Brakes aren't working?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
From: Columbus, Ohio
Brakes aren't working?
Well, the truck's back together and I'm ready to ride...brakes are bled but....NO PEDAL! I can't believe my brakes got out of adjustment bad enough over the summer. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver Island
So, were the brakes all bled and working before? How good were they, and were the lines and cylinders rebuilt or replaced within living memory? If any of the lines are original, you should really consider replacing them, especially the lines to the rear brakes.
If you've got one of those Mityvac pumps, you could vacuum bleed from each slave cylinder. Read the booklet that comes with it.
Or start at the master cylinder, bleed that (crack the fitting(s) at the master cylinder), then do each wheel cylinder. Have a few extra bottles of fluid on hand for this, and ideally a friend to pump the pedal. If that is inconvenient, there's the amazing Bungee Bleeder that I thought up: loop a bungee cord up from the steering column bracket through the steering wheel, and use it to pull a stick against the brake pedal (like a 1x2 or 2x2 or whatever you find lying around). Lift the pedal up, let the stick press it back down. Loosen the fitting or brake bleeder until something comes out (air or fluid), then tighten it again. Repeat until there are no bubbles anywhere.
If you've got one of those Mityvac pumps, you could vacuum bleed from each slave cylinder. Read the booklet that comes with it.
Or start at the master cylinder, bleed that (crack the fitting(s) at the master cylinder), then do each wheel cylinder. Have a few extra bottles of fluid on hand for this, and ideally a friend to pump the pedal. If that is inconvenient, there's the amazing Bungee Bleeder that I thought up: loop a bungee cord up from the steering column bracket through the steering wheel, and use it to pull a stick against the brake pedal (like a 1x2 or 2x2 or whatever you find lying around). Lift the pedal up, let the stick press it back down. Loosen the fitting or brake bleeder until something comes out (air or fluid), then tighten it again. Repeat until there are no bubbles anywhere.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
The Amazing Bungee Bleeder, I like it, It amazes me what people will come up with to make something work. Six, If your truck sat a long time it may need to be blead again. The master cylinder will hold a pound or 2 of pressure on the wheel cylinder cupes and that is what keeps the air out. The master cylinder could also be bad or just a break adjustment like you said seems like mine needs it about 1500 to 3000 miles.
