Bleeding brakes

Tiny
RANDY M. YERGES
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Replaced front brake lines from the ABS block to the hoses at the calipers. Now I can't get fluid to flow when I tried to bleed them.
Saturday, September 28th, 2019 AT 8:29 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
Hi and welcome to 2CarPros.

I looked up your vehicle and there are no systems that should prevent bleeding.

First suggestion would be to disconnect the Neg battery terminal to make sure the ABS unit isn't in lock down.

Second, crack the line lose one at a time from top to bottom and see where you get fluid movement and where it stops if above doesn't fix the issue.

Third, Did the master cylinder go dry when you did this?

Here is a guide to look over if you are interested:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

Rich
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Saturday, September 28th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM
Tiny
U301499
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
Hello, I'm having in the issues with bleeding the brakes on a 2000 Ford expedition. I have bleeded them several times and still feel a lot of cushion on the brake pedal. The Brakes go all the way to the floor board and I feel and hear air as I press them. I'eve heard several people say that you should have the engine on while bleeding them. Don't know if that's true. I have replace rear caliber and front brakes and rotors. I'm thinking it may be the master cylinder considering the car has 157,000 miles on it. I'eve also heard mechanic say that you would have to flush out ABS component. Please help with this issue, thank you
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
The ABS hydraulic controller doesn't need to be flushed on its own. We're supposed to flush brake fluid every few years because it absorbs moisture out of the air and we want to get rid of that. Water lowers the boiling point of the fluid from well over 400 degrees to 212 degrees. That can lead to one form of brake fade, and it promotes corrosion of metal parts. Unfortunately, since we don't have much trouble with brake fluid, very few people actually change it.

My concern with running the engine is two-fold. First, that is done to power the power brake booster, and that tells me you're pedal-bleeding the system. I almost never resort to that. Second, I suspect you pushed the brake pedal all the way to the floor. That must never be done unless the master cylinder is less than about a year old. Crud and corrosion build up in the lower halves of the two bores where the pistons don't normally travel. Running the pedal to the floor runs the pistons over that crud and can rip the lip seals. Most commonly you'll end up with a slowly-sinking brake pedal when you hold steady pressure on it, and that often doesn't show up for two or three days.

The only method I use to bleed brakes is "gravity-bleeding". Simply open the bleeder screws, loosen the cap on the reservoir to prevent vacuum from building and impeding fluid flow, then close each bleeder screw when fluid starts flowing with no air bubbles. Irritate the brake pedal with your hand to wash the few remaining bubbles into the calipers or wheel cylinders, then open each bleeder screw once more to let those bubbles out.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RMITTNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
I have to bleed the left front caliper about every 3 weeks. Changed Master, Break lines, and hose. Peddle is good after bleeding, but only lasts a month at the most.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have air in the abs unit, use this video to show you how to work the ABS valves.

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RMITTNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you!
I have already done that, but it seems that the abs is creating air. Have you ever heard of this?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
T can take up to 3 qts to bleed a system now adays it may be the boost valve inside th abs causing the problem. I guess it could cause it but I've never realy heard of it.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RMITTNER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks again!
I will give it a shot!
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM (Merged)

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