Brake system problems

[vetteboy86]

My 73 Trans Am has some brake issues. I recently lost the pedal. I tried to bleed the brakes, ans snapped a bleeder off. So I bought a new caliper until I can get the bleeder out of the old caliper.

I blead the brakes at each wheel. I moved out a good amount of fluid. There was pedal momentarily after I was done, but it quickly went to the floor again. This car is equipped with power brakes. I was told that I need to bleed the car running, is this true?

I am leaning towards the master cylinder, because after the bleed job, I still have no pedal. The pedal goes to the floor. If I try to pump it quick, it builds pressure momentarily, then just goes to the floor. How do I determine which parts are bad?

 

[JohnZ]

I'd vote for a bad master cylinder too; you don't need the engine running to bleed it via the pedal-pump method.

 

[vetteboy86]

Cool, thanks alot guys. How hard is it to change. I have never done one, but everything looks accessible. Are there any tricks, or cautions to look for?

Craig

 

[vetteboy86]

Well guys for now my brake problems are behind me. I put the new one on after I bench blead it, and all is well. I blead the entire system again. For now I have a good pedal, that is firm at the top.

Thanks for all the replies,
Craig

 

[LT4man]

Craig,

Congratulations on your brake pedal. I am glad to see that you tried to fix the problem yourself and succeeded! That is one nice ride you have there and a Vette is a lot more fun when the brakes work!

Save The Wave!

Gregory