#Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird how to#
#Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird free#
#Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird crack#

#Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird crack#

When you can crack it a quarter turn, gently close the valve. If they don’t want to turn, try some WD-40. This might be the most difficult part of the whole process as these can be difficult to crack. Locate the bleeder valves and open them about a quarter turn.

#Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird free#

Use a lint free cloth to wipe out the inside of the reservoir, and then refill it with new fluid. Before you do that though, you want to use the turkey baster to suck out the fluid from the master cylinder reservoir. If not, you’ll have to get the car up on stands. If you have enough clearance you may be able to reach the bleeder valves without jacking up the car. And, of course, you’ll need an assistant, and trust us, anyone who can reach the brake pedal will do. You’ll also want a turkey baster or syringe to help drain the reservoir. To start, you’ll need a couple cans of brake fluid, a box wrench that fits the bleeder valves, clear tubing to drain the fluid, and a some sort of bottle to collect the fluid in. After that comes the driver-side rear, then the passenger-side front, and finally, the driver-side front. That means the longest line runs to the passenger-side rear brake. Most master cylinders are located on the driver’s-side of the engine compartment. This method has us draining the longest line first, and the shortest line last. By necessity, we will be replacing the brake fluid with new fluid that should last 2-3 years.

#Bleeding brakes on 65 thunderbird how to#

Time for a quick overview on how to bleed brakes for a non-ABS system! We are going to bleed the air from each of the four lines one at a time. Oh, and replace those worn pads while you are at it. The fix? Bleed the air from the system and put in fresh, clean brake fluid. Toss in an air bubble at that pressure and you can froth up the fluid like milk for a cappuccino. That pump operates at several thousand psi, forcing brake fluid through very small valves. Unlike the “solid column” system, ABS has a hydraulic pump. If you have ABS, air (and other contaminants) in the line becomes an even bigger problem. That single “soft spring” can cause the fluid level in the reservoir to drop even lower when the pedal is applied, which increases the chance of more air bubbles entering. If the level of fluid in the master cylinder gets too low, an air bubble can find its way into the line. That fluid comes from the master cylinder reservoir. That means the column needs to be marginally longer, which in turn means it needs more fluid. When the pads get thin the “solid column” has to reach further to apply the pressure being applied from the pedal. Boiling causes stream, and part of that steam will turn into air when it condenses.Ĭhanging brake parts like calipers will also allow air in the line. This is particularly true if you do a lot of hard braking or travel long, downhill grades on a regular basis. When moisture enters the line it reduces the boiling point of the fluid and can cause boiling. DOT brake fluid only has a life span of roughly three years. Well, there are a number of different ways. When this happens, your confidence in your car’s ability to brake might be a bit shaky. That’s what gives you the spongy feeling, and that’s what degrades the efficiency of your brake system. Air is “compressible.” When even a bubble or two enters the brake line, it’s like installing a soft spring in that solid column of brake fluid. When you press on the pedal you are pressing on a “solid” column of brake fluid which in turn causes the calipers to press the pads against the discs. In its simplest form, your brakes are a hydraulic system. How Does Air Enter the Brake Line in the First Place? First, let’s look at what exactly is causing your car issues. Some models require a very pricey proprietary ABS scan tool to cycle the pump and valves to purge the last of the air, but we’ll get to that in a minute. A newer car with ABS can get a bit trickier, and it can also be downright expensive. That’s the drill for an older car without ABS. You can fix the problem with a box wrench, a turkey baster, a plastic soda bottle, some tubing, and an assistant who is tall enough to reach the brake pedal.

The good news is, learning how to bleed brakes is easy. Are your brakes dipping closer to the carpet than they should? Do they feel spongy? If you inspect the brake pads and they appear to be in decent shape, the “spongy” feeling is most likely caused by air in the brake line.