One of my cars that is basically "done" sits for very long periods of time between use, as a result I think I may have some moisture in the brake fluid - it has been along time and it needs changed anyhow. What is the best procedure for flushing the system while still on the car? I ***ume just open rear p***. bleeder and run new fluid through the system till it is running clear?? The car is a '65 chevy with a single master, manual drum brakes if that matters. I am also getting some SERIOUS pull to the left when I apply the brakes so I am starting to trouble shoot this problem in the process, starting with new fluid and working up from there...thanks
Yes, I do know how to bleed brakes, that was not the question I was asking. The question asked was if there was a specific method to completely flush the system to replace all the old with new, something other than simply bleeding them. As soon as you think you know it all or that your way is the only way to do something, you've lost the game.
Sorry, didn't mean to come off quite like that. First, bench bleed the master cylinder until all the old fluid is gone. Then bleed all four corners like you usually would, but instead of waiting for the air bubbles to quit coming, go ahead and continue at each wheel until you see clear fluid. That way you know it's all new fluid. I hope that helps.
It is just like you said, although you need to crack all four bleeders so that fresh clean fluid comes out from each, not just the farthest rear side. Your pulling could be as simple as brake adjustment, rust on the drum surface, or you may have worse. Such as a wheel cylinder that is stuck, or a leaking wheel cyl that has contaminated the shoes. My guess is that clean fluid flush and adjustment will have good brake operation without pulling.
Go down to Auto Zone and purchase one of their hand pump vac*** pumps. Connect it to the bleeder valve on the wheel and pump the old fluid out, keep adding clean in the MC and pump until you get clean in the "jar". OR Get four fruit jars and some hose, connect one end of the hose to the bleeder valve and other drop in the jar at each wheel. Fill each jar with clean fluid till it is above the hose, open your bleeders and pump your brake. Keep an eye on your MC and not let it go dry.
no problem gotgas...the shoes and drums are all new, nothing else is. The cylinders didnt look to be leaking when I changed everything, that doesnt mean they are okay though. Gonna start with the fluid and check the hoses, hardware, wheel bearings, everything. I dont dare flush some sort of "solvent" through the system, do I?
No, don't do that. If it can break down brake fluid, any residue that is left in the system afterwards could be dangerous. Check inside the drums to make sure that you don't have any grease or anything on them. That can make a sticky brake. Other than that, you might try rebuilding or replacing the wheel cylinders.
i have run rubbing alcohol through,followed by plenty of fresh brake fluid,with good results,but you should really take everything apart and clean it up. wheel and master cylinders can still be full of crud,even though they aren't leaking.
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