Brake bleed / flush : teh hell am I doing wrong?!?! [pix]

[Phat1842Many]

master cylinder assembly

• Phat1842Many
• Jan 5, 2016

I did the MC piston swap on my '99. The bore of the MC is perfect. Since I was going to have to bleed everything I installed Slee's ss brake line kit too. Everything has gone smoothly. There are no leaks anywhere. I even made sure the bleeders are cleaned out and passing air with teflon tape on the seams for good measure.

bleeder valves

• Phat1842Many
• Jan 5, 2016

I've read every post I can and I've looked at the free '03 FSM.

I bled the hydraulic brake booster by pumping the pedal over 40 times (57 times). The first 12 pumps the pedal was jammed to the floor (JtF from here on) where I had to pull with a bit of force to get the pedal to come back up. After putting the key in the ON position the pump ran for 35 seconds, perfectly between the 30-40 the FSM specifies.

Leaving the key in the ON position, I pumped 20 times (25 really) as per the FSM with the first 12 pumps, again, JtF. After three pumps I can hear the motor working.

Now with the pedal down (I didn't need to get the wife or bro cause the pedal is JtF) I cracked the front-left valve. I've done this multiple times with nothing. No air or fluid tries to escape. Same for the front-right valve. When I crack the valve it doesn't cause the pedal to return.

When I finished installing the new MC piston I tried to bench bleed the assembly by hand pumping the piston. While there were some drips I was unable to get fluid flowing. Was I supposed to orient the piston in a certain way? Could I have a busted MC? My brakes were ok before starting all this, albeit with a mushy pedal and less than perky stopping.

When I tried bleeding yesterday I got the rears bled. The ABS light and buzzer went off periodically. None of that now and I can't get pressure to the rear brakes. Pump n hold, crack the valve and no air or fluid comes out. I thought I was just going to have to figure out the fronts today but now I can't even get the rears to respond.

I've bled brakes before, numerous times, successfully with no issues. I'm 3.5 banana capable. Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks for any help.

Phat-

As she sits now...

on jacks

• Phat1842Many
• Jan 5, 2016

 

[Skidoo]

Did you use teflon tape on your brake hoses and other brake line connections. If so remove "ALL" of it including the bleeders.
What type of cleaner did you use on MC?
Blow air through your lines to ensure they are clear, make sure your new hoses didn't get over crimped or damaged during manufacturing.

 

[2001LC]

Sounds like air in system/lines hopefully. I'd start over, bleeding booster (key off), then start at wheel closes to master (key on) "front DS then PS, rear DS then PS".

Tip: Hold that pedal down hard until bleeder valve is re-tightened. I find using clear tube into glass jar works best.

EDIT 1/7/16 See FSM below: It states Right (PS) and Left (DS) not then, so not sure if it makes difference. I just like bleeding closes first.

 

[Phat1842Many]

Teflon only on the bleeders. I'll pull it off and blow air.

I've got the clear tube into a jar going. I'll start over tomorrow after I pick up some more fluid.

thankyouthankyou

 

[Skidoo]

Disconnect front brake line(s) at MC and open bleeders to blow air from MC end.
If they are plugged check hoses.

 

[nismopowered]

From what I remember you key on the rear and the pump will bleed the rears. Then the fronts get pedal bleed. Drive and make sure to engage the abs a couple of times and rebleed. I know the first time I bleed a 100 got nothing out the rears till I did the key on thing.

 

[2001LC]

 

[trizzo]

From what I remember you key on the rear and the pump will bleed the rears. Then the fronts get pedal bleed. Drive and make sure to engage the abs a couple of times and rebleed. I know the first time I bleed a 100 got nothing out the rears till I did the key on thing.

can you also use Techstream to initiate the ABS bleeding?

 

[PADDO]

Yes, Techstream ABS bleeding is a simple, quick procedure. I've done it several times on my 03 LX, YMMV for earlier MYs. Following BR-4 - the brake bleeding procedure - where it states "hand held tester" you go to Techstream, ABS, Utility's and select "ABS bleeding". Too easy.

 

[trizzo]

Yes, Techstream ABS bleeding is a simple, quick procedure. I've done it several times on my 03 LX, YMMV for earlier MYs. Following BR-4 - the brake bleeding procedure - where it states "hand held tester" you go to Techstream, ABS, Utility's and select "ABS bleeding". Too easy.

excellent, thanks @PADDO !!!!