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[quote=”scott37300″ post=52862]Sounds like your bleeder is blocked. When you clamped off the brake line and opened the bleeder and couldn’t press the piston back in the caliper it was because with a blocked bleeder the fluid had no where to go. Once you took the clamp off the line the fluid was able to be pressed back towards the master and fluid resovoir. [/quote]
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Planning to test the theory tonight.
[quote=”scott37300″ post=52862]I’m not sure about the soft spot in your brakes, might be air in the lines. In my opinion a good brake job includes a fluid flush which you can do yourself. Also many manufacturers are making changing the fluid part of recomended maintenance. Brake fluid is hydroscopic(SP) and absorbs water. If it’s left in for years moisture from hot/cold cycles will get in the fluid and start to break it down. You can do the two person method for brake bleeding to replace all the fluid but I use a vacuum bleeder. You might be able to clear up your blocked bleeder by having a helper sit in the vehicle and pump the brakes a couple times and hold it. While you loosen the bleeder, sometimes the pressure from the brake fluid will push the blockage out the bleeder. Then while they are still holding the pedal down tighten the bleeder and repeat as needed. But try and clean the bleeder first with a pick or small drill bit by hand, don’t use a drill! Then try to push the blockage out with the brake fluid. Put a 2×4 under the brake pedal so it’s not allowed to drop all the way to the floor while your helper is pumping it. Sometimes since the pedal isn’t used to going that far there is some build up of gunk on the master and you can ruin a seal if you let it go farther then it’s used to.
There should be some videos on youtube about bleeding brakes and I think Eric even has one.[/quote]
Thanks for the tips. Never would have thought to place a 2×4 under the pedal. After getting the blockage resolved (if that is the problem), I did plan on doing a brake fluid flush. The fluid in there is definitely more than a few years old, and pretty dark. There are 2 other vehicles in our household that will be getting the same treatment.
Eric’s videos were the impetus for me to do the brake job. Seeing was believing – that it was not as difficult as I had perceived it to be. Having a resource like this forum is great too.
[quote=”scott37300″ post=52862]Sounds like your bleeder is blocked. When you clamped off the brake line and opened the bleeder and couldn’t press the piston back in the caliper it was because with a blocked bleeder the fluid had no where to go. Once you took the clamp off the line the fluid was able to be pressed back towards the master and fluid resovoir. [/quote]
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Planning to test the theory tonight.
[quote=”scott37300″ post=52862]I’m not sure about the soft spot in your brakes, might be air in the lines. In my opinion a good brake job includes a fluid flush which you can do yourself. Also many manufacturers are making changing the fluid part of recomended maintenance. Brake fluid is hydroscopic(SP) and absorbs water. If it’s left in for years moisture from hot/cold cycles will get in the fluid and start to break it down. You can do the two person method for brake bleeding to replace all the fluid but I use a vacuum bleeder. You might be able to clear up your blocked bleeder by having a helper sit in the vehicle and pump the brakes a couple times and hold it. While you loosen the bleeder, sometimes the pressure from the brake fluid will push the blockage out the bleeder. Then while they are still holding the pedal down tighten the bleeder and repeat as needed. But try and clean the bleeder first with a pick or small drill bit by hand, don’t use a drill! Then try to push the blockage out with the brake fluid. Put a 2×4 under the brake pedal so it’s not allowed to drop all the way to the floor while your helper is pumping it. Sometimes since the pedal isn’t used to going that far there is some build up of gunk on the master and you can ruin a seal if you let it go farther then it’s used to.
There should be some videos on youtube about bleeding brakes and I think Eric even has one.[/quote]
Thanks for the tips. Never would have thought to place a 2×4 under the pedal. After getting the blockage resolved (if that is the problem), I did plan on doing a brake fluid flush. The fluid in there is definitely more than a few years old, and pretty dark. There are 2 other vehicles in our household that will be getting the same treatment.
Eric’s videos were the impetus for me to do the brake job. Seeing was believing – that it was not as difficult as I had perceived it to be. Having a resource like this forum is great too.
[quote=”pilotvp” post=52858]Before bleeding the entire system, unclog the bleeders. :cheer:[/quote]
To unclog the bleeder, should I simply remove it and make sure the orifice doesn’t have anything blocking it? Do I need to look for a blockage anywhere else? Thanks for the help.
[quote=”pilotvp” post=52858]Before bleeding the entire system, unclog the bleeders. :cheer:[/quote]
To unclog the bleeder, should I simply remove it and make sure the orifice doesn’t have anything blocking it? Do I need to look for a blockage anywhere else? Thanks for the help.
Thanks. First time doing a brake job, and the Eric video did not mention it, so I did not. However, that is the next thing I will do, and hopefully it will correct it. I am concerned that no fluid exited the bleeder valve as I was compressing the piston, so there’s a good chance a gravity bleed will tell the full story.
The truck is obviously older (223K), and the caliper, etc. isn’t pristine by any means. Hopefully changing the brake fluid and bleeding the system will do the trick.
Thanks. First time doing a brake job, and the Eric video did not mention it, so I did not. However, that is the next thing I will do, and hopefully it will correct it. I am concerned that no fluid exited the bleeder valve as I was compressing the piston, so there’s a good chance a gravity bleed will tell the full story.
The truck is obviously older (223K), and the caliper, etc. isn’t pristine by any means. Hopefully changing the brake fluid and bleeding the system will do the trick.