So, last year I put all new brakes and lines on my car. You might remember I had some trouble bleeding them. First I tried my Motive power bleeder and opened the passenger rear bleeder screw. I made a video of all the little bubbles consistently flowing out with the fluid. I had a clear tube attached to the bleeder so you could really see it. I let that go for a SUPER long time, and it .... NEVER ... changed. Maybe the problem was the power bleeder. Don't think so, but maybe. So I switched to the 2 man brake bleeding method. I've been trying to use the method where you attach a tube to the bleeder so it doesn't just go all over the place and mess up my nice painted calipers. Bled the hell out of them and was never that satisfied with what I was seeing. Gave up on the tubes and bled some more. Maybe they were good, maybe not. I don't freakin' know. Then it came time to set my adjustable proportioning valve. Opened it a little and drove. Opened it some more. Opened it some more. Opened it some more. It was now ALL the way open. Never did get the rear to come around on me. Even on a dirt road. Gave up. Drove it that way for the rest of the season, which didn't turn out to be much because of the fuel leak's reappearance, but nonetheless.
So that brings us to today. After all this year's projects, I'm just about ready to put her on her wheels. Thought I'd attack the brake problem again (if there is one?). First, I tried the vacuum bleed method where you attach a vacuum pump and reservoir to the bleeder screw. The direction say you should be able to get fluid out when you pump it up and open the bleeder, although it was vague on which order you go in and whether you would need to keep pumping after opening). I never did get more than a tiny bit of fluid in the bottom of the reservoir, and then after that, it refused to pull any more. WHY?! I tried several combinations of adapters and it WAS able to pull a vacuum before I opened the bleeder. But then it would disappear immediately and not much else would happen.
So, I thought i would try just opening the bleeder with the tube on and see if i could get any to flow out. Nope. Jacked the car with the nose in the air. Still nope. Gave up on the tube and opened it. It dripped immediately. All over my nice painted caliper. ARGH.
Is this normal? Can you not actually use the tube method?! Last time I had guys telling me maybe I opened the bleeder TOO FAR and that's why I was always seeing bubbles in the tube. I'm second-guessing everything here. It seems REALLY wrong to me that the proportioning valve can be adjusted ALL the way open. It makes me think there's a big-assed bubble somewhere making things all out of proportion. I know I've got fluid at all 4 corners, and the rear brakes DO seem to be working, but it just doesn't seem right to me.
Thoughts anyone?
In the meantime, I've got myself a s***load of brake fluid and a helper, so I'm off to bleed the LIVING F*** out of my brakes. GRRRRR
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