Brake bleed question
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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Brake bleed question
HI all, First post, and it's a doozy. I replaced all brake parts on my son's 1996 F-150 pickup. Shoes, rotors, calipers, bearings, power booster, master cylinder, everything. I can't seem to bleed the system out properly. I went through 4 master cylinders before getting one that doesn't leak <beware the made in china stuff> I tried bleeding the normal way, bench bleed the master, next the ABS, RR, LR, ABS again, RF, then LF. I've pumped 2 gallons through and still no pedal. Currently I've opened up all wheel and ABS bleed valves, and they dripped very little. I figured on dripping 2 quarts through and then bleeding by using the pedal. The ABS stopped dripping, and the RR never dripped at all. Fronts drip like crazy. Shut them down to a slow drip, but still, the ABS nor the RR will drip. I don't have access to a power bleeder nor can I drive the truck. Short of building a power bleeder or having the truck towed 15 miles to the nearest shop, is there anything I'm missing???? Thanks in advance
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Alaska
Are you doing this alone? If you have a helper maybe they are pumping the pedal to fast, This can build up air in the system. Try having them pump three smooth and steady pumps and hold. Sorry this is all I could think of right now.
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New User
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Thanks
Yes, I have a helper and had her slow waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down. I got good clean fluid from all five fittings six times, and the pedal still goes all the way down to the floor. My helper has given the final protest that her leg hurts, so it's going to the shop. If they find anything other than air, I'll post here so maybe someone else can learn from my failure. Thanks
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Rabs
Thanks - good question, and yes I had adjusted my rear brakes. The problem turned out to be the RABS modulator failed (we think). My son told me the mechanic said the RABS had to be activated in order to be flushed properly. I don't know how this is done, but if anyone on here does, it would be most helpful to new members and those old salts like me that flushed brakes long before electronics entered our domain. The shop wanted to sell him a new RABS at 267.00 plus 189.00 labor. He has no money. The system is working now, I assume the ABS is not, and he drove back to college. End of my tale of woe. Thanks
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Activate?
So how about it...does anyone know how to activate the RABS? Does that mean simply turning on the ignition switch? Does the truck have to be running? Hasn't anyone run into this problem? Inquiring minds want to know.
