1976 Chevy Custom Deluxe Bleeding front brakes

GERALDB999

MEMBER
1976 CHEVROLET CUSTOM DELUXE
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
17,500 MILES

I cannot bleed the front brakes. I recently put new calipers on the front. There is a "button' on the fluid distribution block and I have been told it must be depressed to allow fluid to go through. I have disc brakes on the front and drum on the back. How do I get fluid to the front brakes?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Hi geraldb999. Welcome to the forum. On some vehicles, Fords in particular, they specify pulling that button out to allow the front brakes to gravity-bleed, but I have never had to do that on any car. They even make a spring-metal clip to hold that valve open. It takes about ten pounds of fluid pressure to open that valve before fluid is supposed to flow. The holds off the application of the front calipers until the rear shoes have had a chance to expand out to the drums.

If the front lines and master cylinder ran dry while the calipers were disconnected, you will likely have to "irritate" the fluid to convince it to run down the lines. Do that by pressing the brake pedal by hand a few times, just an inch or two. If you have to pedal-bleed the fronts with a helper, NEVER press the pedal more than half way to the floor. Crud and corrosion build up in the lower halves of the two bores where the lip seals don't normally travel. Pushing the pedal all the way down runs those seals over that junk and can tear them. The only exception would be if you're installing a new or rebuilt master cylinder.

Caradiodoc