Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Brake bleeding question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 2, 2009 | 02:09 PM
  #1  
JBronco's Avatar
JBronco
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Brake bleeding question

I recently overhauled the brakes on my 90 XLT 5.8. I replaced all parts, including cylinders on all four wheels. I bled the brakes per the shop manual but I've noticed that the master cylinder does not seem to fill up correctly. It looks like it is divided into four "cells" and one of the "cells" only fills about halfway. But the master cylinder is full, well it is topped off anyway. I cannot add any more fluid to it.


Is this normal, or do I need to do something else (bleed master cylinder etc.?). I had a shop bleed the brakes with a pump but it still does this. The brakes work fine, but I want to be sure that the proportion is correct and I do not overuse the front brakes and cause a heat issue with my new rotors. I remember once having a cylinder replaced on the rear passenger side and the mechanic said that you have to bleed the ABS valve any time you replace a wheel cylinder. Is this correct? I am mainly concerned with the brakes proportion being correct and the RABS working properly come winter.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2009 | 08:35 PM
  #2  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
JBronco, haven't heard from you in a while glad to see you.

I am unaware of the need to bleed the ABS portion of the system independently since it is in line with the rest of the hydraulics for the rear axle. As long as you don't allow the fluid level in the master cylinder to drop too far and draw air into the system, the ABS portion should remain completely passive when bleeding.

As for the fill level, I have noticed the "sections" within the reservoir in my 93 with varying levels from time to time and no amount of refilling will correct it. Never had any issues with it, personally.
 
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2009 | 09:57 PM
  #3  
JBronco's Avatar
JBronco
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Thanks GS, yeah I've been hibernating. I stopped driving the Bronc a lot when gas topped $4 a gallon. So now I'm just taking care of some little issues that I had put off when I wasn't driving it.

As far as the brakes, they are fine. I went back by the shop and they told me it was normal. I guess that I never noticed it before. I tend to ignore master cylinders until they break. But now my whole system is flushed and replaced with DOT 4 and working great. I replaced every single part on each wheel, down to the last spring and washer. New drums, discs, cylinders, etc. etc. etc. The back wheels looked so pretty with all of the colorful new springs etc. that it was almost a shame to bolt the wheels back on!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
quakerj
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Aug 25, 2013 11:51 PM
alchemist1
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 11, 2012 12:11 PM
RANGER589
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Oct 6, 2010 09:28 PM
dentside79
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Apr 6, 2009 05:46 PM
BigSix1
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Nov 24, 2004 09:59 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:42 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE