anyone know how to bleed a front brake line?
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anyone know how to bleed a front brake line?
Hey, so I'm trying to replace a front brake line that's rusted out, and I know I'll have to bleed the line when I'm done. It appears to me that the bleed screw is in the side of the brake caliper. Is that true? if it is completely rusted shut, does that mean that I need to also replace this caliper to change the line, or can I just replace a brake piston or something like you can in the rear with the drums? I can't tell if it's all one piece in there or if there' s a removable piston in the caliper that can be replaced by itself.
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x2 its super easy to do. i did mine last weekend when i did my rear brakes... but i cheated and used a pressure can. just start at the wheel furthest from the master cylinder and work your way around the truck
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Thanks! I did just that after replacing the line, and it worked well. Got the valve open with very little trouble. a little PB blaster goes a long way. only bled the one wheel that I replaced the line to and the brakes feel fine. work well. they said the air bubbles could get back to the rear brakes through the proportioning valve, but I can't even find a proportioning valve on the truck!
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While I can understand why someone doesn't want more work, bleeding brake lines is an often overlooked and easy to do maintenance item. Probably the reason the line rusted out was because it wasn't bleed. So that means the other lines are probably going to rust out too (if the rusting out was internal - not external). Also contaminated fluid is also going to cause problems with the calipers and cylinders. The brake fluid absorbs moisture (hygroscopic) during its life which causes rust to form in side the brake system as the moisture content increases. Bleeding it out cleans it out and you will have much few problems with your brakes. How many times have you had your brake pads/shoes replaced and they tell you you need new calipers/cylinders? Bleed them every 2 years and your problems will be much less.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
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No one gets down to the nitty gritty here but all of us are guilty of that..just replacing what needs to be replaced....Its a ***** but they should be looked at or bled once a year. I know I get my wheels off at least twice a year so having another dozen tools out wont make a difference. You should bleed them just to crack the bleeder valve to keep it from rusting shut. Remove the cap on the master cylinder and start with the furthest wheel form the master cylinder ( rear passenger and then to the rear driver) just crack the bleeder and allow it to drip for a few minutes, after the fluid seems to be clearer the when you started it, close the bleeder valve and reopen it just a bit ( 1/4 turn ), have some one push the brake pedal slowly while you use your index finger to apply a little pressure to the the flow of brake fluid. Don't allow the pedal to come back up till you cover the bleeder valve with you finger, you might suck a bit of air back into the brake cylinder. Do this at least 3 times. On the fourth time have your closed end wrench on the bleeder valve ready to close it. Make sure the pedal is still on the way down before you close the bleeder valve. The fronts are almost the same but easier, you can turn the wheels to get a better look at the bleeder valve. Top off the master cylinder after each wheel and fill to proper level when the truck is back on the ground. Thats how I go about doing it, its has to be done so we don't get those $400 dollar estimates when the brake shop calls....
Good Luck...
Good Luck...
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hornedfrog1985
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05-29-2011 09:41 PM