Brake Bleeding Help Needed - Newbie

[fatmxmnr]

I am in the process of doing a total brake job on all 4 wheels of my '69, from the wheel cylinder out. My question is...do I bleed the brakes after putting in the new wheel cylinder, but before putting on the shoes/drums or do I put everything all the way back together and then bleed the brakes?

Also what method do you all recommend to bleed brakes...gravity, open/close bleeder screw, etc?

Thanks

[BMERDOC]

Bleed it when its all together. I like to gravity bleed until I've flushed out the nasty stuff and finish off with a open/close pressure bleed.

[68gmsee]

Put everything back and then bleed the brakes this way the brake cylinders are retracted to their resting or normal position.


oops. Just noticed BMER's post. As he said...

[fastwillie 696969]

my advise is get some one with experience to help ya so that you dont make a bad mistake.im not sayin you cant do it ,just til you get good experience your self .if you do the brakes take pictures of the brakes and do one side at a time .

[fatmxmnr]

Thanks guys,

Anyone know of a member in the Albuquerque area that might be willing to stop by and give me a hand?

[Jobe72]

Bleed the farthest one first, typically the right rear then left rear, right front and then left front...and as stated above, after everything is back in place. If you are replacing the master you need to bench bleed that prior to installing and bleeding the entire system. And yes, having a helper relaly helps!

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by fatmxmnr

....Anyone know of a member in the Albuquerque area that might be willing to stop by and give me a hand?

Too far for me () but just dive in and do it! Good learning experience and I guarantee 90% or more of us started without any help. If you have any mechanical ability you'll be able to do yourself. Just be sure and read up on how to do it.

Now if it's your daily driver and are short on time then you may need some help.

If any problems or questions come up then post it on here. Lots of us have done it more times than we can count and probably encountered every concievable obstacle.

Be sure and have all parts beforehand:
Shoes, spring kits, wheel cylinders, plenty of brake fluid, several cans of brake cleaner spray, goggles to save your eyes, front and rear rubber brake hoses and have the drums turned! Cost me $7 each to turn over here.

Tools:
Brake adjusting tool, vise grips, spring removal and reinstalling tools.

[treveiger]

Ss
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[fatmxmnr]

Another question...I have the front driver side put back together. It sounds like the shoes are rubbing slightly against the drum, but only in one area as the axle is turned. I have checked to make sure the self-adjuster is tightened down all the way. I've also checked to make sure the shoes are seated correctly on the post at the top of the back plate. Any ideas on how to fix this issue or will it kind of take care of itself within the first couple days of driving?

Thanks

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by fatmxmnr

Another question...I have the front driver side put back together. It sounds like the shoes are rubbing slightly against the drum, but only in one area as the axle is turned. I have checked to make sure the self-adjuster is tightened down all the way. I've also checked to make sure the shoes are seated correctly on the post at the top of the back plate. Any ideas on how to fix this issue or will it kind of take care of itself within the first couple days of driving?

Thanks

I have never had a brake shoe not do that on a drum and usually that corrects itself after you start using the truck. Re-do the adjustment after you drive it for a few miles and don't do any sudden, slamming the brakes stops until the the shoes are well broken in -barring any emergency of course...

[fatmxmnr]

while in the process of bleeding, I started having trouble with the front driver side. I could build up some pressure, but then after releasing the bleeder screw the second or third time to get the air out, I would loose pressure. I would then check the master cylinder and when I would open it, I could hear air hissing. Any ideas? I replaced the flexible brake line today in case it was cracked a little during the fix.

I also noticed today when I was putting everything back together, that there is a small slit in the side of the rubber boot on the end of the wheel cylinder. Is this a problem?

Thanks

[cell]

I've always wanted to make a pressure bleeder.

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed...eder/index.htm

not sure how easy it would be to find a spare master cylinder cap though.