Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

All procedures are useful and backed by a lot of web research. To Terry, I may be off on my thinking, but does rapping on Calipers with rubber mallet then gravity bleeding acomplsh the same thing as driving the car and then rebledding? It would be a lot easier then removing tires.

[Terry M.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

All procedures are useful and backed by a lot of web research. To Terry, I may be off on my thinking, but does rapping on Calipers with rubber mallet then gravity bleeding acomplsh the same thing as driving the car and then rebledding? It would be a lot easier then removing tires.

Ted
I believe striking the calipers with the dead blow hammer accomplishes the same thing as driving the car. It may take several rounds of the hammer on each caliper, but that is far easier then mounting the wheels, lowering the car, driving the car, raising the car, dismounting the wheels. Try it and see how it works for you. It's easy enough.

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Terry, For me and possibly future readers, could you please be very specific and define what you mean by "dead blow". On rears I can only tap outer halves of caliper. Also, Is the bleeder valve open (during gravity bleed) while striking the caliper; or is it a tap-open-close, then repeat?
Ive seen youtubes where they strike MC as well.

[Patrick B.]

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

that makes sense never thought about vibration caused by ringing.
I hope Im finished now. I did rap with several taps up and down cailpers. they all gravity bled like a sive. I did have a little weeping at a connection below switch. I got another 1/5 turn. nothing showing yet. Gonna take for a spin in a few.THANKS ALL.

[Terry M.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Terry, For me and possibly future readers, could you please be very specific and define what you mean by "dead blow". On rears I can only tap outer halves of caliper. Also, Is the bleeder valve open (during gravity bleed) while striking the caliper; or is it a tap-open-close, then repeat?
Ive seen youtubes where they strike MC as well.

Ted
I did it with the bleeder closed, have a beverage and then open bleeder.

Google dead blow hammer. I can't transfer an image from my work computer. Perhaps someone else is not restricted by their IT Department, or wait until I get to my own PC.

The striking surface of a dead blow hammer is plastic and there is less chance of marring the surface of the caliper. Patrick's suggestion of using an ordinary hammer is workable if you are careful not to mar the caliper, or don't care if you do.

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

RESULTS for all intetested. The car is driving and stopping, THANK YOU FORUM BROTHERS. Pedal is about 1 and 3/4 inch from floor. not real happy with that. only had to snug a couple of connection to address minor weeping. LESSON learned: tighten-loosen-tighten connections about 3 times and snug firmly (connections are tough to reach and its easy to round shoulders on bolt heads.)
Rebled MC with buddy at ports only. Assured no bubbles.
Gravity bled a couple times to assure shuttle was centered. Fronts and rears were happily bleeding.
Removed after market cadmium MC cover and reinstalled tin cover that came with after market MC. Hopefully a common sense decision for fitment purposes. Fluid still full within MC.
I just might have that beverage today. lol.

To gain complete confidence, I thought about getting a power bleed (motive type), but then it occured to me that might trip the distribution block shuttle. Definately dont want that to happen! Thoughts???

I believe too many openings and closings of bleeder valves compromises seal. Speedbleeders come with a read sealant on the threads; must be a reason. . I have read that Loctite 545 is compatible for hydrallulic connections and brake fluid. Someone on forum mentioned a grey tape. (Where sold and exact name needed??) Any wisdom or suggestions here? I want to be ready for next gravity bleed.

God bless you all!

[Owen L.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Great news!
If you contemplate getting a Motive-style setup, save that extra MC cap to modify it for an air fitting to drive the Motive. It would be sweet if it maintained the MC's bail clamping ability to seal it instead of using chain() or clamps. (I may just have to investigate that route myself.)

I've never read that pressure bleeding will activate the distribution block's shuttle - and not experienced it myself. I believe it doesn't because when the pressure differential of bleeding is occurring, the master is not also applying pressure to the sealed circuit. The situation of both circuits under pressure is what activates the shuttle movement; the higher pressure (sealed) circuit pushing the shuttle to the lower pressure (leaking) circuit.

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Hopeful I can receive replies. I have brakes with low pedal ( alout 1 and1/2 inch from floor to bottom of pedal. Seems risky. Is it?
To date, Ive changed rotars, MC, booster rod and washer, check valve, and distribution block. Pads are about 1/2 inch thick. It gravity bled very well after getting shuttle centered on DB. I am going to gravity bleed again. should I be concerned about shuttle go off center with gravity bleeding. I attempted to start new post but not an option on forum right now.
How do I search forum by topic? Poss others have had low pedal.
Thank you. Ted (64289)
I would welcome direct email (tedzywicki@hotmail.com)

[Owen L.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Can't comment on the low pedal...

Gravity bleeding won't cause the warning piston to move at all since it's a slow and gentle process. Consider that even when pushing the pedal to force bleed or using a power bleeder, it doesn't trigger it – or at least hasn't for me when doing bleeding jobs over the decades. I don't know the pressure differential to move the piston but a figure may be out there in GM literature somewhere.

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Owen, you've gotten me through a lot of concerns. I appreciate your responses, logic, and experience. Thank you, Bill and others.

A little off subject but my pedal is very close to floor. Even feels like it slowly drops on occasion. I see a mist of brake fluid around the perimeter of the MC. I'm going to buy a new gasket cuz it seems I must be losing some pressure. Anything else come to mind re: pedal height.
Ted

[Owen L.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Mist of BF: Remove the two nuts that secure the master to the booster and pull the master away a bit. If you have fluid in the mating space them then the master is leaking from the piston seals and needs to be rebuilt or replaced. (Lately, even new parts seem to have a significant failure rate.)

If you have a Mity-Vac type thing, you can test the booster's diaphragm for any leaks.

When you replaced the master, did you bench bleed it to ensure all air was removed from the piston bore?

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

I have not detected any fluid betwedn MC and booster. yes I did bench bleed ( couple times) due to dist block replacement I would rebleed all bleedable areas.
the weeping I am referring to is at the perimeter of the MC cover. The gasket is a few years old. i bought a cadium cover in an attempt to give stock appearance. this cover is being repurposed on the newer MC. Perhaps it has flattened some. For the cost of a new one, Im changing.

[Owen L.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

the weeping I am referring to is at the perimeter of the MC cover. The gasket is a few years old. i bought a cadium cover in an attempt to give stock appearance. this cover is being repurposed on the newer MC. Perhaps it has flattened some. For the cost of a new one, Im changing.

Whew! Glad it's just the cover. I'm unsure of how accurate the new caps are compared to originals, but my '72 absolutely requires a pry tool of some sort to flip the bails off. Check your bails to make sure they aren't bowed upwards, that is, if you have the dual-reservoir style. (I don't recall the year of your car.) You can reshape the bails as they just pull out of the MC housing.

As for searching this forum, it's an exercise in frustration for me too. I've read the FAQ on it but still don't get good results. Google's site search doesn't seem to function at all. Maybe it's a .org limitation. I usually end up searching the CorvetteForum using Google's site search parameter. For example: site:corvetteforum.com "distribution block"

[Ted Z.]

Re: Recentering shuttle in brake distribution block

Good to hear back Owen.
Thanks. I was wondering about the replacement cap not being a precise match for the Napa MC.
oh well, my task is going to spend the 8 bucks, get a new gasket and tweak the bails. Logic rules. Ill let you know what happens. That may or may not explain the pedal feel. Im hopeful its that simple a fix.