Brakes suddenly pull to left
Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 568
Likes: 8
From: The Summit, Queensland, Australia
Dorman make a one-man bleeding nipple, it has a spring loaded valve which allows, when the nipple is loosened, the fluid and air to run through, but spring pressure closes the valve when the brakes are released.
No doubt you can find it on eBay.
No doubt you can find it on eBay.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 721
From: S.W. Indiana
I've got a full set of the one man bleeders. None have ever had the proper threads to go into calipers or wheel cylinders. I've got an Expedition waiting on a pair of rotors and I'll be doing the looped hose technique on it. I'm hoping the rear bleed valves don't snap off as I've found when they do that, it's time for a rebuild. One caliper up front was seized and made braking.....interesting.
Occasionally, it would grab and not let go. Mostly, it did nothing. That's how rust builds up on the pads.
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Rookie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
People who don't know brake systems will think w're getting dirty minded here. 
The weight of an inch or so of fluid in the bottle will prevent cavitation on the hose. This will pull fluid down and get things going. You probably already have clean fluid through the system. You work the right rear until air bubbles quit coming out. This is the longest line so this is the one to take time. I usually press the pedal down 3 or 4 times and check the fluid column. If you see some bubbles, check the master cylinder and press 4 or 5 more time.When it's clear, go to the left rear. That line will draw from a cleared line and is only 2 feet or so long. There again 3 or 4 pumps and check the fluid column.
I have tried vacuum pumps but sometimes you draw air around the threads. This is pure positive pressure. Just make sure the master is kept full so you don't [pull more air in at the top.
The weight of an inch or so of fluid in the bottle will prevent cavitation on the hose. This will pull fluid down and get things going. You probably already have clean fluid through the system. You work the right rear until air bubbles quit coming out. This is the longest line so this is the one to take time. I usually press the pedal down 3 or 4 times and check the fluid column. If you see some bubbles, check the master cylinder and press 4 or 5 more time.When it's clear, go to the left rear. That line will draw from a cleared line and is only 2 feet or so long. There again 3 or 4 pumps and check the fluid column.I have tried vacuum pumps but sometimes you draw air around the threads. This is pure positive pressure. Just make sure the master is kept full so you don't [pull more air in at the top.
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 329
Likes: 38
From: Parkville, Mo.
I've not had alot of success with the vacuum bleeding as they always suck air around the nipple or the hose where it attaches to the nipple. You see bubbles coming out, but it's not coming from inside the brake line. You will need to remove the nipple and grease it up to seal that area and then the hose need to fit very tightly on the nipple.
Does your vacuum pump have a catch bottle?
Does your vacuum pump have a catch bottle?
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 721
From: S.W. Indiana
Where did you attach the pump? You need to attach to the bleeder you want to bleed. Pressure from the bleeder if you're attached to it will fill the vacuum.
I replaced the front brakes on my '04 Furd and flushed the entire system today. I had a problem with getting a solid pedal. Then I noticed a large spot of fluid. One fitting wasn't quite tight. If I can do that with 50+ years working on brakes, you can possibly do it too. Just work along the lines and take your time.
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Rookie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Where did you attach the pump? You need to attach to the bleeder you want to bleed. Pressure from the bleeder if you're attached to it will fill the vacuum.
I replaced the front brakes on my '04 Furd and flushed the entire system today. I had a problem with getting a solid pedal. Then I noticed a large spot of fluid. One fitting wasn't quite tight. If I can do that with 50+ years working on brakes, you can possibly do it too. Just work along the lines and take your time.
I replaced the front brakes on my '04 Furd and flushed the entire system today. I had a problem with getting a solid pedal. Then I noticed a large spot of fluid. One fitting wasn't quite tight. If I can do that with 50+ years working on brakes, you can possibly do it too. Just work along the lines and take your time.
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Rookie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
You want to adjust the rear shoes so they are just barely touching the drum. I suspect that will solve you issue.
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Rookie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
I jacked up each rear wheel and spun the tire, and sure enough, the shoes aren't even touching the drums, I thought I had adjusted them but apparently I forgot to (WOOPS) So I'll proceed to adjust the rears to where they have just a slight drag and hopefully that will solve the issue!