The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Bleeding brake Pump

I borrowed, from a friend, a Craftsman bleed brake hand pump. I primed the MC last night.
Today, I went to the right rear drum and tried to use the pump. After a few minutes there is still no fluid and the pump is working. There is a little plastic bottle with the pump to catch the fluid. What am I doing wrong? Does the little bottle have to have any fluid in it to start? First time using this thing.
I am thinking of moving on to the old school way and talk my wife into helping me out with the ol foot pushing action.
Thanks
jon

With a completley dry system, it may take it a bit to get fluid to the bleeders. You might try taking the cover off the MC, sometimes that helps. Also, you might be starting with the wrong wheel. On the TF trucks, you start with the LR, as it is the longest line with the OE brake line routing.

Hi Bill,
Yes, the lines are new. So, it doesn't matter if the cap is on the master cylinder?

Thank you

Not with vacuum bleeding. Sometimes, having the cap off helps by allowing for easier fluid flow.
On the lines, are they routed like the stock ones, with the line to the rear axle on the right frame rail? in addition, is the T on the axle on the right side?

let me check,
But yes the lines are stock style SS and do run along the right frame rail..but let me check on the T fitting

Here is what I found brake line 2

Alright. Yes, that's stock routing. You'll want tot start at the left rear, the RR, RF, LF. You always want to do the longest line first.

OK,
Thank you Bill I will give it another go. It is late where you are..Thank you for staying up!
let you know how it goes. If not I will just do it the old fashion way.

Jon

Have fluid at all 4 wheels. Adjusted the rear brakes and pedal still goes to the floor. Can't get to the front wheels tonight. I still have very very small bubbles coming out the bleeder. Not sure if that is OK. Part of the problem was not all the line ends were tight.

Bleed brakes again and adjusted pads. Still no pressure when pushing the pedal down...Any ideas?

Thanks!

MC is a pump...if it's assembled, installed & connected properly, fluid MUST be going somewhere, even if it's leaking back past the MC piston.
What's the vehicle?
How much fluid have you gone thru so far?
New/rebuilt MC?

Hi Star,
Thank you for the help.
The MC is new from NAPA. The truck is a 1957 Chevy 3100. I am restoring it back to stock. All new ss lines, hoses,and brakes. I did notice a drip or 2 from the front of the MC right at the rubber boot. Not sure if that is from filling the reservoir. I had to tighten the lines. Will check everything again.

Are the shoes all four wheels adjusted per the manual? If yes and you can get some pedal by pumping it, you still have air in the lines. Is the master cyclinder linkage adjusted per the manual? You should be able to get all fluid with no bubbles when bleeding.

I went out to the truck tonight and there is a puddle of brake fluid under the driver front wheel. The fluid is coming out from under the spindle pic . Do you think I have a bad wheel cylinder? All new from NAPA.
I have yet to take the drum off to see what happened.

Thank you,

Jon

yes, could be the cylinder, but check the line fitting .... NAPA carries 2 versions of those cylinders, one Chinese and way cheaper than the US one, if it's the Chinese version change it regardless

Bill

I'm inclned to think it's the line. Might be a bad gasket at the wheel cylinder, or it may not be compressed enough to make a good seal.

OK,
Think I figured it out, The rubber line coming from the frame to WC was loose. I need to go back over the entire truck to check the work that was done. The WC was dry on the brakepad side. The shop doing the body work and partial rebuild of the truck left alot of bolts loose. I put cardboard under the whole thing and see how it is in the morning. Hope that is it! Thank you guys!
Jon

There is just a small spot of fluid now. Not wet but about the size of a silver dollar. I hope it is just the residue. I will keep an eye on it. Thanks.