@!#$%^&* Brakes

[Pete Gannon]

I just finished reading Jerry Clark's tale of woe with his brakes. I had the same problem last week end. Guess what! I still do. I have now bench bleed the m/c, vacuum bleed and pumped the brakes to bleed the system and still hav very little brake at the floor board. I have not tried gravity yet but I ran 2 quarts of brake fluid throgh the system already.

This question may sound a little stupid now, but what is with the three bleeder valves on the back calipers? I bleed through all three (individually). Is this right? This car is a 75 and does not have power brakes. Geez guys is it really this hard to get the air out or am I in some way mechanically crippled?

Thanks for your too kind responses, Pete

[G B.]

Only pressure bleeding works every time

Since you didn't mention "pressure bleeding" with an external pressurized fluid reservoir, I assume that you haven't tried it.

It is the only reliable way I've found to move air pockets out of the high spots in the lines. Vacuum bleeding actually adds to the problem if you are using silicone fluid. Pumping the pedal doesn't keep the pressure up long enough to push the air all the way to the bleeders.

[Jerry Clark]

Re: Only pressure bleeding works every time

Hi Pete:

I must admit I thought this was going to be a problem beyond my ability to resolve. I haven't posted an update yet but will after this.

After about 1 pint shy of two GALLONS of brake fluid I have brakes on my 69. In the end I tried everything but pressure bleeding but I GUARANTEE that next time I will have a pressure bleeding setup, this was the most aggravating problem I have encountered in my 28 years in the hobby.

The end result was simply trapped air, but who would have thought it would be so extreme and difficult to resolve.

I almost wish I had a bit more esoteric explanation but that's it.

get a pressure bleeder or be very patient and buy a lot of fluid.

jer