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Bench bleeding a master cylinder


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NavyVet88
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Jun 13, 2015, 12:49 AM

Post #1 of 10 (2284 views)
  post locked   Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

Hey guys,
Is bench bleeding the master cylinder all I need to do before I install it new? Is there any other bleeding like brake lines or anything? This is for a 1994 Chevy C1500.
Take care of it and it'll take care of you!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 13, 2015, 3:42 AM

Post #2 of 10 (2272 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

Sometimes yes always best to bleed thru all new fluid.


Trick is be fast from bench to getting lines on. If you set parking brake before touching it at all and release it after new one on can push a small bubble back out at cylinder as can just pushing slightly on a piston of a front brake.


Always know if bleeder work and will not bust off or this could get more involved than you planned,


T



Hammer Time
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Jun 13, 2015, 4:58 AM

Post #3 of 10 (2269 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

You definitely have to do more bleeding once it's on the car. All the bench bleeding does is give you a head start for once it's connected. You may get away with just bleeding the lines at the master but it's always best to bleed at the wheels after you bleed at the master.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



NavyVet88
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Jun 16, 2015, 5:44 AM

Post #4 of 10 (2242 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

With what you guys have told me, how exactly would I go about bleeding the brake lines? I'm trying to save money by not going to a mechanic and I would like to get this done myself likewise.
Take care of it and it'll take care of you!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 16, 2015, 6:27 AM

Post #5 of 10 (2239 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

Anyone would like to save $$. YOU can but might not have any luck with bleeders but can check. With proper tools and grab see if they move at all just a smidge not enough to bleed now so you know. If they bust right off (even one) you have a handful of work to do. Easily can involve new wheel cylinders, calipers and the lines to them along the way - a real project and bucks in labor exceeding the parts.


Look it up for your exact truck as needed but general would be bleed out longest line first on to shortest - RR, LR, RF then LF. If you have RABS could be needing more or send it out for power bleeding.


Please if you are in doubt about your ability to do this right send it out. It's brakes friend! I don't want your truck in my back seat because you can't stop - got it?


Seriously - are you even convinced or sure the problem is even the master cylinder at all or a rusted line way so common especially on trucks even lots newer than this and not really that rusty in general.


You would notice loss of brake fluid if a leak and likely but not always evidence of where. If rainy brake fluid washes away as it's not an oil. Can also get sucked into the booster but usually would leak under back of cylinder so you see it.


If in question about brakes get pro help right with you or send it out please. Too important obviously,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 16, 2015, 3:33 PM

Post #6 of 10 (2236 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

If you want to learn how to repair your car, that is fine but brakes is not the place for OJT. You're going to get yourself in trouble here.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



NavyVet88
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Jun 18, 2015, 10:48 AM

Post #7 of 10 (2224 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

The master cylinder is leaking between the reservoir and the cylinder itself right above the rubber seal not below it. I've been told that bench bleeding could possibly be all that I need to do but I don't like uncertainty with this. I've been told as well that replacing the cylinder itself vs trying to repair the deal is the better way to go.
Take care of it and it'll take care of you!

(This post was edited by NavyVet88 on Jun 18, 2015, 10:49 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 18, 2015, 1:38 PM

Post #8 of 10 (2219 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

If you have anything to hesitate about this job and possible complications of bleeding it's not for you.


You are leaving us clues sport. It's not leaking between the reservoir and cylinder AND a bad master the rubber grommet is gone or tank has a flaw. Can buy just the tank with the grommet! $11 - just bought one. That's not the whole master complete with reservoir one would think from the title of the thread. I'm in a state where kits to rebuild or whole rebuilds are no longer allowed but would have to double check but was once. No room for failures!


Now that suggests YOU looked at a RED brake warning light when pressure went unequal and pumped air into the system which means bleeding is a must now.


That's where you'll have a high chance of getting in trouble with bleeders that break or don't bleed and to fix a new pair of wheel cylinders or calipers to find out the brake line twists off so need to make up new line yourself. They don't come ready to install unless super lucky they do sell exact lengths with ends made but usually get one too long and make up the double fare end.


It's actually still not costly just take time and tools that aren't costly either but if not right a real pest or if not bent where they belong they rub and you get a hole in a new line in no time.


Point: If you can't handle the worst case scenario - send this out. It's routine for about any tech plus most shops stock the line by the roll in any rust prone areas.


Sorry to beat on this but no room for errors.


As far as taking care of brake hydraulic things and lines you could annually bleed out brakes as maintenance and if exposed to rust with age rustproof lines, bleeder's threads and flare nuts routinely to not to break.


It's doable and not all that hard but real easy to get stuck or do it wrong - can't allow that. Best to learn this hands on with a tech or person who really knows what can go wrong and bending up lines well is awful hard to describe if needed and bet it would,


T



NavyVet88
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Aug 6, 2015, 8:45 AM

Post #9 of 10 (2033 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

Sorry for the late reply on this fellas I have been working and going to school both full time and haven't had much room for anything else. Update on the cylinder: the cylinder was replaced entirely by the local shop and now it's flawless. Knocked about a $300 dent in the wallet but for the piece of mind of knowing it's done right the first time it was money well spent.
Take care of it and it'll take care of you!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 6, 2015, 8:52 AM

Post #10 of 10 (2029 views)
  post locked   Re: Bench bleeding a master cylinder  

Thanks for the follow up. Brakes are a must of course so money well spent and not too much IMO for that job jus sent out.
Will close up thread to keep spammers and hijackers out and YOU can ask any moderator to re-open it,


T







 
 
 






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