What are the symptoms that the plunger has dislodged. I read about if you are not careful in bleeding the front brakes this can happen. Toady I notice my front brake is not working as well. I had to really pull on it and it came back much further than usual and is spongy. (I think that is the right term)
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Bleed one side at a time. Because of all the plumbing involved, it may take you quite a while to get all the air bubbles out. Some folks have good luck using a vacuum bleeder tool as it gets more volume going through the system to draw the bubbles out. Others just keep working at it till all the bubbles are gone. Sometimes, a bit of tapping on the hoses and junction block helps the bubbles to rise to the top and they work themselves back up into the master cylinder.Ken Talbot
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The usual way is to bleed one side at a time, if one side is longer, you do the longest one first. On the XS both should be the same length.
There are a few ways to bleed brakes.
1) with a Power bleeder, you hook it up to the master cylinder and open one bleeder at a time, the unit forces brake fluid through the system.
2) (and this is the 'normal' way for us home mechanics) pump the brake lever a few times, hold it squeezed, then open one bleeder, when the pressure is off, close the bleeder (still holding the lever squeezed), then pump it up, open, repeat until no more air comes out. This works best with two people.
Do this one side at a time. You should get a shot of fluid each time you open one of the bleeder screws. As the air comes out, the lever will get stiffer and stiffer. If you do this on the first side and it doesn't get better, do the other side.
3) Gravity. Open up the bleeder, let the fluid run through on it;s own. You can do both sides at once, but I think it works best if you do 1 at a time.
For all three methods, use a piece of clear tubing, and a jar, on the bleeders, to make sure the fluid doesn't make a big mess. Keep the master cylinder full at all times. If the fluid goes too low in the master you have to start all over again.
I've never heard of the pluger dislodging while bleeding the brakes. I've had instances, though, where I actually had to bleed the master cylinder first, at the hose connection, as there was so much air in the system I couldn't get it all out the bottom.Nice day, if it doesn't rain...
'05 ST1300
'83 502/502 Monte Carlo for sale/trade
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Another method, if you don't have power or vacuum bleeding equipment, is to pull the calipers off the forks with hoses attached and support them by wire, or some other means, above the level of the master cylinder, This makes bleeding with the brake lever almost easy.
You'll need to block the brake pads with wood so the caliper pistons don't come out of the calipers.
Remember, the air will try to reach the highest point, so trying to push air down is almost a futile effort. Get the calipers up!
Or, use a Mityvac, best investment I ever made. Makes bleeding a 10 min job. And when bleeding is easy, you're more inclined to change the fluid every now and then.
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Just did mine. Gravity bled both front calipers. Took about 3 MC's full of fluid to complete and also had to bleed the MC as i had it apart for cleaning. Great brakes now, good stiff handle, great response from the calipers.
Did the rear a little while ago, changed the MC totally. Had to actually REVERSE bleed the system to get it to take. Never heard of it before, but a friend actually said his Clymer's says that's how to do it. Closed-loop system to keep the fluid moving, and allow it to suck back into the caliper. Was really weird! Never had to do that before. Was a learning day for me!"Rat Rod"
79 XS1100 Standard
87 VMAX cans
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Perry Center Fire Department
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"If we don't do it, who will?"
Some people have one of those days, I have one of those lives...
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I put a set of Speed Bleeders on the '80G. Bought the accessory tubing and drain bag as well. No problem with air in the lines as long as you keep the reservoir from running dry. Well worth the expense._________________
John
78E
79 SF (2)
80 G "The Beast"
81 H "The Dresser"
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66 Honda CL-77 Scrambler
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"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
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