Bleeding brakes

[MikeJones16]

Im trying to bleed my rear brakes but None of my wrenches are fitting over the valve.. Was just wondering if there was a special size or anything. Thanks.

[72longbed]

You may need different wrenches .........

Seriously .... someone may have put metric bleeders in there. Try your metric and standards before giving up on them. Not being there ... thats all I can suggest.


72

[MikeJones16]

I tired both and cant seem to get a great grip on em. They kinda like to strip easy.

[Daze57]

vice grips - but be careful =that can strip them also- also use a good penatrating oil to loosen them up - and also try brake line flare wrenches

[donut]

iirc my '73 was 5/16.
Give them a quick wirebrushing to remove rust, dirt and soak them down with penetrating oil. May as well hit the brake line fitting while your there.

I use a 1/4 drive socket to break them loose, sometimes tapped on to get a good fit. If they're rounded off I have used Vice-Grips with moderate success.

IF you get them loose without snapping them off, you should be able to get new bleeders at the parts store (if needed). Now a days, if I snap off the bleeder, I just replace the wheel cylinder. Not worth my effort to try to remove the old one when a whole new assembly is about 10.00.

I haven't tried it, but I think a 5 yr old can snap off brake bleeders without to much effort.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by MikeJones16

I tired both and cant seem to get a great grip on em. They kinda like to strip easy.

Try using a 6-point socket.

[TheWhiteElephant]

Originally Posted by donut

IF you get them loose without snapping them off, you should be able to get new bleeders at the parts store (if needed). Now a days, if I snap off the bleeder, I just replace the wheel cylinder. Not worth my effort to try to remove the old one when a whole new assembly is about 10.00.

I haven't tried it, but I think a 5 yr old can snap off brake bleeders without to much effort.

I'm with donut on this one. You'd better replace the cylinders. They will come with new ones. If the screws are in bad shape, that is also likely the condition of the wheel cylinders.

[MikeJones16]

6 point did the trick. Now the fluid is having a hard time reaching the back ( all new brake lines) Should i just keep trying and they'll eventually come out?

[454stepside]

you might need to take them out and clean out the holes to get them to bleed or just replace them might be best

[MikeJones16]

I cleaned them out and poked holes with a needle pin. they should have no problem working. its just the fluid isn't reaching the brakes. I've tried 6-7 times and the fluid hasn't reached through yet.

[454stepside]

i just did a truck with new lines make sure all of your fittings are tight and maybe just open them up for a while and let the fluid gravity bleed down and the do the normal bleed on them after fluid starts to come out all four corners

[LONGHAIR]

You have probable "popped" the proportioning valve. This cuts-off the fluid to the end that has lost the pressure balance.
Is the "brake" light on?

[MikeJones16]

Brake light is not on. I only took er around the block for the first time. with only the front brakes bled.

[BMERDOC]

Completely remove the rear screws, fill the resevior up as much as possible, reinstall the m/c cap and pump the brake pedal with slow strokes about 7 or 8 times. Repeat the process until you get fluid. Once you get fluid, close the RR bleader and bleed the LR (driver's rear) until you get nice clear fluid. Go back and finish bleeding the RR. I had troubles bleeding mine and this process helped.
I did use graivity bleeding to completely flush the system as well. The rears are way more stubborn than the fronts.

[MikeJones16]

If i pump the brake with the screw out. Wouldn't that bring air in?

[BMERDOC]

Its already full of air. Your main goal at this point is to get the majority out so that you can put the bleeders back in and bleed the rest.

[MikeJones16]

alright. i'll go give er a try.

[BMERDOC]

You may even wanna crack one of the nuts loose at the union near the front of the frame to see if you can get rid of an air pocket near there.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by MikeJones16

Brake light is not on. I only took er around the block for the first time. with only the front brakes bled.

Ok, dumb question....Does the brake light work?
If the front works and the back is full of air, the valve is very likely popped.
You have to get that re-centered first or it will never push fluid to the rear.
Sometimes, as bad as it sounds, you have to open one of the bleeders on the front to relieve the pressure. This can balance things out and get the fluid flowing again.

[MikeJones16]

The light probably doesn't work.

And I still haven't got any fluid out the rear. Would one of those vaccum brake things that suck the fluid through work?