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I am going to replace the Master Cylinder on my 84 Bronco This is the first time doing this. I have read the instructions and it says to plug the outlets to remove the air from the cylinder but I only receveived one plug with the new cylinder. Do I need to plug both outlets? Is there anything else I should know before I start. Thanks for any help.
The master cylinder bleed method I was always told about was two short lengths of tubing with the necessary fittings in the holes (usually old steel lines cut off) and bent up and around into the resevoir so that as you fill the resevoir and pump the cylinder the air and fluid are dumped back into the resevior. You know the cylinder is free of any air when you no longer get air bubbles in the resevior when you push the piston in. (Obviously the lines from the fittings need to be long enough to go down into the resevior so that the fluid level is above the ends of the lines).
I haven't done this in a very long time and I could be dead wrong here so guys please, correct my errors.
Nope...you are right....there is a small kit that you can buy for about 3 bucks from your local parts store to bench bleed the master cylinder. Come with instructions and all.
I got mine from NAPA and it included the bench bleed kit. I (gently) held the cylinder in a padded vise and did the bleed process. Got a lot of air out of it too.
A lot of master cylinders now come with a bench bleeding kit that contains plugs (without nipples and hoses), as described. Yes, you will need two - one for each reservoir. The manufacturers advise to install the plugs, fill the reservoir halfway, and pump the piston (or pedal if the cylinder is installed on the truck) until there are no longer any air bubbles welling up from the bottom of the reservoir. Supposedly, this method is more effective / quicker / better / etc. than the kits using the hoses. I used it on my last install with no problems or issues.