bleeding brakes, seeking advice

[ZOSO]

I found the info on some mustang forums about it.

[Gunnibronco]

I just spent 20 mins on the phone with BC Broncos, they assured me that my m/c should work with the t-bird calipers. They've installed t-bird calipers on all sorts of masters with no problems. He said that I now have my m/c hooked up backwards. He said that the REAR (closest to the driver) line from the m/c feeds the front brakes. He said that was how all m/c work, that way when you are just slightly pushing on the pedal, the m/c was only feeding the front brakes. I was ready to buy new stainless F150 hoses & he discouraged me and insisted my combo should work. I'm confused.

[Gunnibronco]

Took some time at work and looked at a few cars. Seems all master cylinders are plumbed the same. The rear line (many times the smaller line) runs the front brakes. I switched my m/c lines & dropped the truck at the service department. They should bleed my brakes tomorrow & I'll report back.

Chad

[Gunnibronco]

Getting better, but still not great.

I got the pressure bleeder from our main shop today & a quick how-to schooling. I hooked the bleeder up & got one more air bubble from the rear m/c bleeder (running my front brakes). Then, bled at each corner & had no more air at all.

After the brakes were bled, I swapped the shoes around to the correct positions. Put the drums back on & adjusted the rear brakes. The truck drives better, no lock up from the rear end. Probably, due to fixing the shoes. It still doesn't stop as well as my old set up & the pedal is long & soft (that's what she said).

I did pick up the adapter fittings needed to swap the lines for when I find out I've plumbed the m/c wrong. Our Carquest has always had a great selection of brake line adapters, so I'm blessed, it's 4 block away. Cheap too, less than $9.00 for both.

Chad

That quote was from May 17th. I think I was very, very close to being done, but probably had a little more bleeding to do.

June 8th. Its done. One of our mechanics bled my brakes this morning. He said it took almost no bleeding, got almost no air, and it was done. I had my truck back by 8:30am.

The pedal is VERY different than with the F150 calipers. With my F150 calipers, the pedal only dropped 1" or 2" and was rock solid, very sensitive, difficult to feather. I didn't mind it, it was a lot like my 83 Porsche 911. I also had a little too much rear bias.

With the T-bird calipers, the pedal drops 4"? and has a much softer feel. The mechanic who bled them said it feels like a "normal" hydroboost truck now. I did install the prop valve, even though BC Broncos didn't think I'd need it. They were right, the valve is completely "open", and my fronts lock up before my rears.

So happy, I only spent a few unnecessary dollars plumbing the m/c & on a prop valve, I didn't change out any "good" parts or swap back to F150 calipers. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Thanks for everyone's ideas & tips & tricks. I think we covered all bases of brake repair in one thread.

Chad

[Shawns Fords]

Glad you figured it out. I cant wait to get my brakes finished on mine. Your thread has helped me with getting ready. LOL