1997 Corolla, Wheel Cylinder Replaced, Question on Bleeding

[horgad]

I just replaced the rear, passenger side, wheel cylinder on my 1997 Corolla. Prior to the fix, fluid was leaking freely out of the broken cylinder to the point of a near empty brake fluid reservoir. My question is which brake lines do I need to bleed? The one I worked on? The back two? or All Four?

So far, I have bled the one I worked on and I am able to stop pretty quick, but am not able to lock up the brakes. I assume that I should be able lock the brakes on this car pretty easy. If not, that would good to know too.

Thank you for help.

[bcp477]

If the leak caused the MC to be nearly empty, then you likely have air in ALL the brake lines. So, they ALL should be bled. This should be done once a year anyway, to rid the system of accumulated water, air and old fluid. Most people neglect this - and eventually have problems as a result. I would suggest bleeding them all, until ALL of the old fluid has been replaced - and all air is out of the system.

[Bitter]

Correct, bleed all 4, and you should probably replace the other wheel cylinder since it is the same age as the one that failed and will probably fail soon.

Also, when trying to free the front caliper bleeders, if they are stuck and don't turn do not force them. Use a propane plumbing torch to heat the bleeder then try to move it back and forth, it doesn't need to be red hot, just hot. repeated heating and cooling can help break the rust and get it free. If you do snap it off you will need to get a semi loaded caliper, which honestly isn't such a bad idea anyways since who knows what kind of shape those slides are in.

I, even with Hawk HPS pads never could lock front wheels. However I also had somewhat grippy tires. While the stock brakes are good, they're not stupendous to the point where you can lock up front wheels at will.

[96coroll]

Another trick. Is some good penatrating oil. And than before you lossen. Tap on head down. this should brake the internal rust loose. Has worked for me.

[speedy25]

AND....

Start bleeding at the furthest point from the master cylinder and work your way closer.

If your fluid was brown before you started remove the reservoir and clean out all the crud first.

-SP