Can't bleed the rear brakes - am I doing this right?

[JJorda]

I finally got around to doing some work on my '71 Coupe "racecar" project. I need to be able to move the car on it's own in 2-3 weeks since it's sitting on top of where a foundation needs to be dug for my new garage addition.

A little background - the car has been off the road pretty much since 1987. The previous owner had the car for about two years, drove it around the block a few times, then took the calipers off for a brake rebuild. They never went back on - I got them back together with mostly all new flexible lines - except for the center rear one, I can't get to it where it sits right now. It's siezed in place, so I figure I'd replace it in a few weeks when I can get it on a lift.

The front calipers bled fine. I bled until the fluid ran clear, no problems - other than a leaking caliper which I need to replace quick. I couldn't get fluid to the rear. The front reservoir would drain into the system, but not the rear - the level stayed the same no matter what. I have the car supported with jack stands on the rear axle, so that should allow the compensator to pass fluid, correct? Once I get the front calipers replaced I'll try bleeding the rears with the engine running, to see if the booster can "push" fluid through the lines a little easier, but is there something I'm missing? Any particular method I need to follow to get the fluid to flow?

[vandor]

If the axle is supported then you likely have a clog somewhere. Either that center hose is swollen shut, or the compensator is stuck shut. You could crack the inlet line to the compensator and see if you get fluid. If yes, the crack the outlet line, and check for fluid. If it's the compensator, then you can get a female-female bypass hose from the vendors.

[JJorda]

Just wanted to follow up on this - I was able to get fluid to the rear brakes today by using a vacuum pump and pumping the brake pedal. Once I got fluid flowing, it seemed to flow a little more smoothly.

I'll drive it around my driveway once I get the tires back on - I might flush the lines once more just to be sure I got the crud out from a quarter century of sitting. Then re-lube the calipers and off I go (hopefully)!

[RoyBatty]

Nice to hear you're having some success.
I think I got lucky with mine as it looked as though Mark had already flushed the brake system and installed a set of braided lines.
I do notice the Coupes brakes with the metal braided brake lines are much more responsive than the brakes on my spider which had the stock soft lines, for now.