Brake Questions

**grouch0jr** · 05-21-2010, 08:34 AM

So I recently replaced the rear brakes in my 1994 Chevy 1400 pick up. I changed the pads, drums, springs, slave cylinders, and a blown line running from the front down to the back. I'm having some difficulty finishing this job. My pedal is still soft, and my ABS light will come on until I pump the pedal until its firm. I have bled the brakes several times, and no more air is coming out.

I believe air is trapped in my ABS module. From what I've read online i need to cycle the ABS valves to get the air to move down stream. I found two ways to do this: 1) a OEM scanner, or 2) drive down a gravel road and stand on brake pedal forcing the ABS to fire. Has anyone tried this?

Also, at one point the fluid reservoir for the master cylinder was drained, does this mean I should bleed the master cylinder first, then work my way to the back? Has anyone done this? I have no idea how to do that.

**sunsetorangess** · 05-21-2010, 11:41 AM

Yes you are going to have to bleed the master first. There should be a bleed screw on the side of the master.
then work your way around to each tire, starting at the longest line and working in to the shortest IE Right Rear drum, left rear, right front then driverside front.
J

**grouch0jr** · 05-21-2010, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by sunsetorangess

Yes you are going to have to bleed the master first. There should be a bleed screw on the side of the master.
then work your way around to each tire, starting at the longest line and working in to the shortest IE Right Rear drum, left rear, right front then driverside front.
J

thanks for the tip.

have you ever had to bleed an abs module?

**grouch0jr** · 05-25-2010, 02:53 AM

well, i could find a bleeder on the master cylinder. after reviewing the a repair manual it said to bleed it with the couplings for the brake lines one a time. i didnt end up doing this (oops). i bled the ABS module (i found something i unscew that some air came out of). this had the pedal pumping up nice and firm, and staying that way, until i started the motor. after that i adjusted the rear brakes until the drum was a real tight fit back over top (there were no knock outs to adjust from outside), now the brakes are good.