Brake questions??

[CarGuy]

Simple question – Any special order in bleeding the brake lines on the SVO. I usually start with the right-rear, then left-rear, right-front, then left-front – is this correct? I was thinking about replacing the master cylinder too. I read the Haynes manual, and I don’t understand their bench bleeding technique for the master cylinder itself I can’t just bolt on a new one and bleed the lines?

Thanks

[SVOeric]

well the bench bleeding will save you hours of bleeding on the car---

it is simple,, connect the clear hoses (usually supplied) to the master cylnder, and route them back into the resivour --take something (I usually use a large philips head screwdriver) and press in the piston in(just like pressing the brake pedal) until you stop seeing bubbles in the resivour --

You should only need to do this if you empty the master-cylnder, or install a new one.

[richsvo]

CarGuy,

And, yes, that would be the correct order...logic being: bleed the longest line first, then the next longest, etc.

HTH,

Rich

[CarGuy]

Thanks! - Eric's explaination is a lot better than the Haynes. I appreciate the help guys

[CarGuy]

Eric - I have another silly question before I do the change-out...Would I be able to bench bleed the master cylinder while bolted on the car? Ex. just pump the brake, but don't have the lines connected (just the hoses going back to the reservoir)

Thanks

[SVOeric]

I normally do bleed mine in a vice before I put it on, but I see no reason you cant do it on the car -- it may take 2 people tho -- sometimes it is hard to keep the lines run into the resivour.

[CarGuy]

I was asking if I could do it from the car, first because I just put a nice coat of gloss black paint on it, and second I don't have a vice to work with at the moment I needed a second person there either way, so I could do the brake lines.

Thanks again

[SVOeric]

Be very careful with the paint then --- the brake fluid will bubble as the air bubbles work themselves out ---

brake fluid seems to be attracted to paint, and the newer the paint, the stronger the attraction --

cover fenders, and everything else you can get a cover over....

[Ken Potter]

Broom handle or something...

I never have anybody to help me bleed brakes. I keep a broom handle in the garage that way I can pump the brake pedal from outside the car and add fluid at the same time ( for bench bleed ). It's a little tricky but with some practice it can be done. I also recommend the self bleeding kit from MityVac. I bought mine through the Eastwood catalog but I think they might have them at PepBoys or other stores. The kit comes with the vacuum pump ( hand held ) and all the tubing you will need. I also recommend lots of towels / shop rags under the master cylinder to catch any spillage. Also you can probably forget about your paint job on the master cylinder. Even if you don't spill any now while doing the brakes it will eventually start to peel / back away from the metal over time. I've found "Nylac" clear stands up alittle longer than paint. Or powder-coating will not peel off also.

[CarGuy]

Man - you were right. Brake fluid everywhere I think I can get by with shooting the paint on the spilled spots while it is on the car tho. Bleeding that car is crazy tho - it shoots that fluid up in the air like its a geiser I don't ever recall such a messy job on my other cars.

Thanks for all the help tho - I just have to give it a test drive now to see the results.

Eric - the master cyl. that I bought had plugs for the side that you were suppose to bench bleed it with. Although that probably would have been a little easier(less messy), your way seemed better - so that's what I did