Brake Bleeding

[Les]

I've got a 72 MGB that I recently bled the brakes (the car sat for 3 years), at first they were great, but in the last 300 miles or so (2000 miles since I bled them), the first press of the brake is mushy and the second press is great. I checked the fluid level and it had not moved, so I assumed air in the lines, I've bled the brakes twice and still the same problem. I have checked for any leaks and none. Also there are no bubbles in the Master cylinder so I'd assume that no air is getting in around it. Any suggestions ? Is there a trick to bleeding the brakes ? I generally just start at the farthest wheel and move forward, pressing the brake to the floor, tightening the bleed screw, releasing the brake and repeating. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Les

 

[aeronca65t]

Les:

Your bleeding method should work fine.

Check to see if your rear brakes are out of adjustment (excess drum clearance can be "pumped out"...maybe this is why your brakes feel as they do).

"Soft" flex lines (2 fronts and 1 rear). Have someone pump the brakes while you look at them.

"Slow" hydraulic leak in brakes or master cylinder.....this is kind of a pain-in-the-neck to track down. The drums cylinders seem to do this more than the disks. Clean up the master cylinder real well and make sure it's not "drooling" fluid.

Be sure clevis pin (connecting pedal to cylinder) isn't worn....pumping will take the slack out of this too.

[ 07-17-2002: Message edited by: aeronca65t ]</p>

 

[Les]

Thanks aeronca65t,


Luckily enough it was your first suggestion. I adjusted the rear brakes and it worked great.

Les