When I change the master cylinder/booster...

[Edmond]

What else should I do?

You guys are probably going to laugh at me for this question but it's brake fluid in the master cylinder right? I'm asking because I've never done any brakes before...

When I disconnect the master cylinder lines, I should put rags underneath it because the fluid will come out right? Do I just fill the master cylinder up with brake fluid after I'm done? Will there be air in the system?

What does it mean when you "bleed the brakes?"

 

[LEEJANDZ]

;help ;help ;help

Edmond -- Do I just fill the master cylinder up with brake fluid after I'm done?
Will there be air in the system?
What does it mean when you "bleed the brakes?"

Have you started doing this job yet?

If not here goes:

First you have to drain the old master cylinder.
Use an old turkey baster or something equivalent.
Then you can pull the master cylinder & booster.

Have your new brake master cylinder bench bled. (Instructions should be included with your new master cylinder)
Typically there will be air in the system so you will have to take the wheels off and bleed each caliper.
This is a 2 man process.

Bleeding the brakes will remove all of the air from the braking system.

Get a shop manual to better describe each step.
But this process is relatively easy.

Good luck

I am here to help

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1979 L-82 - BLACK/BLACK - B&M AUTO

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;help ;help ;help

 

[c4ever]

Actually there is very little spill from the disconnected brake lines. I use a topsider(a great tool for the garage) to siphon the master fluid. Disconnect the brake lines and be careful when seating the cups to the new master. Make sure you drive them home. Bench bleed and install. Be careful not to crossthread the brake lines when reattaching. Proceed to bleed from pass side rear, driver rear, pass front, driver front. If done correctly you may not have to bleed but I do it anyway. Yes there is brake fluid in the master.

Piece of cake.
Oh don't forget the for a job well done.

Carlo

 

[Edmond]

Hi guys,

thanks for the responses. I have not started and instructions did not come with the master cylinder. It looks pretty straight forward so I didn't really worry when instructions didn't come with the master cylinder.

What do you mean by "bench bleed?"

 

[sumoboy]

1) Place your master cylinder in a vise by the ears (not body). Make sure it is level.
2) Attach a piece of clear plastic hose to the short end of one of the plastic
nozzles. Do the same to the other hose and nozzle.
3) Clip the plastic bridge to the wall and push the ends of the hose through the holes so they are SUBMERGED in the reservoir on either side of the wall.
4) Press the tapered end of the nozzle FIRMLY into the cylinder port hole with a twisting motion. Repeat this procedure on the other port hole.
5) Fill the reservoir with CLEAN brake fluid recommended by the manufacturer.
6) Using full strokes, push the piston in, then release. Do this until ALL the air bubbles have disappeared from the clear plastic hose.
(CAUTION-MASTER CYLINDER WILL NOT BLEED PROPERLY UNLESS HOSES ARE SUBMERGED IN BRAKE FLUID UNTIL THE BLEEDING PROCESS IS COMPLETED.)

Now mount master cylinder and avoid brake fluid leaking out of front and rear ports during installation.

http://www.stainlesssteelbrakes.com/tech/
Try this site also. It has some decent info on brakes.

 

[c4ever]

I would check with the guy you bought it from Edmond. The master should come with the hoses to bench bleed. Makes it a whole lot easier.

Carlo

 

[ratdog]

It seems you know nothing about a braking system on a car or how to work on them. Why did you pick probably the most complicated and finicky brakes in the automotive world to learn on?!? I would suggest getting a 75 Nova with power brakes and butchering that up first. Life's a ***** when you try to stop a Vette at a red light and it keeps going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just my 2 Vettes worth.................................

 

[dburgjohn]

Brakes

Most auto stores sell a vacume pump that hooks to the bleeder valves on the brakes. This allows a one man job (though it does take longer). Also Mid-America sells a bleeder valve that has a check ball inside to help. It is not a hard job, just make sure you keep the brake fluid off the car (keep you happy) and off the driveway (keep wife happy).

 

[Tuna]

Also Mid-America sells a bleeder valve that has a check ball inside to help.

They're called "Speed Bleeders". I use them and can recommend them. With the Speed Bleeders installed in the calipers, I attach a clear hose to the bleeder and let it hang into a container. After loosening the bleeder, I can press the brakes to the floor (or better yet, have someone else press the brakes where I can watch the hose). This lets the old fluid and air out while the check valve keeps air from getting back in.

Later,

 

[Eagle85C4]

Last year I bought one of the hand held, hand operated vac pumps from Mid-Am and man was it a snap to bleed the brakes.
You just had to stop now and again and make sure you still have fluid in the master but when you sucked enough to fill the container on the pump you had to stop, empty it and resume.
Well worth the 30 some odd bucks I paid for it. This one is plastic, they have a fancier on that is cast and even has a vac guage on it, costs a bit more but I think I will upgrade....anybody need a used once vac pump? Got the book and all the trimmings still there....not lost in the garage like half my other tools....

 

[Edmond]

It seems you know nothing about a braking system on a car or how to work on them. Why did you pick probably the most complicated and finicky brakes in the automotive world to learn on?!? I would suggest getting a 75 Nova with power brakes and butchering that up first. Life's a ***** when you try to stop a Vette at a red light and it keeps going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just my 2 Vettes worth.................................

:L :L :L You're right, but I've got to learn sooner or later. Good news is that I have the help of a guy down the street who is a retired mechanic and we'll be working in his garage.

As for the car keep going at a red light, I had that happen once in a truck. But it happened on the expressway during rush hour traffic!:eek Had to think fast so I threw it in neutral and needless to say, I'm still alive.:cool

 

[sumoboy]

When it's all done let us know how it turns out.