Really open up those bleeder screws to get the air out initially. Some
times a little turn isn't enough. Like mike said, be sure to bench bleed the
master to make sure its functioning properly. You can do this on the car if
you put a wrag by the master and loosen the lines that go in. Brake fluid
can be a mess though.
Mike Koken
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Schairer" <wschaibe@ucsd.edu>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2001 8:22 PM
Subject: brakes
> --
> So I have been doing a lot of reading of datsun email but this is my
> first request for help.
>
> I had my roadster up on jackstands to replace the slave cylinder so I
> decided I would go ahead replace the master cylinder, since the slave
> cylinder was so easy.
>
> I was also going to replace the flexible brake lines while I was at
> it. I couldn't loosen a couple and couldn't really figure out how to
> get them off anyway so I decided to let that job wait for another
> day. I did have to undo a couple lines on the front left wheel in
> order to get some vice grips on the bleeder valve that was stuck.
> When I put it all back together I couldn't seem to keep one line from
> leaking where it tied into the brake cylinder. It finally seemed to
> stop leaking so I set forth on the task of bleeding the system.
>
> First I bled the new master cylinder. Then I bled rear right, rear
> left, front right and finally front left. When all done the pedal
> goes to the floor and the brake failure light comes on. The rear
> brakes lock up but nothing up front. More bleeding...still no brakes
> up front.
>
> At this point I decided the new master cylinder wasn't functioning
> properly (a friend of mine who is a power wagon nut had told me he
> has problems with new parts far too frequently). So, I took out the
> new master cylinder, cleaned up the old one and reinstalled it.
> Re-bled everything. Still no front brakes. Checked Chiltons trouble
> shooting sections and it says one reason the brake light will glow is
> due to "failure to center combination valve or proportioning valve."
> I figure I have solved my problem because I never "centered" anything.
>
> Go to the brake section and it says nothing about centering the
> proportioning valve and in fact says that it can't be adjusted. If
> it isn't working it has to be replaced. I called my power wagon
> friend and he has no idea except that I must have air trapped in the
> system somewhere. So I bleed again. Still nothing up front.
>
> So what happened? Did I mess something up or did I just get lucky
> that they failed on the stands instead of on the freeway? I
> desperately want to get this thing going again as it has already been
> down a couple months with a blown head gasket which I think I finally
> got fixed. Coolant has been staying put for the first time since I
> got the car and the temperature seems to holding ok. Want to get the
> brakes working so I can make the Palomar run.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill
> 70 1600
> san diego
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