Bleeding brakes

Jimmy van

Jimmy van

Active Member
Hi guys, I have just spent the morning on Jimmy trying to sort out the brakes. Even after fitting a master cylinder repair kit I still can't get any brake fluid to come out of the cylinder let alone through the slaves. Is this normal does it have to be pressure bled
 
I do normally use an Easy-Bleed to start with but they should bleed ok using the traditional method if you have a helper to hand. It could be that the piston is stuck down in the master cylinder, give it a couple of sharp taps with a blunt instrument and see if it's any better.
 
It's got me a bit stumped as it was like that before I changed the cylinder rubbers, I will try to get hold of an easy bleed and see if that works. On the bright side I've refit the carb after giving it an overhaul and the engine appears to be tickertyboo, the side lights now work and I've found and refit the sliding door seals. Who needs brakes lol
 
Try putting a piece of tube from the bleed nipple into a container, open the nipple and just keep pumping until the fluid is drawn through - sorry if this is the method you use but I've faffed about doing the open nipple, pedal down, close nipple, pedal up thing for ages when all it needs is a damned good thrashing;)
 
Cheers but nothing seems to draw the fluid out even if I take the brake pipe out of the cylinder that's why I'm thinking I need to try pressure bleeding
 
Is the fluid actually getting down from the reservoir, the pipe that connects it to the cylinder has rubber bends on it, you may find that one has collapsed:(
 
I've replaced all that and it flows like a gudden down to the cylinder. When I stripped the cylinder down I blew through the little reservoir pipe to make sure it was clear. The only thing that I'm questioning myself about is that in my kit there was the usual white plastic piece that fits in the end of the spring but within the original setup was a rubber one which seemed in perfectly good order, I think I might strip it out and try the other part cus in 30 years of mechanicing I've never know brake fluid to not flow through a master
 
It does sound like a stuck piston, maybe the new seals are a little tight and just need that little bit of hydraulic pressure behind them to free off.
 
When I had a leaking master cylinder I tried both kits from speedies and neither had the right bits for the cylinder on my van. Maybe the cylinder is not a standard one so the service kit is wrong? I got a new cylinder off Martin in the end and all worked fine. Hope you sought it out.
 
I have always replaced a m/c rather than rebuild it. It has to come out anyway so easier and quicker to replace the whole thing.
 
I always hate putting new stuff on even if it means spending a whole weekend repairing something old. I have just purchased an easibleed but there isn't a suitable connector so I'm going to either adapt My reservoir cap or see if I can get hold of a second hand one
 
So a £4.50 seal kit from speedy spares and £19.99 for a gunson easy bleed seems to have solved the problem and I now have pressure at the pedal. Stopping is a different matter though lol
 
As a matter of interest the reservoir lid and the easy bleed was a disaster so instead I drained it (the reservoir) and went directly into the master. I wish now I had thought of that before charging in like a hyperactive kid off his head on blue smarties
 
Thinking about it I did buy a new Easy bleed but I had to use the cap that came with the old set I'd had for years - once I'd found it:rolleyes:
Sorry forgot about that:oops:
 
I wish.......there's 11 years of being Sat outside to do. It really does need a lot of tlc (time,lottsa cash) I've got him running and he sounds sweet apart from a sticking carb float and a leaking rad. I'm hoping a good engine service is all that is needed. The brakes have been a pig to free off and obviously get a pedal but it's all to be expected.so it's just brakes,welding,electrics,tyres,radiator a complete interior refurbishment. And respray to go:)
 
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