How is the best way to purge brake lines

I have to do a brake job on old Betsy and need to totally change the brake fuid at the same time.

Is it best to totally drain the system, do repairs and then re-fill eveything?

Or just undo what I have to and block the flow and then fill and bleed until it is all done?

Or does it make any difference?

If it will not affect or cause issues, number 1 would be best I think as I have to replace brake caliper seals in all 4 wheels. And I do want to totally change the fluid as it has been years since it was done - like 20 or so....

TIA...

Reply to
BSAKing
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Depends on the vehicle.

Reply to
Paul

Do you have ABS?

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

No - the patient in question is a 1976 Corvette 350 smogger (stingray)....

Reply to
BSAKing

then it really doesn't matter. I would probably replace the hoses while I'm that far into it - if they're the original hoses the rubber may be swollen and/or deteriorating.

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

It's best not to let the system drain.

If the system drains you will may have to pull the master cylinder and re bench-bleed it. If the car in question has ABS you may have to follow special procedures to bleed that.

If you are replacing the master cylinder too then don't worry about it.

Steve B.

Reply to
Steve B.

I was not intending to do the master unless needed and I think it is ok - it is mainly leaking seals on the calipers. I was going to check out the brake hoses (probably replace) and lines as they are original.

Reply to
BSAKing

If you end up replacing the hard lines, they're easy enough to bend yourself but for a 'vette you can probably get prebent ones from Classic Tube, Vette Brakes, etc. Stainless is nice and you'll never do that particular job again if you use it :)

If you're not replacing the MC I recommend either using a pressure bleeder or else putting a scrap of 2x4 under the brake pedal when you bleed so you don't wipe out the seals.

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

I notice vette brakes has a complete kit with s/s lined calipers, master, lines and hoses. I may go for that and be done with it. Has anyone every dealt with Vette brakes? THere prices seem pretty good....

Reply to
BSAKing

I personally haven't, but they've been around for years. I remember getting a catalog from them before I ever had internet access. Must have been when I was still in high school and working on my '49 Chevy project.

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

I notice vette brakes has a complete kit with s/s lined calipers, master, lines and hoses. I may go for that and be done with it. Has anyone every dealt with Vette brakes? THere prices seem pretty good....

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I have never dealt with them but I have installed some of their calipers before and they seem to be a very high quality product.

Reply to
Mike

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