Problem with Brake Bleeding

[Read T]

Hi all,

This question isn't actually in regards to my Z, but the concept is the same and there isn't too much traffic on the Morgan forums (because everyone is too old for the internet ).

Car is my 1960 +4, has drum brakes in the rear and Girling disc brakes in the front. I just replaced the master cylinder and remote brake fluid reservior with new and rebuilt the front calipers. Didn't touch the hydraulics of the rear end, I just took the drums off and cleaned out the rear assemblies well and made sure the bleeder screws were patent. I haven't messed with any of the lines. Brakes were working to some degree before I tore everything apart (not sure if the rear brakes were ever working?), but the calipers were looking worn and the brake fluid was 50 years old.

Today I had a friend over and figured we'd bleed the brakes. Filled up the reservior and started bleeding (starting at the rear driver's side as this is the furthest from the m/c). We can't get any fluid out of the rear bleeders on either side. The front calipers bled with no difficulty. At the same time, the pedal got a nice firm pressure as we were bleeding the front calipers, but then all of the sudden lost all pressure. Tried bleeding the rears after the fronts and still no fluid. No leaks noted anywhere in the car.

I'm wondering if the one line that runs to both rear brakes could be clogged? what else could cause the rears not to bleed? And why did the pedal loose pressure all of the sudden? I guess my next step is to replace brake lines which cost ?

Any help would be much appreciated, and yes I realize this isn't my Z so thank you for looking.





And a picture I took yesterday. Interior is being remade at the factory currently

[BGTV8]

Most likely that you have seized wheel cylinder's at the rear - they will need removing and either re-sleeving in stainless, or replacing.

The fact that you have lost your pedal feel suggests that you have put so much pressure into the master cylinder that the cups therein have failed and it is simply bypassing in the master cylinder.

My nickname should tell you that I have a modicum of experience with old Pommy cars ..... and have had similar issues myself !!!!

[Read T]

So, can you put a twist on that to make it good news?

[Read T]

My next day off I'll probably disconnect the lines from where they go into the drums and see if I can just bleed the line - that way I know if it's the line or if it is the wheel cylinder. thanks though BGTV8!