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soft brake pedal

T

TomN

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2021
I finally finished the front disk conversion on my 1955 Willys CJ5, but I am having trouble getting all the air out of the brake lines.
I rebuilt the knuckles, went with Brennans disk brake system and added a Vintage jeepster dual master cylinder. I've bleed each brake several times, but can't to get all the air out. I can get the jeep to stop, , but the pedal is soft and goes almost to the floor before it catches. I haven't seen any leaks. I wondering if I should try bleeding at the master cylinder? Thanks!
 
did you bleed the master? How did you bleed the brakes personally I don't pump the pedal than open the bleeder...I open the bleeder as the pedal gets pushed down . the pumping can make many tiny bubbles
 
Your more than welcome to give the shop a ring and I can go over some steps to help with the bleeding process. Being that these are basically two isolated chambers , bleeding the master is always a good idea. However when bleeding the brakes you do want to start from the wheel furthest away and work your way in. The pedal feel should have a manageable feel and not rock solid.
 
I use the same method as Sterlclan, and had a hard pedal with the first bleed. I also never bleed the master, just always thought this was a useless step that just makes a mess, and never had a soft pedal with the flow through method…
 
Did the new calipers mount with the bleeder at the highest point? I've heard that they can be reversed - which is not good.
 
Thanks for all the replies! . I did not bleed the master. I asked about it when I bought it and my understanding was they bench bleed it before sending it out? The bleeder screw is at the top of the caliper and I usually have someone help with bleeding the brakes. I never had any luck trying to do It by myself. I always start with the farthest one away and work my way to the front. I drove the jeep today and it seems like the pedal is a little stiffer ( weird), but it still isn't stopping as quickly as I think it should. Can I crack the connection on the MC and bleed it that way?
Also, I checked the rod on the MC and unscrewed it a little and then checked the adjustment on the rear brakes. I'm going to try and talk my wife into helping me again soon, hopefully that won't take to long.
 
A couple of things.
First; insure the rear drums are adjusted. "Loose" shoes will cause a low pedal.

Next, grab a couple of vise grips and pinch off the soft lines. The two in the front and the one that goes from the frame to the rear axle.
Check the pedal. If it's soft, then the issue is between the MC and the clamps. With them still in place, try bleeding the MC and the fitting up to the camps.

If the pedal is hard, then the issue is between the clamps and the and the wheels. Drop the rear clamp. Does the pedal get soft? If so, then the rear axle is the issue. If the pedal stays hard, then drop one front clamp at a time till the you loose the pedal. That is your issue.
 
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