
Try and fix yourself, these truck always need maintenance. Mine is a pain in the ***, but i'm learn something new every time something goes wrong, and it's never let me down (by that I mean i've always got it home).
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 61
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It could be. I had to replace mine recently and in the instructions it said (in big letters) if run dry you will need to re-bench bleed.
Its not hard to bleed though. You create a loop on each outlet port back into the reservoir and push the plunger a million times to get all the air bubbles out. You need to take it off the truck to get the MC level, unless yours is level in the truck?
Have a look at this link:
Please beware, the fluid eats paint!
Its not hard to bleed though. You create a loop on each outlet port back into the reservoir and push the plunger a million times to get all the air bubbles out. You need to take it off the truck to get the MC level, unless yours is level in the truck?
Have a look at this link:
Please beware, the fluid eats paint!
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 61
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If the MC is pointing upwards at the front you could well have air in the MC, which would make the peddle feel spongy. I can't think of anything else based on your diagnosis. It's got to be a MC issue (air trapped).
No leaks, fluid coming out when bled, no bubbles when calibers being bled.
No leaks, fluid coming out when bled, no bubbles when calibers being bled.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2015
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Ok i guess that'll be my next step then. Thank you for the information hopefully i can get this done
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2015
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Ok i guess that'll be my next step then. Thank you for the information its been really helpful! Hopefully i can get this back on the road asap
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2015
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No worries, hope it works for you dude. I've had mine under a year a learnt a lot from this forum and the internet. Is always worth trying to fix yourself, even if you have to buy a couple of tools along the way. The way I see it, why pay someone else, i'd rather spend the money on tools and do myself 
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 61
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One other thing to mention, i'm sure your doing it this way:
Undo nipple
Press brake pedal
tighten nipple
lift off brake pedal
repeat
Just read you main message, didn't mention that you tightened before lifting off brake.
Undo nipple
Press brake pedal
tighten nipple
lift off brake pedal
repeat
Just read you main message, didn't mention that you tightened before lifting off brake.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Two ideas: Speed bleeders, I have found useful after all my kids have moved out of the house. And I have found helpful to park downhill, in my driveway, to first bleed the rear, then park uphill and bleed the fronts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Does it have to be your driveway? Good thing both of you in California I guess. Yeah those speed bleeders are really easy to use and work great.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Was the MC also recently replaced?
Does the MC have a single reservoir or a dual reservoir?
Do you have manual brakes or power?
Do you have discs on the front or drums all the way around?
Does the MC have a single reservoir or a dual reservoir?
Do you have manual brakes or power?
Do you have discs on the front or drums all the way around?
