MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Front brake bleeding question

Hello all,

Helping a newcomer this weekend do some maintenance to his 80' MGB. Hooked up the pressure bleeder to the master cylinder to bleed the brakes, rear brakes bled fine but no fluid from the front at all on both sides!
Checked everything twice but no fluid when the front bleeders were opened.
Any thought?

Steve
Steve Brooks

Steve - Possibily the front bleeder ports clogged? Try the tried and true "old" method of "push the pedal, ok let the pedal up" method to see if the added pressure might push something through. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

As David says, it may be a clog. But I've had more clogs in the bleeder screws themselves than the port in the caliper. In their unfortunate location, the screws can get plugged up with mud. Screw one all the way out and see if you get a dribble of brake fluid out of the caliper. If so, check the screw for caked-up mud in the holes. You can clean it out with a piece of wire and a little brake parts cleaner.

(Anybody else remember seeing little rubber plugs on the ends of bleeder screws about a million years ago? I can't remember what brand of car had those.)
Matt Kulka

re: (Anybody else remember seeing little rubber plugs on the ends of bleeder screws about a million years ago? I can't remember what brand of car had those.)


I simply cut a small length of vinyl tubing and slip it over the nipples of the brakes and clutch as a protectant. Think of it as a condom for nipples! Makes maintenence a LOT easier!

rick
rick ingram

Did you follow the proceedure in the shop manual regading the pressure differential piston and failure switch? The piston may be binding.
R. L Carleen

I was just replacing the brakes and bleeding the lines on my Toyota "86" Truck. They have the little rubber caps on the bleeder screws. On my 68 "B" I went to NAPA and got the rubber/plastic vacume line caps. They work a treat at keeping underbody gunk off the nipples.

If the 77 has a failure switch, check to see that it is centered after bleeding the rear brakes. On my 68 I took off the electrical connection and used a small screwdriver to recenter then bled the front brakes. After, I checked all 4 wheels while my wife pushed on the pedal to ensure all 4 were working.

Cris

Steve, another vote for plugged front caliper. My friend's shop has a spot on the wall from the time we removed the bleeder screw and he stepped on the pedal of his XKE.
Rick, late seventie's Honda Civics had the boots over the bleeders (at least mine did).
RichB
RichB

This thread was discussed on 24/05/2004

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.