Brake bleeding problem-update
Rig is a ’95 FZJ80 with about 86K miles on it. I bought it last month. Rear appear to be original calipers and about 50% pads. Pads were replaced by the PO a while ago. Front is newer rotors, but recently turned and recent brand new calipers and pads done by Midas by the PO.
Brakes have been very mushy since I’ve had it. My thoughts were a very poor brake job by Midas. Specificly bleeding. When I got it, the brake resevor was overfilled. I decided to bleed myself using a vacuum pump.
Started at the RR and then noticed that the calipers became loose after bleeding, but tightened up after pumping the brakes, so the procedure I did was, vacuum bleed, tighten bleeder, pump brakes, vacuum bleed, etc. Then did the LR, then the LSPV. The pedal seem to get really firm. Much more than ever before. I thought I fixed all my problems. At that point I had used a whole large bottle of DOT 3.
Then I started on the RF. I got nothing but air after multiple vacuum pumps. Finally got a tiny bit of fluid and eventually a little more, but not much at all. I was thinking that maybe the bleeder was sucking air from behind since it looks like a POS aftermarket caliper. Tried the LF with same results. Lots of air, then a tiny bit of fluid after a while.
But pedal seemed firm, so I started the engine and the pedal went straight to the floor. Pumped a few times and it helped a bit then back to the floor.
So, my question is this. Could I really have had that much air the front brakes, yet they still somewhat functioned? And if air is my problem, why are the brakes even worse, now that I’ve moved a good chunk of that air out, although apparently not all of it.
I’ll guess I’ll just keep bleeding and seeing what happens. But I’ve spent a good couple of hours vacuum bleeding the front and I’m still only getting very little fluid out, compared to the rear which bleed very nicely. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post.
Rig is a ’95 FZJ80 with about 86K miles on it. I bought it last month. Rear appear to be original calipers and about 50% pads. Pads were replaced by the PO a while ago. Front is newer rotors, but recently turned and recent brand new calipers and pads done by Midas by the PO.
Brakes have been very mushy since I’ve had it. My thoughts were a very poor brake job by Midas. Specificly bleeding. When I got it, the brake resevor was overfilled. I decided to bleed myself using a vacuum pump.
Started at the RR and then noticed that the calipers became loose after bleeding, but tightened up after pumping the brakes, so the procedure I did was, vacuum bleed, tighten bleeder, pump brakes, vacuum bleed, etc. Then did the LR, then the LSPV. The pedal seem to get really firm. Much more than ever before. I thought I fixed all my problems. At that point I had used a whole large bottle of DOT 3.
Then I started on the RF. I got nothing but air after multiple vacuum pumps. Finally got a tiny bit of fluid and eventually a little more, but not much at all. I was thinking that maybe the bleeder was sucking air from behind since it looks like a POS aftermarket caliper. Tried the LF with same results. Lots of air, then a tiny bit of fluid after a while.
But pedal seemed firm, so I started the engine and the pedal went straight to the floor. Pumped a few times and it helped a bit then back to the floor.
So, my question is this. Could I really have had that much air the front brakes, yet they still somewhat functioned? And if air is my problem, why are the brakes even worse, now that I’ve moved a good chunk of that air out, although apparently not all of it.
I’ll guess I’ll just keep bleeding and seeing what happens. But I’ve spent a good couple of hours vacuum bleeding the front and I’m still only getting very little fluid out, compared to the rear which bleed very nicely. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post.
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