MUCH MORE PEDAL TRAVEL AFTER BLEEDING - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Zhaoyu Chen · 03-13-2015, 09:48 PM

Hi guys,

I just had a local shop bleed my brakes and put some dot 4 (motul) fluid into the system; I also replaced my factory pads with hawk hp plus for an upcoming track day. After the bleeding I felt the pedal travel became really long before the brakes started to work. However, as soon as the brakes started to engage, it stopped the car very well. Anybody know what happened? Is this normal?

Thanks a lot!

Rob@WretchedMS · 03-13-2015, 10:04 PM

Likely you have air in the system still, bleed them again.

Did you install the pads, or did they?

Zhaoyu Chen · 03-13-2015, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob@WretchedMS

Likely you have air in the system still, bleed them again.

Did you install the pads, or did they?

Thats what I think too. They installed the pads and the pads are brand new. Also my buddy said it could be that I hadnt yet finish the bedding of the new pads. Is that possible?

Also if I want to bleed the system again, how much fluid will I need? Do I need the capacity to do an entire flush or less?

Thanks a lot!

Rob@WretchedMS · 03-13-2015, 10:35 PM

you don't need much more fluid, but you will need another person to help.

Starting in the RR,
Have the other person pump the brake pedal a few times, slow and steady, and don't press that hard, just want to move fluid not crush coal in to diamonds.
Once they pump the pedal a few times have them hold it down,
While they are holding down, open the bleeder, some fluid will come out, close the bleeder, and repeat this a couple times,
Then do this on the Left rear, then the right front, then the left front,

be careful that they do not let up on the pedal while you have the bleeder open,
be careful that they are not pressing too hard, there is no need to press that hard, pressing to hard can damage the seals in the master.

Zhaoyu Chen · 03-14-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob@WretchedMS

you don't need much more fluid, but you will need another person to help.

Starting in the RR,
Have the other person pump the brake pedal a few times, slow and steady, and don't press that hard, just want to move fluid not crush coal in to diamonds.
Once they pump the pedal a few times have them hold it down,
While they are holding down, open the bleeder, some fluid will come out, close the bleeder, and repeat this a couple times,
Then do this on the Left rear, then the right front, then the left front,

be careful that they do not let up on the pedal while you have the bleeder open,
be careful that they are not pressing too hard, there is no need to press that hard, pressing to hard can damage the seals in the master.

Thanks man! That is very easy to follow! I will try it and see whether I can fix the problem.

Rob@WretchedMS · 03-14-2015, 10:32 AM

if you have problems or questions call me

Shop: 860-436-6211 (Until 2 EST)
Cell: 860-281-5519 (After 2 EST)

Ventmaster · 03-14-2015, 10:54 AM

P.S.- after every few "bleeds" don't forget to top off the master cylinder.

Tennis_pro · 03-14-2015, 11:09 AM

You don't need a second person if you hook a line up to the bleeder and keep in submerged in brake fluid. That way when you release the pedal it will suck fluid and not sit back up. Keep your master open, but still with the cap on to release some pressure in the system. Like others have said, check the master frequently and keep pumping until you see no more air bubbles in the line attached to the bleeder, then make sure to top off the master when all done. If don't properly you should have a firm pedal.

willhe64 · 03-14-2015, 12:18 PM

The problem with these Camaros is you also need to bleed the abs unit. They will trap air.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/abs_bleeding.htm

KaBoom1701 · 03-14-2015, 01:26 PM

Spend $80 and have the dealer bleed you system.

They have the Tech2 tool that can activate your ABS system and do this right.

Just bring in 3 bottles of Motul and you'll be fine.

I'd get a "refund" from that local shop. They should have not done the job not having the proper tools.

Tennis_pro · 03-14-2015, 06:54 PM

So you can't bleed the brakes on a Camaro the regular way?

willhe64 · 03-18-2015, 01:14 PM

Noop. As evidenced by the OP's issue.

Destructo09 · 03-18-2015, 01:49 PM

I bleed my brakes normally and haven't had an issue, unless you let the fluid drop too low in the reservoir you shouldn't ever have air in the ABS unit anyway. If you get air in there though it might be troublesome.

X25 · 03-18-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destructo09

I bleed my brakes normally and haven't had an issue, unless you let the fluid drop too low in the reservoir you shouldn't ever have air in the ABS unit anyway. If you get air in there though it might be troublesome.

+1. Likely the shop that did the service has done a poor job. I use a pressure bleeder (not vacuum) to make it a one person job, and it works great.

03-13-2015, 09:48 PM	#1
Zhaoyu Chen Drives: 2013 camaro ss L99 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: United States Posts: 39	MUCH MORE PEDAL TRAVEL AFTER BLEEDING Hi guys, I just had a local shop bleed my brakes and put some dot 4 (motul) fluid into the system; I also replaced my factory pads with hawk hp plus for an upcoming track day. After the bleeding I felt the pedal travel became really long before the brakes started to work. However, as soon as the brakes started to engage, it stopped the car very well. Anybody know what happened? Is this normal? Thanks a lot! __________________ 2013 L99 450 rwhp/ 420 rwtq Livernois Motorsoprts Stage 2c Cam Pack, Roto-fab CAI, Stainless Power long tube headers, Corsa cat-back, Livernois dyno tune Brembo Drilled Rotors, APR carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber rear spoiler, side rock panels

03-14-2015, 12:18 PM	#9
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	The problem with these Camaros is you also need to bleed the abs unit. They will trap air. http://www.aa1car.com/library/abs_bleeding.htm __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

03-14-2015, 01:26 PM	#10
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,631	Spend $80 and have the dealer bleed you system. They have the Tech2 tool that can activate your ABS system and do this right. Just bring in 3 bottles of Motul and you'll be fine. I'd get a "refund" from that local shop. They should have not done the job not having the proper tools. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

03-18-2015, 01:14 PM	#12
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	Noop. As evidenced by the OP's issue. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

03-18-2015, 01:49 PM	#13
Destructo09 Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS/LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Raleigh-Durham Posts: 1,409	I bleed my brakes normally and haven't had an issue, unless you let the fluid drop too low in the reservoir you shouldn't ever have air in the ABS unit anyway. If you get air in there though it might be troublesome. __________________ 2010 2SS BMR 1" Springs Koni Orange struts/shocks 1LE rear sway bar SRP Racing Pedals Hurst Billet short shifter Square tire/wheel setup Elite Engineering Catch Can Stainless Power longtubes/highflow cats K&N Typhoon CAI RPM Motorsports of Garner, NC dyno tune (421 RWHP)

03-13-2015, 10:04 PM	#2
Rob@WretchedMS Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson Posts: 1,789	Likely you have air in the system still, bleed them again. Did you install the pads, or did they?

03-13-2015, 10:35 PM	#4
Rob@WretchedMS Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson Posts: 1,789	you don't need much more fluid, but you will need another person to help. Starting in the RR, Have the other person pump the brake pedal a few times, slow and steady, and don't press that hard, just want to move fluid not crush coal in to diamonds. Once they pump the pedal a few times have them hold it down, While they are holding down, open the bleeder, some fluid will come out, close the bleeder, and repeat this a couple times, Then do this on the Left rear, then the right front, then the left front, be careful that they do not let up on the pedal while you have the bleeder open, be careful that they are not pressing too hard, there is no need to press that hard, pressing to hard can damage the seals in the master.

03-14-2015, 10:32 AM	#6
Rob@WretchedMS Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson Posts: 1,789	if you have problems or questions call me Shop: 860-436-6211 (Until 2 EST) Cell: 860-281-5519 (After 2 EST)

03-14-2015, 10:54 AM	#7
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 3,024	P.S.- after every few "bleeds" don't forget to top off the master cylinder.

03-14-2015, 11:09 AM	#8
Tennis_pro Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 229	You don't need a second person if you hook a line up to the bleeder and keep in submerged in brake fluid. That way when you release the pedal it will suck fluid and not sit back up. Keep your master open, but still with the cap on to release some pressure in the system. Like others have said, check the master frequently and keep pumping until you see no more air bubbles in the line attached to the bleeder, then make sure to top off the master when all done. If don't properly you should have a firm pedal.

03-14-2015, 06:54 PM	#11
Tennis_pro Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 229	So you can't bleed the brakes on a Camaro the regular way?