How to Bench Bleed a Master Cylinder in a Chevy Silverado

The rough and tough Chevy Silverado line consists of the 1500, 2500 and 3500 models. When replacing the brake master cylinder in a Chevy Silverado, you should bench bleed the new one before you install it. It only takes about 10 minutes and will make sure there isnt any air in the system that can, in turn, get pumped into your brake lines. These instructions apply to any model year.

Instructions

1

Remove the old master cylinder before you bench bleed the new one. It sits prominently on the drivers side of the engine compartment to the right of the engine. You can clean and reuse the old reservoir or get a new one (some master cylinders come with one).

2

Set the new Chevy Silverado master cylinder in a vise on your work bench or table. Clamp it into place, ensuring that its level; this helps make sure air pockets dont form during the process. Remove the supplies that came in your bleeder kit and set them out, so you can inventory what you have.

3

Install the reservoir onto the replacement cylinder, if its not already done. Find the two fittings that came with your kit and screw them into the outlets on the side of the cylinder. Insert the two lengths of plastic tubing from the kit into the fittings, then bend them up so they aim into the brake fluid reservoir.

4

Cut the hoses so they stick halfway down into the reservoir. Clip the two tubes to the lip of the reservoir to keep them in place, so you dont end up allowing air into the system or spraying brake fluid everywhere.

5

Fill the Chevy Silverados reservoir with fresh brake fluid. Put enough fluid into the reservoir to fill it just short of the maximum fill line. The hoses should extend down into the fluid to make a temporary hydraulic system.

6

Pump the piston on the master cylinder to push the brake fluid through it and into the hoses. Do this by inserting the screwdriver into the cylinder and pushing it against the piston to start pumping the fluid. The fluid will recycle back into the reservoir, but thats okay since you used fresh fluid.

7

Watch for the air bubbles coming out of the hoses and into the brake fluid in the reservoir. Keep pumping until all the air is out of the cylinder and bubbles no longer appear. If the hoses that came with your kit are black, you might want to buy clear ones to help you see the bubbles better.

8

Keep the hoses in the reservoir and remove the cylinder from the vise. Now you can install the primed master cylinder into your Chevy Silverado.

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How to Remove Reinstall Front Disk Brakes From a 1995 One Ton Chevy Truck

It is no more difficult to install new brake pads on the front of a Chevy one-ton truck than on any other Chevy truck, but the parts are a little bigger. For the one-ton truck, the procedure will take about 45 minutes to complete each wheel. Inspect the brake rotors when you change the pads to be sure they are in good condition. There is no sense putting good brake pads on bad rotors -- the brakes will not be as effective, and the pads will wear prematurely.

Instructions

1

Park the Chevy truck on a level surface, and turn off the engine. Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Pop open the engine compartment, and locate the brake master cylinder at the back of the engine compartment on the drivers side. Siphon 2/3 of the brake fluid from the cylinder using a turkey baster. Place the fluid in the drain pan to recycle later. Raise the truck with an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the Chevy near the jacking point. Raise it to the frame of the truck. Remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench, and pull the wheel from the truck.

2

Place the brake caliper between the jaws of a c-clamp, front to back, and twist the c-clamp handle until the piston seats itself inside the caliper housing. Remove the retaining pins from the brake caliper using a socket and ratchet. Pull the caliper away from the wheel assembly, and remove the brake pads from it.

3

Insert new brake pads into the caliper. Place the caliper on the mounting bracket, and tighten the pins with the socket and ratchet. Replace the wheel on the truck. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Chevy. Lower the truck to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.

4

Add fluid to the master cylinder as needed after the brake job is complete. Pump the brakes several times until the pedal is firm.

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