[last1]

Hey folks..

I have a 69 chevelle with power brakes(disk front drum rear),a few days ago I changed the calipers because I noticed when I hit the brakes the car would jerk to the left (not a cool feeling)...anyway,I changed both calipers,bled the back brakes and then the front...with the front,I started on the pass. side caliper and was getting nowhere fast,I used one of those one man bleeding pumps and the caliper just wouldn't fill with fluid...I started the car up,hit the brakes and it still wouldn't grab the rotor(the drivers side did)...any suggestions on what I need to do?...keep trying to bleed it?

Thanks,
Jack

 

[bubba68ss]

possible clog in the line? Start with the hose that goes between the caliper and frame and blow air through it. I assume your previous caliper wasnt getting fluid either, otherwise id say the new caliper's screwed up. Check for kinks. You could always remove the line that goes to that side that runs along the crossmember and inspect it as well. It has to be between the junction block and the caliper obviously. Your junction block might also have an obstruction..
good luck

 

[Chevl_Steve]

Take the bleeder valve all the way out and see if you can blow air through it. I just fixed a similar problem last night! That valve had got POR-15 inside it from when I was applying it near there somehow. Used a very small drill bit and by hand used that to clean it out.

Worked perfectly after I cleaned that valve out!

It should almost bleed by gravity on it's own if the valve is open.

Steve

 

[last1]

Thanks for the advice...I'll try them out this weekend.


Jack

 

[Herb]

I'd say, just from your description, that the old caliper wasn't getting fluid either. Therefore, you probably have a problem in the hose, hard line to that wheel or dist. block. Highest suspect would be the hose since it's "degradeable" over time. Crack the hose to hard line fitting and see if you get fluid shooting out there when you step on the brake pedal. If fluid squirts out under pressure, replace the hose. If no fluid there, crack the dist. block line fitting for that wheel. Do the same presure check. If no fluid there, remove distribution block and replace it. They aren't that expensive and since it's a safety item, I would.

I'm assuming you have pressure to the left caliper (you did check it, right?) so the MC and "'hold off" valve is good. If it's a stock 69 set up, I believe it uses a hold off valve, not a proportioning valve/block combo that is common to both front wheels. Pressure in one wheel and not the other would mean the valve is OK. One other note; one man bleeders are fine until you have a problem, then it's the 2 man, crack the fitting/bleeder, someone steps on pedal while you observe the amount and pressure of fluid escaping.

Let us know what you found so others may benefit.

 

[Olle]

Check the simple things first. As mentioned, the bleeders will be a good place to start. I have found quite a few bleeders that were stopped up by rust and other kinds of crud. Just replace them, they are cheap. Speed bleeders are great too, and not very expensive.

 

[1BadRat]

If the hose hasn't been replaced in a long time, I'd bet the hose was the culprit.

 

[Philip]

Calipers are designated right and left. If reversed the bleeder is not at the top and will make bleeding impossible.