Gone through ALOT of brake fluid

Tiny
ANTHONYROLEAK
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 GMC SONOMA
  • 230,000 MILES
92 sonoma brake system issue need help diagnosing, I have gone thru ALOT of brake fluid and there is no end to the micro bubbles.

I have front disk and rear drum brakes. No antilock brakes, 2wd Its a rebuilt truck with only the basic

THE LONG STORY
I was a little low on fluid ( still fluid in resevoir) It was time to do my brakes so I parked it and was driving my car. For a few weeks
I put new pads shoes drums and rotors on the truck, then found my resivoir empty. Found and replaced broken brake line.
Time to bleed the brakes, with neighbours help. I went thru ALOT of fluid, (i have spent more on fluid then it prob would have cost for a shop to do the work.) Eventually I was able to get back brakes bled. When fluid was finally bubble free I did not pump the brakes too many more times to ensure more bubbles didnt come. This is after about 3 hours of bleeding.
Another 2 hours into bleeding I got the passenger front to be bubble free but again I didnt pump it more to be sure as I was running short on patience.
another 1.5 hours of bleeding and driver front is still giving a crazy amount of bubbles.
I thought if I drove truck down the alley it might free up bubbles but couldn't go anywhere

THE SYMPTOMS
Cannot get system bubble free.
My front brakes locked up when engine is running, if I turn off engine push the brakes twice tires unlock and there is not alot of give in pedal after a few pumps.
when engine is running brake petal is easily pushed to the floor.
I cannot see any leaks, I am sure I used the right process and method to bleed the brakes.
I am thinking master cylendar. Brake booster. Vacuum issue.
money and time are both issues so I hope you can help
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 AT 11:05 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
IF YOU LET YOUR MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR RUN DRY, YOU MAY HAVE TO BENCH BLEED IT....LEAVE IT ON THE VEHICLE!...THE LITTLE HOSES AND PLASTIC FITTINGS CAN BE OBTAINED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE

IS THIS HOW YA'LL DONE IT?

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1998-ford-explorer-just-changed-brakes-iv-bled-lines-air-everything-seemed-fine

THIS SOUND SIMPLE ENOUGH?

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC
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Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Inspect the rear brakes if okay adjust it- rebleed the system don't work replace the brake master cylinder
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Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 12:07 AM
Tiny
ANTHONYROLEAK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Inspect rear brakes if ok adjust it? Of rear brakes are ok what do I adjust?
I will try the bench bleed.
I appreciate the help thanks
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Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 1:04 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
I THINK HE MEANS--MAKE SURE SHOES/ SPRINGS/ PARTS ARE NOT DAMAGED---IF THEY ARE ALL GOOD----THEN ADJUST SHOES OUTWARD, CLOSE TO THE DRUMS (THEY SHOULD SELF-ADJUST, BUT WHEN THEY GET DIRTY OR WORN, THEY DON'T)

I USE A BRAKE SPOON. I "ADJUST" THE STAR WHEEL UNTIL THEY JUST START TO MAKE A SCUFFING SOUND, WHILE YOU CONTINUOUSLY SPIN THE TIRES ***NOT UNTIL THEY DRAG***----IF YOU GO TO FAR, NORMALLY YOU HAVE TO CRAM A THIN SCREWDRIVER IN BESIDE THE STAR WHEEL AND PUSH THE RATCHET ARM OFF OF THE STAR WHEEL SO YOU CAN "UNLOCK IT" AND TURN THE WHEEL THE OTHER DIRECTION.

"TO ADJUST SHOES OUT/ SPREAD THEM APART"----"NORMALLY YOU INSERT THE BRAKE SPOON IN THE HOLE WITH "YOUR END/ HANDLE END", UP IN THE AIR---THE TIP WILL BE DIGGING IN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WHEEL. PULL "YOUR END" DOWNWARD (LEVERING OFF OF THE BOTTOM OF THE OVAL HOLE) YOU MAY FEEL/ HEAR THE RATCHET ACTION. BOTH SIDES ARE "MIRROR IMAGES" OF EACH OTHER. THE SAME ACTIONS WILL APPLY FOR THE OTHER WHEEL

THE MEDIC
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Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 2:10 AM

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