Problem bleeding rear brake.

I bled my fronts and clutch, but can't get the rear pedal to firm up. Have bled it 6-7 times with a mighty vac as well as the old fashion way with my daughter stepping on the brake pedal.Even went as far as to disconnect the slave and reservoir to elevate to above the caliper and no luck. Any suggestions.

Try using zip ties to keep the brake pressed down tight and leave it that way overnight. I've had that work for me to firm up a rear brake after bleeding it the old fashioned way.

I also gave up on vacs. Speed bleeder bags and a one person "open, push brake, close, release brake" until the bubbles come out is my preferred way these days.

I have this problem as well, I will try that method, I don't even use my rear brake and it is not even working right now it has so much air in it. Might have to get the tech to replace it. I've been taking advantage of my warranty this year! That's for sure

I ended up hanging a 45 lb weight from the pedal overnight and seemed to do the trick.

I had the same problem bleeding my rear brake today. I usually use the reverse brake bleeding method but my pump broke so i tried the old fashion way and found out it is almost impossible to do it the old fashion way and it was frustrating. I found when you step on the rear pedal it introduce more air into the system and it gets worse. Off to Autozone I went and bought a brake bleeder.

one like this for $30



1) Set up brake bleeder per instructions.
2) Open the reservoir cap insure the brake fluid is full. (leave the cap off)
3) With the brake bleeder connect the hose to the bleed valve.
4) With the brake bleeder pump squeeze the handle a few times to create a vacuum.
5) Crack open the bleed valve and the vacuum will suck the air right out.
NOTE: (DO NOT STEP ON THE BRAKE LEVER IT WILL CREATE MORE AIR IN THE SYSTEM) I learned the hard way.
6) Close bleed valve when the vacuum equalizes.
7) repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until you get a steady stream of fluid flowing.
NOTE: Check reservoir often to make sure you have enough fluid and not introducing air into the system.
8) Top off fluid and install reservoir cap.

This work for me and the brake lever returned to normal no longer spongy.

I dont have the patience you guys do, I just bring it in cause I dont trust myself...I should learn to do these things

the more you learn to comfortably do yourself, more $$ leftover for bling goodies!

Zimm11 said:

I dont have the patience you guys do, I just bring it in cause I dont trust myself...I should learn to do these things

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ScrapperX said:

I had the same problem bleeding my rear brake today. I usually use the reverse brake bleeding method but my pump broke so i tried the old fashion way and found out it is almost impossible to do it the old fashion way and it was frustrating. I found when you step on the rear pedal it introduce more air into the system and it gets worse. Off to Autozone I went and bought a brake bleeder.

one like this for $30

View attachment 4444

1) Set up brake bleeder per instructions.
2) Open the reservoir cap insure the brake fluid is full. (leave the cap off)
3) With the brake bleeder connect the hose to the bleed valve.
4) With the brake bleeder pump squeeze the handle a few times to create a vacuum.
5) Crack open the bleed valve and the vacuum will suck the air right out.
NOTE: (DO NOT STEP ON THE BRAKE LEVER IT WILL CREATE MORE AIR IN THE SYSTEM) I learned the hard way.
6) Close bleed valve when the vacuum equalizes.
7) repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until you get a steady stream of fluid flowing.
NOTE: Check reservoir often to make sure you have enough fluid and not introducing air into the system.
8) Top off fluid and install reservoir cap.

This work for me and the brake lever returned to normal no longer spongy.

Click to expand...

+1

I bought a MityVac because i thought the rear master cylinder went bad as the pedal was spongy as hell! I also did a reverse bleed but for some reason I got too many little bubbles this time.

I'm pretty sure the proper way to bleed the rear is to unbolt the caliper and rotate it so the nipple is pointing up.

yep, that's the way I've always done it, and hold it above the rear master cylinder as well. Should take care of spongy issues.

cgalford said:

I'm pretty sure the proper way to bleed the rear is to unbolt the caliper and rotate it so the nipple is pointing up.

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