Greg,
I was in the 388th in Korat, Thailand 1973 to 1975. I was working in POL
(fuel storage for the rest of you) at the time. Small world.
Mike MacLean-60 Sprite
Gregory_Schulz@mil-elect-tool.com wrote:
> There are alot of opinions about brake bleeding, and alot of what I've read
> on the list is true. But if I've learned anything about bleeding brakes
> (from B-52 bombers and F4E fighters to automobiles of all types), patience
> is indeed a virtue here.
>
> Point #1: as mentioned previously on the list, bleeding the master cylinder
> first is Job #1.
> Point #2: as mentioned previously on the list, bleeding the brakes furthest
> from the MC first and then working through in order to the nearest is
> correct.
>
> The problem of trapped air in the lines can sometimes be made worse by
> pumping the brake pedal too often or too enthusiastically. This causes
> foaming and disperses the existing trapped air to even more places. In
> severe cases, two things can be done in the following order:
>
> 1. Gravity bleeding: once you have fluid going down into the system crack
> the bleeder on the farthest brake and let it drip into a jar through a hose
> attached to the bleeder. Walk away. Check the reservoir periodically and
> keep it full. Close the bleeder after an hour or two and repeat on each of
> the remaining brakes in the usual order. (That's right - you're Saturday is
> now history and the family plans are shot to hell.) The slow self-siphoning
> movement of the fluid through the lines will push the majority of trapped
> air out without the threat of foaming.
>
> 2. Vacuum bleeding: now that most of the air is out, grab yourself a
> Mity-Vac hand vacuum pump (21.00 at WallMart), and while you're at it grab
> an assistant. While you crack the bleeders and pull a slight, repeat
> slight, vacuum at the bleeder the last of the air will come out as the
> assistant keeps that reservoir full. An instruction manual with the pump is
> very informative. Repeat on each of the remaining brakes in the usual
> order. To eliminate false air bubble indications, apply heavy grease to the
> bleeder threads.
>
> If there are no faulty components in the system this will work everytime.
>
> Greg Schulz
> VSCDA vintage racer, Grp. 2, Sprite #517
> Former "Bubble Chaser", USAF, 1968-1972
> 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), 19th & 419th Bomb Wing (SAC)
> Cedarburg, WI
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