Valkyrie

I'm trying to bleed my rear calipers with a vacuum bleeder, but on one of them (opposite of the master cylinder) all I seem to be getting is air (the bleed hose isn't filling). I pushed the pedal a few times with the bleed hose on to make sure the line wasn't just empty, but it didn't seem to make a difference. I haven't used teflon hose on the bleeders, fwiw, since you don't really need to.

Should I just give up and try a manual bleed, or might this indicate a problem?

Also, do you need rotor retaining screws? I'm also missing the pad spreaders on the rear (well, on one side, but I took the other one off). Are either of these vital?

MSilk

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked the brake hose leading to the caliper that is giving you grief? might be cracked or loose. If the hose is fine i would give manual bleeding a try.

Rotor retaining screws are not a make or break component if they are missing it should be fine.

As for the spreaders you can pick up a caliper hardware kit at your favorite parts store and they are in there (Napa number 83300A)

Mike

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

I had the same problem on my integra after a ss line install. Just sucking air and even when pumping the pedal got nothing. I took the bleeder screw out completely and put the vacuum directly on the caliper and it took a second but it started sucking fluid through. I put the bleeder back in and it worked like normal. Not sure what the issue was but its what fixed it for me. Also, the retaining screws are 100% optional. Some only use one to secure the rotor for easier removal and install of the wheel. I highly suggest of youre going to use it to put some high temp anti seize of axle grease on it. Ive been using axle grease and its fine. Just install finger tight. Like actually install it with your finger(s).

Valkyrie

I actually was having that problem with one of the front calipers (bought used and installed along with the hoses). I simply hadn't tighten the fitting all the way. I will try pumping the pedal with the bottle and hose method try make sure it's not just empty and then inspect the line again.

It just occurred to me that I took the rear calipers off to unjam the parking brake cams... it might just be that the hose drained too much fluid to use a vacuum bleed.

Spreaders are really just anti-rattle springs, though, aren't they?

Valkyrie

That's a good idea... where can I source retaining screws besides the dealer? If possible I'd just assume use generic hardware from the hardware store since it's much cheaper.

MSilk

iTrader: (1)

from my experience the springs serve two functions, one is anti-rattle the other is to try to keep the pads away from the rotor to reduce drag. I know that sounds crazy that those little springs could do that, for example a lot of new cars are coming with the same type of springs for fuel efficiency ( just went through some training on them ).
If you have one of the screws you could bring it to the hardware store and see if you can match the threads and head size. I do not have them on my car, I don't even have them on the wife's Jetta and thats one car i would love to have them on stupid lug bolts instead of studs and nuts lol but i am going off topic. All the screws do is hold the rotor to the hub, once the wheel is on and torqued the screw does nothing, I am not entirely sure why the put them on in the first place (on cars with wheel studs that is).
Hope this helps

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

not sure if you can find them in a store like that. the retaining screw is kind of special. brand new its extremely cheap. going to the dealer to order it, you could probably pay for it with the change from your couch.

86-11 Rx7 & Rx8 Brake Disc Set Screw (9983-10-816)

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

they are just there to keep the rotor on the car on the assembly line.

on the lug bolt thing, i've been working on an italian car, and they put a little locating pin on the hub, so that the pin and hub bore line up all the holes for the lug bolts, its pretty neat.

Valkyrie

When I put a hose into fluid and pumped the brake, I got solid fluid (or at least I couldn't see any bubbles), but when I tried to use vacuum, I got mostly air. I wonder what the deal is.