Brake Bleeding - New Rear Calipers

[LeRox]

I just installed new rear calipers on my Z. I did not replace the front calipers. Put new pads on all 4 corners. Wanted to know if, when bleeding, I should bleed the rear corners first (since the new rear calipers are empty), or if, despite the empty rear calipers, I should follow the correct bleed sequence anyways, which is RR, LF, LR, RF for my 02' Z??? Thanks for the help....

[froggy47]

hmmm,

I would do rr,lr,rf,lf

Where does that other sequence come from?

[LeRox]

Froggy....it comes from the shop manual. There is a specific bleed sequence for C5's (depending on the year) and its not like it is for other cars where you start furthest from the master reservoir and work towards it, like the sequence you specified. My first post is for 2002' Z's (its also good for a few other years, just cant remember which). There is a different sequence for 03's and 04's, I believe

[DJWorm]

1. Follow the Shop Manual Bleed sequence.
- Make sure you tap the calipers with a rubber mallet as you bleed.

2. Do the Chevy modified Bleed technique:
- Turn the ignition ON, wait 2 minutes
- rebleed in the proper sequence

3. Drive car, testing brakes at first
- heat up brakes, using normal driving
- rebleed in the proper sequence with ignition OFF

[seamus2154]

Good thing I read this because I'm about to do stainless steel lines and swap the fluid to Motul w/ speedbleeders. Does anyone have the bleed sequence for the 04 c5Z??? Thanks Jim

[LeRox]

seamus....looked up the bleed sequence for your 04' and its the same as my 02'. RR, LF, LR, RF.

Hey Worm, do you recommend the bleed procedure you posted with the rear calipers being new and empty of brake fluid?? Im a little concerned about doing the LF before doing the LR with the LR caliper empty, even though that is the correct sequence for my Z.

Basically, I dont want to draw an air bubble from the empty LR when doing the LF second in order. Would it be better to do the RR then LR second to get the new calipers filled, then follow the correct sequence??

[Last C5]

All C5 Corvettes

1997 to 2000 RR LR RF LF

2001 to 2004 RR LF LR RF

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by DJWorm

1. Follow the Shop Manual Bleed sequence.
- Make sure you tap the calipers with a rubber mallet as you bleed.

2. Do the Chevy modified Bleed technique:
- Turn the ignition ON, wait 2 minutes
- rebleed in the proper sequence

3. Drive car, testing brakes at first
- heat up brakes, using normal driving
- rebleed in the proper sequence with ignition OFF

Cripes, that's a lot of bleeding.

[seamus2154]

Thanks Lerox!

[DJWorm]

Ahh..... you could do a RR then LR purge to first remove the gross air but you would then need to go back and bleed everything in proper sequence.

[LeRox]

Worm.....thats what I was thinking was probably the best idea too. Get the gross air out of the rears first, then pump the brake pedal to set the caliper pistons on all 4 corners against the new pads, then bleed several times around in sequence, using your above posted instructions. Should be good to go after that.

[LeRox]

Update.....Finished bleeding the system this weekend. Started with purging the air out of the new rear calipers from the RR, then LR and then bled in the proper sequence for my year Z. Worked well and the pedal feel is great. I highly recommend using light, rapid taps on the caliper with a rubber mallet while bleeding to help get any stuck air bubbles out