I assume my master cylinder is history. The brakes hold with a lot of brake pedal pressure but with slight pressure the pedal goes to the floor. Does that sound like I need a new master cylinder or some other problem? I haven't checked anything yet. Would low fluid cause that?

If I'm into a master cylinder R&R, anything I need to know besides unbolt the old one, stick a new one in, fill it up, and bleed the brakes (non power 4 wheel drums)? Also, I was going to get some "speed bleeders". Do they work OK?

Thanks!

sounds like the master.

follow the directions for bench bleeding which come with the new master.

i dont like speed bleeders.

Scott,

Why don't you like Speed Bleeders? I just picked up a set, but have yet to install them. They sound like a good idea.

- Jake

They can work as well as the old trick of leading a hose from the bleeder into a fluid filled jar... which you will probably be doing anyway to avoid a mess.

Sometimes air can get sucked in around the threads of the bleeder when you let up.

I have not used the speed bleeders but have heard of the problems, and I have had that problem with the old style "one-man" bleeding hose-in-jar.
You have to just barely loosen the bleeder, and if it has ever been overtightened, or the seat is at all corroded, it can happen.

I prefer gravity bleeding and/or pressure bleeding, or using 2 people.

napa sells a hand pumpwith a container. with a little practice the air comes out without a mess and takes one person to do it. cost approx 45 to 50 bucks.

I thought the check valves in the speed bleeders would help over the hose in a jar method, since the fluid wants to suck back in on the backstoke.

I used speed bleeders on my car and like them. They make bleeding the brakes fast and easy. I have had them on for 2 years and will probably replace them soon and bleed the system again just to be sure they work properly. They have a sealant on the threads that looks like it is comming off.I don't think they cost that much? Pete

As Scott mentions, gravity bleeding is an excellent way to bleed brakes. And you don't have to buy anything. All you have to do is open the bleeders--or you can take then out completly--and let the brake fluid flow through. It's one of the easiest ways to bleed brakes, the haredest part is hangin' out and makeing sure that the master cylinder doesn't go dry.

check your wheel cyclinders for leaks as well. That was my problem.

Speed bleeders are EXCELLENT!!!

I could not get all the air out of the system without the speedbleeders.