Rear Brake Woes (not the good kind)

[Dougieb]

Hi,

I am working on the rear end of a much neglected '72 Spider.
I was going to change the (original) shocks and put some steel braided brake lines on.
I did not trust the old flex lines.
When I disconnected the rear brake compensator, it was frozen.

I am not going to get into the debate of to using a compensator or not.
I am going to try to get it to work first.

I "buggered" up the line that goes from the front of the car to the compensator.
Haven't gotten it off yet. Going to try some heat next.

Questions:

What is the best way to fix the line assuming I can get it off? What should I do if I can NOT get it out without destroying it completely? Would I need to replace the entire line? Is there a compression fitting I can splice in and replace on the last section?

I also got a set of speed bleeders from AR. I just wanted to hear from someone that has used them before. I have some clear hose from NAPA to put on them. Will I just crack them open, keep pumping until I do not see any more bubbles, and then tighten it back down? Are they really that easy?

Also, I have an extra set of calipers that I was going to take my time to rebuild/paint and put on in a later time. One of them has the bleeder broken off flush with the caliper. What is the best way to dig that one out?

Thanks all,
Dougieb

[pluktv]

I bought a set of speed bleeders from AR. Now I can`t imagine bleeding brakes any other way. You literally crack `em open, pump the pedal until no more bubbles (remember to keep topping up) and close `em back up. It`s really that simple, I think they have a tiny check valve in the stem. One of the better investments I ever made. Bleeding the brakes is now an easy hour long task that there is no excuse for not doing on a regular basis.

[fiat218]

I bought a set of speed bleeders from AR. Now I can`t imagine bleeding brakes any other way. You literally crack `em open, pump the pedal until no more bubbles (remember to keep topping up) and close `em back up. It`s really that simple, I think they have a tiny check valve in the stem. One of the better investments I ever made. Bleeding the brakes is now an easy hour long task that there is no excuse for not doing on a regular basis.

When your pumping the brake pedal! How do you know when it clean of air? How can you see it

[pluktv]

Drivers side is no problem with a clear hose. You can see the bubbles as you pump.

Passenger side you probably need the assistance of a second person. Or spouse, teenage son, cat, dog or anyone else interested who has a spare set of eyes. Or an incredible set of mirrors strategically placed around your garage so you can see each and every bubble. Failing that you can also use a crap load more brake fluid than you actually need for the passenger side, probably around 3 gallons, but absolutely sure in the knowledge that at least by then they MUST be bled...

[fiat218]

Drivers side is no problem with a clear hose. You can see the bubbles as you pump.

Passenger side you probably need the assistance of a second person. Or spouse, teenage son, cat, dog or anyone else interested who has a spare set of eyes. Or an incredible set of mirrors strategically placed around your garage so you can see each and every bubble. Failing that you can also use a crap load more brake fluid than you actually need for the passenger side, probably around 3 gallons, but absolutely sure in the knowledge that at least by then they MUST be bled...

Thanks, that does sound like a great idea for the bleeding and I do have two pups so that will work out even better

[paintdudeluke]

I used to use a 25cc syringe with a piece of clear hose on the end and I'd open the bleeder, slip the hose on it and pump the fluid the other way up to the master then just lock the bleeder because you know there's no air. It all just got flushed to the master.

[wizard124]

I used to use a 25cc syringe with a piece of clear hose on the end and I'd open the bleeder, slip the hose on it and pump the fluid the other way up to the master then just lock the bleeder because you know there's no air. It all just got flushed to the master.

I changed out my rear compensator, rebuilt the rear calipers, thoroughly bled the system. Alot of discolored crappy fluid got pushed through the lines. I would not want this pushed back up into the master cylinder or resevoir.

I also tried the one person method using a MightyVac. All that did was suck air past the loosened bleeder valve......useless. Had my young son pump the brakes, the old fashioned way

[redcars]

I took an old reservoir cap and put a air coupler on it. I set my regulator to 3 psi and hook it up to shop air and bleed one caliper at a time, being careful not to let the reservoir get empty. The cap that I made for VW's works on the Fiat also. Ben doing it like this for decades. No helper need with this.

[paintdudeluke]

I just meant to reverse bleed at the end. I just went through that too, all the black clog dissolved rubber crap had a few of my lines completely plugged. I pumped everything out until it was clear before I even hooked the caliper up. I was going to replace the compensator, but I just disconnected it and zip tied the arm up until later. Who knows if it works or not, but it doesn't restrict flow anyway.