Brake flushing error

[wwebb]

I thought bleeding brakes on the Reatta would be like other GM cars. I confess the error of my thinking and the warning placard on the fluid reservoir is missing. I launched into the project--without depressuring the system. When I thought I was done with bleeding the front brakes, the system acted like it was full of air and the pedal would go to the floor with the ABS/BRAKE warning lights activated. Eventually, by turning the key to the ON position and allowing the system to pressurize and repeating that process a scazilion times, the system appeared back to normal. This morning, however, it took longer than usual for the ABS/BRAKE lights to go out. I only did the fronts and was frustrated as to why there was no fluid at the rear bleeders with brake pressure. Aside from the fluid mess I made when the reservoir overflowed on its own--any chance I could have damaged the system? Should I launch into doing the rears based on the published procedure or...? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[Barney Eaton]

Go to www.reatta.net and read the information on brakes.

It is recommended that you flush the brakes as opposed to bleeding them and that is explained in the information.

You did not damage anything, maybe just temporally upset the system.

You do "bleed" the brakes while pressurized, but you "flush" the boost section when it is not.

The idea is to remove old, dirty, water saturated fluid.

[Jim]

1. It is HIGHLY recommended that all the fluid in the whole system be

changed with new fluid to eliminate any built up moisture in the system.

2. Any time the brake hydraulic system is to be opened the brake pedal

should be pumped 25 times with the key off to bleed off the 2600

pounds of pressure in the accumulator.

3. Siphon out as much of the old fluid as possible from the reservoir and refill with clean fluid to the top. Another good way is to cut the rubber hose that comes from the reservoir right where it attaches to the ABS pump and let all the fluid in the reservoir run out. Then remove the piece of hose still attached to the pump and reinstall the rubber hose. It is long enough to do this. I like to cut it rather than try and remove it because the hose sticks really hard to the plastic fitting and you might break the fitting trying to take the hose off. Doing it this way you get all the fluid out of the reservoir before putting in new clean fluid.

4. When doing the rear wheels only let out about a half of a cup and then refill the reservoir. This is to make sure you don't take out too much and get air into the system.

5. To bleed the front brakes have the key off and bleed in a conventional

method. Have someone pump the pedal a few times and hold it down while the other person opens the front bleeders.

6. To bleed the rear brakes

A. Turn on the key and allow the system to pressurize

B. Have an assistant slightly depress the pedal and hold it.

C. Open each rear bleeder, one at a time, and hold open until clear

fluid comes out. (The pump and motor will do the bleeding)

When you are done there are high and low marks on the reservoir and after the system pump and motor has run and the lights are out the level should be at the low mark. When you have pumped the brakes with the key off 25 times the level will be at the high mark.

[wwebb]

THANK you both for your help.

[Guest crtnrds]

How can I add this and other threads to my favorites with out posting to the thread?

[Guest joereatta]

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[Guest joereatta]

Correction, it actually reads "favorite topic (toggle)"

[Guest crtnrds]

Thanks. I learn something new each time I log on to this site. Wonderful!