Bleeding brakes

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Oct 11, 2001 | 08:28 PM

Danlaws

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Bleeding brakes

I just replaced my master cylinder. How do I bleed the brake lines at the wheels?

Oct 11, 2001 | 09:29 PM

Danlaws

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Bleeding brakes

Sorry, its a 69 F100, manual brakes. The shoes and wheel cylinders on the rear look alright,the springs have some rust on them. I haven't taken the front hubs off yet. I've never changed drum brakes before and my Chiltons book has about three pages of instructions. Is it as hard as it looks? (for a novice mechanic)

Oct 12, 2001 | 12:26 AM

lastchance

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From: South Central PA

Bleeding brakes

Changing drum brake shoes isn't that hard a job. If it's your first time don't pull both sides apart, even if you have to make a trip back to the parts store to take your old shoes back for core. Do one side at a time so you can go back and look at the other if you get stuck and forget how something goes. You can save your knuckles and patience by purchasing a set of brake spring pliers too...make the job go a lot easier. While you are doing the front brakes I'd recommend replacing the front wheel seals and repacking the front wheel bearings too. As far as bleeding goes, most master cylnders come with a little kit to bleed the master cylinder itself before installation. But to bleed the whole system it is best to have two people. Start at the wheel farthest from the master cylinder and work your way back...RR, LR, RF, LF. It isn't necessary to "pump" the brakes a lot then bleed. Have your helper push the pedal down and open the bleeder when the pedal is down. Open the bleeder, let the air out, and close the bleeder before they let back up on the pedal. Just keep repeating this until you get a clean stream of fluid without air...and keep an eye on the level of the fluid in the master cylinder!

Oct 12, 2001 | 06:26 AM

jowilker

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

Bleeding brakes

Bill, I would add to your post, use a thicker wrench like the ones used on fluid lines, or a box end, because those things rust and strip very easily.

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Oct 12, 2001 | 11:09 AM

rwjr

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From: Athens, AL

Bleeding brakes

also, if you're replacing your shoes, there are 4 total in the box, 2 for each side...2 of them will have more brake material on them....they go toward the rear of the truck, one on each side, and the ones with less friction material go toward the front
had a guy do mine for me cuz i didn't have time....jackdonkey put em on all mixed up and gave me erratic braking til i fixed it

Oct 12, 2001 | 07:58 PM

jagabom

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From: Winnipeg Manitoba CANADA

Bleeding brakes

RWJR, when you say they were mixed up, was one side on right and one side on wrong ?

Oct 12, 2001 | 11:45 PM

lastchance

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From: South Central PA

Bleeding brakes

He means the lining is different. As you look at the shoes, the pieces of lining riveted or bonded to the steel shoe are 2 different sizes. When you put them on the truck, the leading shoe, or the one on the front side of the backing plate (towards the front of the truck), will have the shorter lining on it. The shoe with more material always goes to the rear of the backing plate, towards the rear of the vehicle, regardless of whether it is a front or back wheel. And Amen to the good thick wrench or flare wrench if you end up removing the brake line!

Bill