One caliper hard to bleed

antwerx1024 · Post by **antwerx1024** » 21 Apr 2018, 12:42

Hi all. I bleed my brakes and found the back driver side brake was very difficult to bleed.

The bleeder valve is ok. But very little fluid comes out. Actually it took a couple of pumps to get any fluid at all.

Also it seemed to take much more force on the brake peddle.

The other 3 bleed easily with normal peddle pressure and good amount of fluid coming out.

Just the back drivers side is wonky.

Any thoughts on what may be the issue?

Thanks!

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 21 Apr 2018, 19:25

Hey, welcome to MVS, antwerx1024!

There's probably rust and grit inside of it... If some fluid is coming out, that's a good sign: you can probably rebuild it (if you're so inclined) and be good to go. I don't have a bench to do stuff like that so I'd put in a rebuilt caliper. Those are pretty affordable ($30-50). Pretty quick job if you're using good flare-nut wrenches.

You're probably getting some uneven braking with that caliper... so you should probably do something about it sooner rather than later.

Post by **rguzz** » 21 Apr 2018, 20:10

Remove the bleeder screw (maybe you have already) and make sure it isn't plugged up. Then crack the line to the caliper and make sure fluid comes out of the line itself. Troubleshoot from there.

Post by **scot850** » 21 Apr 2018, 20:48

+1 with rguzz

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Apr 2018, 03:47

rguzz wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 20:10 Remove the bleeder screw (maybe you have already) and make sure it isn't plugged up. Then crack the line to the caliper and make sure fluid comes out of the line itself. Troubleshoot from there.

+1

If it’s gets loose with the bleeder out,it’s the bleeder screw,,replace it.

If it gets Loose when the flare nut is cracked,it’s a plugged caliper...dangerous....rebuild/ replace.

If it still not loose , then the brake line is plugged...ugh.

antwerx1024 · Post by **antwerx1024** » 22 Apr 2018, 14:46

Thank you for the welcome and your advice! Looking on RockAuto the caliper is indeed very affordable. I will replace vs. rebuild.

Thank you!

theWIFES_S70 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2018, 19:25 Hey, welcome to MVS, antwerx1024!

There's probably rust and grit inside of it... If some fluid is coming out, that's a good sign: you can probably rebuild it (if you're so inclined) and be good to go. I don't have a bench to do stuff like that so I'd put in a rebuilt caliper. Those are pretty affordable ($30-50). Pretty quick job if you're using good flare-nut wrenches.

You're probably getting some uneven braking with that caliper... so you should probably do something about it sooner rather than later.

antwerx1024 · Post by **antwerx1024** » 22 Apr 2018, 14:48

Thank you to all the suggestions. I plan to put these suggestions into action in the next several days. Really appreciate your kind words!

Steve

Post by **rguzz** » 22 Apr 2018, 16:54

If the caliper you have is oem original, and proves to be okay after you've done the above troubleshooting I would not replace it. Some rebuilds are terrible, and will not last more than a year or so. Replacing a good working caliper with a rebuild may be a lateral move at best. Can't help you with specifics regarding brands, should you go that route, maybe others can.

Post by **oragex** » 22 Apr 2018, 18:23

On my S60 I had this problem, it wasn't related to the bleeder. How is the wear on your brake discs on both sides? Do they wear all across the whole surface?

Post by **abscate** » 23 Apr 2018, 04:17

Tough call on these

Volvo $200
Centric $75
Cardone $40

At FCP, for example.