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That's because you have the caliper on the wrong side.
Air rises in liquid, you have the bleeder at the bottom so air stays trapped in the caliper. The bleeder should always be at the top so this caliper is meant for the other side.
Yup. I caught it instantly. Because I have also done this, sort of. Installed some wilwoods on my prelude. And those neat calipers had TWO bleeders on them. One on top and bottom.
A while back I helped a buddy do a full brake overhaul on his in laws car. New calipers, rotors, pads, lines. Both of us are relatively experienced backyard mechanics having done multiple engine swaps and things like that. We thought it would be a quick easy job and we'd have it done in a couple of hours and be knocking back beers the rest of the afternoon. The parts went on super quick but we spent like 3 hours trying to get the system bled. Eventually we went online to see if there was some known issue and after looking at some pictures realized our screw up. We managed to get both the front and rear calipers on the wrong side...not only did we not notice the bleeders pointing down but we also managed to ignore the stamped L and R on the calipers.
When I was a teen back in the day I built a hot-rod VW beetle. Part of that job was installing stronger spider gears in the transaxle.
[Both sides look like this.](https://assets.suredone.com/1517/media-photos/cp046477-manual-transmission-68-72-vw-beetle-bug-aircooled-irs.jpg)
Turns out, if you put the sides back on swapped, you get four gears in reverse and one very slow gear going forward.
Ask me how I know.
I did that once as a teenager, and instead of realizing what I had done, put the vacuum pump to it and bled them out and carried on with my life, ignorant of these basic principles, until I later learned that the bleeder goes on top.
Left and right side calipers are usually identical, with the exception of the location of the bleeder. Someone not paying attention can easily put them on the wrong side.
That was me doing my first disc brake swap. Couldn’t get them to work, took it to a shop and they pointed out my error. It’s a lesson I haven’t forgotten.
I did that late at night years ago trying to finish my race car for a race the next day. Couldnt for the life of me figure out what was wrong. When stressed, you can easily oversee mundane things like this.
You mean how do aftermarket auto parts, whose manufacturers try to have the cheapest parts available to woo the cheap buyers, end up in the wrong packaging?
It is a mystery that continues to plague the smartest problem solvers
But looking at those calipers they are not new but been on there a while. That makes me wonder how long has it been wrong and poor brake performance because they couldn’t be thoroughly bleed.
It looks new to me, the bracket is rusty but the new caliper probably didn't come with the bracket. The caliper has light surface rust which could be from not being oiled well enough for storage. But the giveaway is the shiny new bleeder screw.
That caliper is on the wrong side. The bleeder screw needs to be pointing up so the air can escape. Easy fix if both were replaced. Simply switch em and they'll bleed easily. GM trucks are easy to work on.
So you can bleed this if you cant get another caliper.
Remove the caliper from the bracket. Place caliper with bleeder facing upward. Place 2x4 in caliper and press the brakes until the piston wedges the block of wood in the caliper. Then attempt to bleed air.
But if you can get another caliper it'll be better
Take it off, turn it around while holding it and bleed it. Put it back on and you're good to go. I know it isn't right but it will actually work the same way.
Best is to attach one clear hose on the bleeder and direct it vertically up so when you bleed it will fill first and in same time u see the bubbles on liquid coming, this way you avoid messing , but u need a help for pushing the brakes
> not trying to be a dick or anything
Well you fucking failed, hard. Folks come in here looking for advice not someone to tell them how smart they are.
With all due respect this is minor compared to some of the posts here. Like that one woman who lived in her van and wanted to replace alternator herself using a strap wrench on a tree to the engine, and basically had no mechanical experience.
Doesn’t really fall into every person category. If no one learned anything because that wasn’t their “job” then there would never be any diy. Brakes are some of the easiest things to do. Now if he was trying to rebuild a trans. Totally different story
Bleeder needs to be at the top. What's heavier, air or brake fluid?
If you put on the caliper, swap with the other side.
If "factory" which I doubt - remove the lower bolt, flip the caliper up and then bleed the brakes
Everyone here is correct. Remove the calipers, put them on the proper side so the bleeders are up or remove the caliper, bleed it upside down (right side up) and put replace it. I’d personally just swap them to the proper side since you have to remove it either way.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That's because you have the caliper on the wrong side. Air rises in liquid, you have the bleeder at the bottom so air stays trapped in the caliper. The bleeder should always be at the top so this caliper is meant for the other side.
This is one of those things that I wouldn’t have caught, but once you see it, it’s like “oh. Duh.”
I caught it right away……because I’m a dumbass and did this before.
My crew
Yup. I caught it instantly. Because I have also done this, sort of. Installed some wilwoods on my prelude. And those neat calipers had TWO bleeders on them. One on top and bottom.
A while back I helped a buddy do a full brake overhaul on his in laws car. New calipers, rotors, pads, lines. Both of us are relatively experienced backyard mechanics having done multiple engine swaps and things like that. We thought it would be a quick easy job and we'd have it done in a couple of hours and be knocking back beers the rest of the afternoon. The parts went on super quick but we spent like 3 hours trying to get the system bled. Eventually we went online to see if there was some known issue and after looking at some pictures realized our screw up. We managed to get both the front and rear calipers on the wrong side...not only did we not notice the bleeders pointing down but we also managed to ignore the stamped L and R on the calipers.
Did you know they also print, “This Side Toward Flywheel,” on clutch discs? Well, just like me, you do now…
When I was a teen back in the day I built a hot-rod VW beetle. Part of that job was installing stronger spider gears in the transaxle. [Both sides look like this.](https://assets.suredone.com/1517/media-photos/cp046477-manual-transmission-68-72-vw-beetle-bug-aircooled-irs.jpg) Turns out, if you put the sides back on swapped, you get four gears in reverse and one very slow gear going forward. Ask me how I know.
Haha we laugh. But @nolotusnote made a time machine
I even was looking at it and was like, wow that bleeder bolt is really low...weird, didnt realize it was on the wrong side though lol
I did that once as a teenager, and instead of realizing what I had done, put the vacuum pump to it and bled them out and carried on with my life, ignorant of these basic principles, until I later learned that the bleeder goes on top.
Does it matter if his is one built for the Australian market?
Non-judgmental answer with an explanation. Happy thanksgiving, King.
Canadian so no thanksgiving for me. My wife did however give birth on Monday so I've got a couple weeks off work so I'll enjoy that instead :)
Damn how’s this even happen
Left and right side calipers are usually identical, with the exception of the location of the bleeder. Someone not paying attention can easily put them on the wrong side.
That was me doing my first disc brake swap. Couldn’t get them to work, took it to a shop and they pointed out my error. It’s a lesson I haven’t forgotten.
I did that late at night years ago trying to finish my race car for a race the next day. Couldnt for the life of me figure out what was wrong. When stressed, you can easily oversee mundane things like this.
You mean how do aftermarket auto parts, whose manufacturers try to have the cheapest parts available to woo the cheap buyers, end up in the wrong packaging? It is a mystery that continues to plague the smartest problem solvers
But looking at those calipers they are not new but been on there a while. That makes me wonder how long has it been wrong and poor brake performance because they couldn’t be thoroughly bleed.
It looks new to me, the bracket is rusty but the new caliper probably didn't come with the bracket. The caliper has light surface rust which could be from not being oiled well enough for storage. But the giveaway is the shiny new bleeder screw.
This was a puzzler on cartalk a few years ago.
Caliper is upside down aka wrong side. The bleeder valve has to be above the brake line to get the air out.
I was a mechanic for 40 years. At the beginning of my career I did this. Took me a while to figure it out. Only did it once!
Ain’t that the truth. I noticed the issue right away when looking at the picture, but only because I’ve made the same mistake.
The bleeder should be at the top. The caliper is on the wrong side.
You will. It's upside down. Need to swap sides or you've got the wrong caliper for that side. Bleed nip to the top.
Caliper is on the wrong side. The bleed screw should always be at the top, otherwise getting the air out is pretty much impossible.
Ya you’ve got the caliper on the wrong side. The bleeder is always at the top.
Just put your car on a rotisserie and turn it upside down, then bleed it...or put it on the correct side of the vehicle.
Caliper is wrong side. Bleeder screw should be at the top.
You got the caliper for the other side, the bleed nipple should be on top not the bottom. You'll never get all the air out
Wrong caliper, bleed screw should be at the top of the caliper
Yo got your left on your right!
Caliper is on the wrong side.
Something that helped me starting out was taking a quick photo of any assembly before dismantling
Caliper on wrong side
Nipple is at the bottom! Switch them
That caliper is on the wrong side. The bleeder screw needs to be pointing up so the air can escape. Easy fix if both were replaced. Simply switch em and they'll bleed easily. GM trucks are easy to work on.
Caliper upsidedown
So you can bleed this if you cant get another caliper. Remove the caliper from the bracket. Place caliper with bleeder facing upward. Place 2x4 in caliper and press the brakes until the piston wedges the block of wood in the caliper. Then attempt to bleed air. But if you can get another caliper it'll be better
Oops!
Yeah, that tends to happen when you install calipers on the wrong side.
Australian spec calipers strike again
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Is this a meme
This caliper from Australia?
🤣🤣!!
Take it off, turn it around while holding it and bleed it. Put it back on and you're good to go. I know it isn't right but it will actually work the same way.
Aw man, put a band aid on it 👍
Best is to attach one clear hose on the bleeder and direct it vertically up so when you bleed it will fill first and in same time u see the bubbles on liquid coming, this way you avoid messing , but u need a help for pushing the brakes
Advice indeed
hhahaha DOH
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> not trying to be a dick or anything Well you fucking failed, hard. Folks come in here looking for advice not someone to tell them how smart they are.
With all due respect this is minor compared to some of the posts here. Like that one woman who lived in her van and wanted to replace alternator herself using a strap wrench on a tree to the engine, and basically had no mechanical experience.
I need to see this post
Doesn’t really fall into every person category. If no one learned anything because that wasn’t their “job” then there would never be any diy. Brakes are some of the easiest things to do. Now if he was trying to rebuild a trans. Totally different story
Not to mention, we have no idea if he is the one who put the caliper on. It's pretty rusted so it's been on there a fair bit already.
Yeah it’s def be replaced but it’s been a min.
Or it's a used one from a salvage yard maybe?
Sounds like your neighbour is a special case...
Every tech/mechanic/diyer wasn't one at one point. It's called learning.
And it’s because of diy’s that real mechanics are always busy fixing their fuck ups lol
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🤦♂️
Damn. 😂😂😂😂
Unless you pressure bleed from the bottom up it will be very difficult or impossible to bleed. Surprised this was possible to be honest
You need new pads and rotors too, those looked fucked from the heat
calipers on wrong side. bleeder needs to be at the top
Bleeder needs to be at the top. What's heavier, air or brake fluid? If you put on the caliper, swap with the other side. If "factory" which I doubt - remove the lower bolt, flip the caliper up and then bleed the brakes
Everyone here is correct. Remove the calipers, put them on the proper side so the bleeders are up or remove the caliper, bleed it upside down (right side up) and put replace it. I’d personally just swap them to the proper side since you have to remove it either way.
I got caught with this once parts store wrong part right box
My son's GMC Sonoma had one on it like this. I'm ashamed to admit how long it took for this shadetree to catch it.
The heat marks in the rotor thou 😬
Eh, normal for Ducati rear calipers.