Bleeding the brakes...

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Oct 8, 2019 | 08:12 PM

daveboley

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Bleeding the brakes...

I just finished replacing the entire brake system including all new stainless brake lines and all new hydraulic hoses. I did not replace the ABS unit or the Master Cylinder. We complete evacuated all the old fluid from th MC and filled it with new fluid before we started bleeding the system with a vacuum bleeder starting at the closest wheel and working our way out while we kept adding fluid to the MC reservoir never letting it go low enough to get air in the system. I have the truck on jack stands with all the rotors on. I'm pretty sure there is no air in the system. I've tried the brakes with the truck in 4WD, in gear with it in gear. The brakes quickly engage ant stops all wheels with less than 1/4 of the full pedal travel. My problem is that although there id resistance to foot pressure the pedal will eventually bottom out. The brakes still hold. I don't know if this is normal for this ABS system or if there is still a problem or the brakes were not properly bled. I'm an old guy and most of my experience has been on non ABS systems. Any thoughts on this or any proper bleeding instructions? I do remember a Ford E-350 van I had that if you pushed on the pedal long enough it would eventually bottom out. It was that way from when it was new right up through 259,000 miles on it.

Oct 9, 2019 | 07:50 AM

alloro

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From: 0,0,1

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveboley

My problem is that although there is resistance to foot pressure the pedal will eventually bottom out.

That's a sign of a failing master cylinder. BTW, the correct bleeding sequence is RR, LR, RF, LF.

Oct 9, 2019 | 09:00 AM

daveboley

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Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

That's a sign of a failing master cylinder. BTW, the correct bleeding sequence is RR, LR, RF, LF.

Thanks Man... I was suspecting the MC might be bad but not being really familiar with the ABS system I thought I'd ask a few questions before I replaced it. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

Jun 8, 2023 | 07:38 PM

FordTruckChuck

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2009

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From: S.E.,CT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveboley

Thanks Man... I was suspecting the MC might be bad but not being really familiar with the ABS system I thought I'd ask a few questions before I replaced it. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

Did that fix the problem?