I recently needed to replace my passenger.

Tiny
JF781981
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SL1
  • 206,000 MILES
I recently needed to replace my passenger caliper. I decided to do both sides so I now have new calipers rotors and pads. Upon completing the job, I have no pressure, (ZERO). I tried rebleeding and then decided my master cylinder must have gone out like I have seen before. I replaced the master cylinder and still zero pressure. Everything has been bled several times, no leaks, yet even if the car is off the pedal does not get completely firm. When car is on pedal goes all the way to the floor. My brake light is not on but I know it works because when I start the car it comes on briefly. I thought when master cylinders were bad that would be a reason to cause that light to start also. Either way I had great brake pressure before replacing the calipers and now nothing at all. These are things I have replaced before so I know how to bleed them correctly. I am confused. Any ideas? Thanks
Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 3:09 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Sometimes it is hard to get fluid moving when large quantities are removed from the system. It is especially hard to get a master cylinder started moving fluid. There are 2 tricks that may help. One is to bleed the brakes in a pattern where you bleed the farthest caliper from the master sylinder and work towards the closest caliper to the master cylinder. This means start at the passenger rear, then driver rear, then passenger front and then driver front. To "Bench Bleed" a mster cylinder you will have to get some brake lines from the parts store. You want to make lines that screw into the master cylinder outlets and curve over and into the master cylinder reserviour as close to the output holes at the bottom as possible. This bleeds the master cylinder on its own without having to move fluid anywhere else. Once you have this setup just fill with fluid and pump the pedal until no air bubbles come out of the inlet holes in the bottom of the reserviour. This fills the master cylinder with fluid and gets all the air out. Which makes moving fluid past the master cylinder easier as none will move until you get some fluid into the master cylinder which is very difficult to do any other way.
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
JF781981
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  • 52 POSTS
I actually have done both a couple times before posting this.
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 3:33 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Are you sure you have the left and right caliper in the correct location?They are different and if put in the wrong place will cause this issue.
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
JF781981
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
I will definitely check that. I returned the old ones at same time to save on the core. I did not even think of that
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Make sure the bleeder screws are facing up on them and there towards the top. If not there wrong make sure you use new copper washers on the hoses.
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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
JF781981
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
Everything is good there. The calipers were on the wrong sides but still zero brakes. I have bled everything again still lost.
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Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you have abs?Also before you hooked up the lines to the master cylinder did you bleed the master cylinder by itself?Also please explain step by step how you bleed the brakes?I need all the info I can get because I cant see how you did it.
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Monday, November 5th, 2012 AT 2:54 AM

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