Bleeding rear brakes on 1978 C30 dually

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

B

bee man

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2024
Posts
4
Reaction score
5
Location
Saskatchewan
First Name
bruce
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C30 camper special 1 ton dually
Engine Size
350
hello I'm new to this site and am hoping someone can enlighten me on how to bleed my rear brakes.
I did a full tear down and replaced the wheel cylinder. I've got the brakes back on and installed the drum and need to bleed the brakes but they are so close to the leaf springs I don't know how to loosen or tighten the bleeder nipple. Does anyone have a trick or is there a tool I need?
 
fast 99

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
2,029
Reaction score
2,932
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
These are what I used. Bleeder should be 5/16 or 8 mm. Sometimes a long combination will work. If tight will need a box end wrench.

top Matco SPW100 3/8 5/16
bottom Snap on B1458C 1/4 3/8
 

Attachments

  • ble4ed.JPG
    ble4ed.JPG
    125.5 KB · Views: 25
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,439
Reaction score
28,345
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
There are (or were) bleeder wrenches made specifically for that application. We had a thread about that several years back I think. I don't remember the manufacturer of the bleeder wrench I have.
 
Grit dog

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
6,970
Reaction score
12,220
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
If the wheel cylinder is new, the bleeder isn’t rusted in so just use an open end wrench.
If there’s not room to get a box wrench over the end, that sucks but not until the next time 10 years from now when it’s rusted tight.
I generally put a bit of antiseize on bleeder screws…..for next time.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,439
Reaction score
28,345
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
It also matters if it's a cab & chassis rear axle. The brakes are REALLY close to the spring packs.
 
fast 99

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
2,029
Reaction score
2,932
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
bucket said:
It also matters if it's a cab & chassis rear axle. The brakes are REALLY close to the spring packs.
Click to expand...
Most of our trucks were cab and chassis. And yes, very tight. When replacing shoes, always check the bleeder before installing anything. Stuck or clogged bleeder usually means removing the wheel cylinder or at the very least unbolting backing plate for access. Plate can be pulled away from springs slightly with line attached for access. Stuck bleeder use 6 point socket.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,439
Reaction score
28,345
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I was out in the garage and remembered about this bleeder wrench thing. Pictured here is my snap-on bleeder wrench that I use most often and also my specialty wrench that I can't remember the maker (red handle).

You must be registered for see images attach


And here I am trying to use both of them on my cab/chassis truck. Please note, I pictured the side with a broken and missing u-bolt... this pretty much doubles the access space, but I did it for picture clarity. The specialty bleeder wrench fits right in and would clear the u-bolt if it was still there. The regular bleeder wrench though, I couldn't even get it to engage the bleeder due to clearance issues all around. And it's even taking up the space that has been vacated by the u-bolt.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach


I have no idea how y'all can manage to access that bleeder with a box end wrench or any type of standard bleeder wrench.
 
B

bee man

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2024
Posts
4
Reaction score
5
Location
Saskatchewan
First Name
bruce
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C30 camper special 1 ton dually
Engine Size
350
bucket said:
I was out in the garage and remembered about this bleeder wrench thing. Pictured here is my snap-on bleeder wrench that I use most often and also my specialty wrench that I can't remember the maker (red handle).

You must be registered for see images attach


And here I am trying to use both of them on my cab/chassis truck. Please note, I pictured the side with a broken and missing u-bolt... this pretty much doubles the access space, but I did it for picture clarity. The specialty bleeder wrench fits right in and would clear the u-bolt if it was still there. The regular bleeder wrench though, I couldn't even get it to engage the bleeder due to clearance issues all around. And it's even taking up the space that has been vacated by the u-bolt.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach


I have no idea how y'all can manage to access that bleeder with a box end wrench or any type of standard bleeder wrench.
Click to expand...
 
B

bee man

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2024
Posts
4
Reaction score
5
Location
Saskatchewan
First Name
bruce
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C30 camper special 1 ton dually
Engine Size
350
those are great photos
I've looked on line with and the wait for shipping is too far out. So I hope I can make my own
Would it be possible to get a picture showing the dimension of the offset looks like about 1 1/2"
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,439
Reaction score
28,345
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
bee man said:
those are great photos
I've looked on line with and the wait for shipping is too far out. So I hope I can make my own
Would it be possible to get a picture showing the dimension of the offset looks like about 1 1/2"
Click to expand...


Well crap, I forgot about this. Probably too late now, but here's some basic dimensions.

You must be registered for see images attach
 
B

bee man

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2024
Posts
4
Reaction score
5
Location
Saskatchewan
First Name
bruce
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C30 camper special 1 ton dually
Engine Size
350
No this is perfect, been so busy with other things I have yet to try to build it. I really appreciate the time you took to get me the info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Chris64
Rear brake bleeding struggles
2 3
Replies
36
Views
2K
Chris64
Chris64
K
Brakes
Replies
13
Views
966
ali_c20
ali_c20
justinbrugg
Squishy brakes
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Radiohead
Radiohead
MuffinMan
1984 C30 Dually Brakes
Replies
5
Views
819
Turbo4whl
Turbo4whl
smpoulin1
Need Help with Rear Brakes.
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
Turbo4whl
Turbo4whl

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,160
Posts
950,626
Members
36,273
Latest member
dannyphx
Top