Brake system leak what is the best way to find it?

[SDMAN1981]

I have a 1969 el Camino and I suspect there is a leak in the braking system because the small side of the reservoir was near empty and now there is air in the lines. I also crawled under the truck to see if there was any leakage in and around the lines and spray patterns anywhere but did not see any thing unusual, and also there are no drips on my garage floor.

So my question is… Where are the most obvious places to look or find out if there is a leak?

Thanks for the help.

Topic

[toyodagreg]

if you checked the whole brake line system and dont see any leaks, remove the drums (if equipped) and check the wheel cylinders for leakage. If those aren’t leaking, you’re gonna have to unbolt the master from the brake booster (if equipped) and see if that seal is leaking. You can check the vacuum line going to the booster if there is any fluid in there, sometimes if its leaking bad enough there will be some brake fluid there. Good luck!

[Daniel]

You may have just gotten air in the lines because the reservoir was so low.

[college man]

[quote=”toyodagreg” post=42044]if you checked the whole brake line system and dont see any leaks, remove the drums (if equipped) and check the wheel cylinders for leakage. If those aren’t leaking, you’re gonna have to unbolt the master from the brake booster (if equipped) and see if that seal is leaking. You can check the vacuum line going to the booster if there is any fluid in there, sometimes if its leaking bad enough there will be some brake fluid there. Good luck![/quote]

++1 on the above. 😉

[dave]

just throw in a can of stop leak. banana:

[SDMAN1981]

[quote=”Wrench Turner” post=42081]just throw in a can of stop leak. banana:[/quote]

I appreciate your response, but I would never use stop leak for anything.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’m with checking the wheel cylinders. Just pry the cups back and inspect them. This video might help.

[SDMAN1981]

Thanks for the help guys, it was indeed the rear wheel cylinder and I replaced it. So I have another question… Is it recommended to bleed the entire system, or just the side I replaced the cylinder on? I don’t have a helper so what would be the best way and how do I bleed the entire system if I have too. Thanks.

[college man]

if you were quick doing the wheel cylinder.you could
just do that one.I like to rebleed all myself.

[EricTheCarGuy]

As shown in the video all you should need to do is bleed the line that went to the wheel cylinder you replaced.

[Author]

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