I have just installed new front brake pads on my 1985 Landcruiser. The right caliper was leaking, so I took it off and rebuilt it. After installation I tried to bleed the system. (A friend pumped the pedal ) there was some air coming and than nothing anymore. The pedal just goes to the floor with allmost no resistants and no brakes what so ever. The res. stays full .......
What did I do wrong- or better what to do to fix it.....
Thanks!
The rebuilt caliper ( or even the other side) sounds frozen/stuck. See if the piston is cocked in it's bore. If it is, then I'd consider re-rebuilding or just replacing the caliper.
I can press the pistons back in, then when pressing the prake pedal a few times the pistons push onto the pads but not enough to stop the axle from spinning. I have the front end lifted up and both brakes are now not working..... I am baffled....
When you say you rebuilt the front caliper...what do you mean? Did you purchase a caliper rebuild kit (and if yes, OEM preferred).
Have you worked on brakes before?
Pedal going to the floor is due to air in the lines. There's a sequence you need to follow to get all the air out of the lines. Did you do this?
You start with the longest line (Right Rear) then go the the next (Left Rear) then to the Right Front, then Left Front. You'll need at least one quart of brake fluid (DOT 4) to do this. Brake fluid is cheap, and old cruisers can have old fluids...it's a good idea to do the entire sequence twice just to be sure you get all the air out, and to make sure you've replaced all of the old fluid as well.
If any of this is confusing, or doesn't make sense, no offense, but I'd suggest you find a mechanic to do the job, or somebody who's done this before to walk you through it. It's not hard, but brakes are super important, and knowing what you are doing is key.
There are a bunch of cruiserheads in boulder FYI...
Yes, I have used a Oem kit. I also have wored on brakes before and bleed them in the correct sequence. I seem to have no leaksl and Fluid ( dot 3) is clear... However NO brakes what soever.....
Feels like master cylinder is completly gone - but than I can't believe the MC worked before the caliper rebuilt and just brakes at the same time..... when I want to bleed the brakes.....
It is likely an airlocked system. Need to vigorously pump & bleed or use a pressure bleeder.
That being said, I've had a few MC's fail while the car was on the rack getting bled after new calipers. It's because a normal car is never braked very hard, so the pedal only travels 50% of it's travel for years. Then the brakes are bled and the MC piston is shoved down into the sediment and rust at the very bottom of the MC bore= instant MC failure.
I would replace both Calipers not just one, bleed again in the proper order. if still no pedal sounds like the master is by passing, double check the brake lines too
