Bench bleeding master cylinder
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: in country near Boone, IA
Bench bleeding master cylinder
I've installed a new master cylinder on my '78 F250 crew. The instructions say to "bench bleed" the MC before bleeding the brake lines. Is this absolutely necessary to get the brakes to be nice and firm after bleeding them? I'm not wanting to put fluid in the cylinder to "bench bleed" it (either on the bench or on the truck) for fear of loosing brake fluid out of the ports onto my nicely painted engine bay parts lol while trying to connect the brake lines. Any advice guys?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
It is a must! I bought 2 12" pieces of line and bent them over to fit back into the cylinder reservoir. I bled mine on the truck. Much easier than trying to do it on a bench in a vise. Just push the pedal slowly to eliminate spray coming back out.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Weatherford, TX
One way or another you need to bleed the the MC, the benifit of putting it in a vice is that you can get all of the air out of all the nooks and crannys a lot easier if the MC is completley level.
IMHO it's a whole lot easier to bleed it on the truck, but unless your planning on bleeding the entire system, which is recomended, you really need to bleed the MC one way or another.
IMHO it's a whole lot easier to bleed it on the truck, but unless your planning on bleeding the entire system, which is recomended, you really need to bleed the MC one way or another.
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The reason "they" recommend BENCH bleeding versus installing it in the vehicle and bleeding it is to keep the MC level in a vise while bleeding the air.
But, I think most people say screw that and do what Ranger showed. Works like a charm.
Josh
But, I think most people say screw that and do what Ranger showed. Works like a charm.
Josh
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Johaner, It's good that you are thinking ahead, I had some leaks on the fittings for my new extended front brake lines and by the time I found the leaks it ate right through the chassis saver on my frame. I had to do some touch up. 
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: in country near Boone, IA
Ok, so i'll bleed the MC......I like Ranger's idea and then cover it with a rag or something. So my concern is that all the fluid (or even one little drop) will come out of the MC when I take the bleeder lines off and try to connect the actual brake lines. I just can't be touching up paint....that will just kill me to see paint get ruined and have to touch up. So will any drop come out of the ports when switching lines?
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From: Northern and Southern Cal
I've done it both ways numerous times and they both work.
However I got a little bleeder helper syringe (Classic Performance Products pn# CP0105) just to make sure and suck or push any air out.
If you make yourself a little bleed kit it becomes easy as pie.
However I got a little bleeder helper syringe (Classic Performance Products pn# CP0105) just to make sure and suck or push any air out.
If you make yourself a little bleed kit it becomes easy as pie.
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