ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: NC TRACKRAT on September 10, 2019, 09:38:07 PM

Title: Replace brake hoses w/o loss of fluid?
Post by: NC TRACKRAT on September 10, 2019, 09:38:07 PM
With the original style disc brake reservoir, does anyone have a trick to minimize loss of fluid while replacing brake hoses?  As I recall with the later dual post MC, you can depress the brake pedal down about 1/3 of the way down and it will inhibit brake fluid loss.  I don't thing that will work on the early version MC....or will it?
Title: Re: Replace brake hoses w/o loss of fluid?
Post by: Bossbill on September 11, 2019, 10:11:14 PM
I used to bleed brakes on my track car -- which I did very often -- by using a spare cap with a fitting to hook up to a garden sprayer -- a low pressure air canister. I  can already hear the peanut gallery saying I'm introducing air into the brake fluid. Uh, no it doesn't.

On the reverse, if you have a spare junky cap put a fitting on it and introduce a light vacuum with your Mighty Vac. You're only trying to negate the effect of gravity so it shouldn't take much vacuum.

Title: Re: Replace brake hoses w/o loss of fluid?
Post by: J_Speegle on September 12, 2019, 02:47:53 PM
If you block the vent hole (in the cap) this will create a vacuum that should hold the vast majority of fluid in the reservoir and give you the affect your looking for. A thinner sandwich bag or quart size bag placed in the top of the master cylinder and then replace the cap back on should provide you with a seal that will work

Normally don't worry - always good to add some new fluid but have done it a couple of time out away from a shop or home in the old days
Title: Re: Replace brake hoses w/o loss of fluid?
Post by: NC TRACKRAT on September 12, 2019, 06:23:41 PM
Thanks for the suggestions, guys.  I'm well-versed in bleeding brakes...I do it faithfully on my track car a couple of days before each event but while changing out the old hoses on the GT350's, I want to minimize the mess.  Hopefully, your tips will help.