Brakes on 74 SB

Trying to get brakes up to snuff. I saw a leak in the rubber brake line (an actual, dry-rotted crack) that connects up to the wheel cylinder (front right) and decided to replace it and the matching one on the other side. I was having to pump the brakes to get them to work and figured this would cure the problem. I replaced both front rubber brake lines, adjusted the front brakes (drum type) and attempted to bleed the brake cylinders.

It's not working, the brake pedal goes almost right to the floor. Did I make a mistake in not bleeding the back brakes? I figured I hadn't introduced any air into those portions of the system and they'd be unaffected.

Or did I most likely screw up on something else?

TIA Chris

74 Super Beetle
Reply to
Chris D'Agnolo
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On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 22:10:37 -0600, "Chris D'Agnolo" ran around screaming and yelling:

how old is your braking system overall....i have found over the years that once you start replacing parts that are "shot"(like a rubber line rotted enough to leak) that the next weak point will show up....i actually now replace most parts when one does fail...because that is usually what ends up happening anyway....so i avoid the "downtime" by doing it all at once.... JT(who has had many master cylinders prove to be "bad" after replacing other "bad" parts....viscious cycle)

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

Did you now confirm that no leaks have sprung up - this can usually be noticed by after "pumping up" the brake pedal, it will slowly go to the floor - & check the brake fluid resevoir level, to make sure that that has not gone low enough to introduce air into the master cylinder ( did this happen during your brake bleed?). If there are no leaks, I would bleed the rear wheels and the front again in the order according to the manual. you just may make things better after this. If not - may be the master cylinder is pretty much shot - but make sure the pushrod to the master cylinder is also adjusted correctly

Good luck

Matt S.

Reply to
MATT S.

When you bleed the brakes put a small rubber hose on the bleeder. open the bleeder just a little bit, just enough to let the fluid drain. Top the reservoir up. bleed until you see fresh fluid. bleed more than you thing is necessary. Bleed every axle twice.

Holger Trier, Germany

Reply to
Holger Mootz

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