Frustrating brake problem, help!

[csangster]

Okay,

I just installed a Warn Full float kit on my bronco.

The install requires detaching the rear brake lines from the brake cylinders and taking the entire backing plate with drum brake components off and setting it aside to put on the spindles.

Now everything went fine until I was hooking the brake lines back up and bleeding the system.

Keep in mind this entire axle is only 1-2 years old. I bought a 76 rear axle and replaced everything on it. Before the Warn upgrade the Bronco drove perfectly fine, no brake issues what so ever.

Like I said, everything was fine until I was bleeding the system. I started at the passenger rear drum, this one bled just fine, no air bubbles. Went to the driver rear drum and every time I hit the brake pedal, it looks okay until about half stroke and then a little bevy of bubbles runs through the bleed tube, as much as I bleed it, it never stops.

Two questions:

1) What the heck is going on? This brake cylinder should NOT be bad, I do not see any leaks anywhere. And it is only 1-2 years old.

2) What is the best apparatus used to bleed the brake system. I bought the el-cheapo Autozone plastic bottle on a magnet and plastic hose set up. Everytime I have bled the brakes on this rig for the past 3.5 years, I have had NO problems. NOW I do. I find it hard to believe that it is my bleeding aparatus, but I don't want to eliminate any options.

Please help me out where you can...

Thanks,
Chris

 

[SteveL]

You could try one of the pressue bleeders. If it keeps happening on the rear left something is wrong. Slight crack in the line or a loose fitting.

 

[SaddleUp]

It sounds like you have a leak on that side somewhere. My guess would be the connection between the line and the wheel cylinder. It could be the wheel cylinder itself as well though. Did you run the master cylinder dry? If so then it could take a bit to get all of the air back out. Form the description though it really sounds like a leak somewhere.

 

[csangster]

Brake problem

It sounds like you have a leak on that side somewhere. My guess would be the connection between the line and the wheel cylinder. It could be the wheel cylinder itself as well though. Did you run the master cylinder dry? If so then it could take a bit to get all of the air back out. Form the description though it really sounds like a leak somewhere.

All,

When I bleed the driver side, there is an audible sound like a hiss (or something similar). Is there a way I can test the brake cylinder? Or should I just spend the money and buy a new one?

thanks,
Chris

 

[Nobody]

If there is a leak, close the bleeder and pump the hell out of brake and try to make it leak. If you have power brakes, do with the engine running. You should be able to identify any leak.

 

[csangster]

Brakes

If there is a leak, close the bleeder and pump the hell out of brake and try to make it leak. If you have power brakes, do with the engine running. You should be able to identify any leak.

Nobody,

Excellent point, I'll give that a shot.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[WheelHorse]

any luck?

 

[chuck]

You may be shcking air back in around the threads of the bleeder. Try pushing the peddle down and hold, close bleeder, let peddle up, pump peddle and hold, open bleeder, close bleeder repeat

 

[csangster]

Brakes

You may be shcking air back in around the threads of the bleeder. Try pushing the peddle down and hold, close bleeder, let peddle up, pump peddle and hold, open bleeder, close bleeder repeat

No luck yet,

I need to get my wife out there with me to give me a hand. I will definitely try it though.

My brakes are working decent enough, I had to panic stop because of a jerk in traffic yesterday and locked them up.....still a tiny bit spongy though so I will give your recommendation a shot.

Thanks,
Chris