On 6/26/98 2:31 PM so and so Dave Formstone said. (And I quote)
Phillip,
I agree with Dave. Get the kits and hoses and replace/rebuild. The
easiest way I have found to bleed the brakes is - not one o' them new
fangled devices that sell for $$ but get a piece of rubber hose that fits
the bleed nipple, get an 35mm film canister, use a wet/dry vac. Cut a
hole in the bottom of the film can to fit the hose. Put the hose on the
bleed nipple, put the big end of the film can on the hose for the w/d
vac. open bleed valve, turn on vac. Make sure that there is plenty of
fluid in the MasterCylinder. Might want a helper to watch and fill as
needed. Experience, I didn't, I let the cylinder go dry on the drivers
front brake and had to start all over again. Make sure you do in proper
order. Farthest from the cylinder to nearest. RR, LR, RF, LF.
Oh yea, if you use a clear hose you can see bubbles and when the clean,
clear fluid starts to flow. although I am not sure if the clear plastic
hose will hold up to the brake fluid. (never tried it)
Good Luck and keep us posted. (I have been enjoying reading your posts as
I just went through the same thing last year, although I have a leetle
more experience.)
Larry Macy
78 Midget
>For the time it takes I would remove the front brake cylinders for
>overhaul. The repair kits are not expensive and the job is simple enough.
>It sounds to me as though the slave cylinders are sticking, maybe frozen?
>Along with this goes piece-of-mind knowing your brakes are as good as they
>can be.
>Regards
>Dave Formstone
>1960 Bugeye
>
>----------
>From: Philip Hubbard[SMTP:phubbard@carroll.com]
>Sent: June 25, 1998 22:45 PM
>To: spridgets@autox.team.net
>Subject: Brakes - Confused
>
>Now I =am= confused.
>
>Following list advice, I decided to try and see if my brakes locking on and
>staying locked was a problem with my flexible hoses. I was told to loosen
>the connection and if the brakes unlocked, the problem was in my hoses.
>
>I went to the car to test. On a whim I decided to depress the brake pedal
>before loosening the flexible hose. The pedal went almost to the floor
>several times and then seemed to build up pressure and was firm. It has
>never done that before. Last time I was driving (seems many moons ago)
>brakes seemed fine. Ok, now to check the brakes. Both front brakes are
>locked on solid.
>
>I loosened the driver's side hose at the chassis until it started weeping
>fluid. No change in the locked on status of my brake. Tightened it back
>up to stop the leak. Was this not enough of a test? Should I have
>loosened the connection as I did and then loosen the connection at the
>brake caliper to fairly test it?
>
>BTW, brake fluid level seemed to be high, but I swear there was a pile of
>deposits in the resevoir. Could some of this gunk be blocking my lines
>somewhere? What to do now? Bleed the system dry and flush it somehow?
>I'm starting to doubt it is my flexible hoses and is something more general.
>
>I never noticed a problem until I started doing the front suspension. How
>frustrating. Any advice is welcome and appreciated greatly.
>
>Philip
>Burgundy 1974 Midget
>
Larry B. Macy, Ph.D.
macy@bblmail.psycha.upenn.edu
System Manager/Administrator
Neuropsychiatry Section
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce St. - 10 Gates
Philadelphia, PA 19104
In a world without walls or fences, what use do we have for windows or
gates?
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