Ive got an 02 GT. The drivers front caliper locked up on me so i replaced the caliper, rotor, and pads on that side. When i took the brake line off of the caliper the master cylinder completely drained. When i tried to bleed the brakes i had no pedal at all. Had my son pump the brakes while i bled them. Whats weird is i had clean fluid with NO air coming out of each bleeder. I bleed the front and back lines. After bleeding the entire system i still had NO pedal at all. It goes completely to the floor. I am absolutely stumped as to what the problem can be. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your help.
Brake Problem after replacing front caliper..
- Thread starter Morgstang
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wmburns
SN Certified Technician
Did you let the master cylinder run dry? If so, the master cylinder will need to be bleed.
How are you bleeding the brakes? I have been taught to start at the wheel farthest from the master cylinder. Have the helper apply pressure on the brake pedal. Open the bleeder screw. When the pedal goes to the floor, close the bleeder screw. Return pedal to normal position. Repeat until fluid is clear.
Do not let the master cylinder run dry. No more than 10-15 pumps before its time to refill.
The manual will say that a master cylinder can not be bleed on the car (needs to be level).
I suspect that you forgot to block the brake pedal half way down when the system was open. This allowed the brake fluid to drain out during the repair.
How are you bleeding the brakes? I have been taught to start at the wheel farthest from the master cylinder. Have the helper apply pressure on the brake pedal. Open the bleeder screw. When the pedal goes to the floor, close the bleeder screw. Return pedal to normal position. Repeat until fluid is clear.
Do not let the master cylinder run dry. No more than 10-15 pumps before its time to refill.
The manual will say that a master cylinder can not be bleed on the car (needs to be level).
I suspect that you forgot to block the brake pedal half way down when the system was open. This allowed the brake fluid to drain out during the repair.
hotrodredneck
New Member
you have to get two brake lines that you can cut and bend into the master cyl. with fittings to screw into where the brake lines normally. fill the MS, and pump slowly till all the bubbles stop. then hook your brake lines back up and bleed normally
hotrodredneck
New Member
if you took the lines off the MS to bleed it, yes. I would recommend it anyway, since you had air in the MS while bleeding them before
wmburns
SN Certified Technician
One school of thought is "the proof is in the pudding". IE it works.
If we assume that the vacuum pump was used to pull the fluid through the MC into the wheel cylinder, then then the combination is bleed.
If on the other hand, you used the pump to pull a vacuum on the MC (without disconnecting the lines), well IDK since I have never done it that way (However, see above).
For the future, when doing brake repairs where the system will be open for an extended period of time, take a 2x4 and jam it between the seat and the pedal. Move the seat forward so that the pedal is blocked halfway down. This will block off the refill port in the MC preventing the fluid from running out.
Obviously with the brake pedal blocked the brake lights will be on all the time. It may be a good idea to disconnect the battery neg.
If we assume that the vacuum pump was used to pull the fluid through the MC into the wheel cylinder, then then the combination is bleed.
If on the other hand, you used the pump to pull a vacuum on the MC (without disconnecting the lines), well IDK since I have never done it that way (However, see above).
For the future, when doing brake repairs where the system will be open for an extended period of time, take a 2x4 and jam it between the seat and the pedal. Move the seat forward so that the pedal is blocked halfway down. This will block off the refill port in the MC preventing the fluid from running out.
Obviously with the brake pedal blocked the brake lights will be on all the time. It may be a good idea to disconnect the battery neg.
Glad you found your problem, but yeah, the master cylinder has two bleeder nuts you need to bleed. When I put the 4.6L drivetrain in my notch I had no pedal. After bleeding the calipers...nothing, then the master...bingo.
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