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Bleeding Master Cylinder on 1996 Chevy Lumina 3.4L

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Old Aug 17, 2023 | 4:29 AM
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Default Bleeding Master Cylinder on 1996 Chevy Lumina 3.4L

1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.4L. This is not the same as the midsize car, Chevrolet Lumina.
I replaced the brake master cylinder, and I have yet to reinstall it yet. The master cylinder comes directly connected to the ABS unit, and they get removed together.





The master cylinder came with 2 hoses and 2 screw-in plastic fittings to attach the hoses to the outlet holes. I don't have a vice, so I plan to do the bleed while the master cylinder is installed.
I need to bleed everything. How do I do it with only 2 hoses? Which holes (each one connects to a brake line going to each wheel) do I use?

Last edited by Nehmo; Sep 16, 2023 at 10:52 AM.
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Old Aug 19, 2023 | 7:58 PM
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is that 2 bleeder screws on the end? post a pic of the front
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Old Aug 19, 2023 | 8:38 PM
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Default I blead it, more or less.

Originally Posted by tech2
Is that 2 bleeder screws on the end? post a pic of the front
Yep, there are 2 zerk fittings on the front. I took the Master cylinder/ABS unit to a place with a vice, I attached 2 tubes to the exit holes on the ABS, loosened the zerk fittings, filled the reservoir, and I pushed the plunger in with a big screwdriver. With a couple of pushes, fluid came out of every hole. I did the standard bleed procedure with the zerk fittings (closing them before letting the plunger return back), and I did what I could with the other holes.
It wasn't a perfect bleed job, but maybe it's satisfactory.
It's so hot here today in Kansas City, and I was so tired, I postponed installing the MC/ABS into the vehicle. I'll do it tomorrow, Sunday 8-20.

This is the ABS unit with the bottom cover removed. You have to open it to access the bolts securing it to the master cylinder. I didn't realize there would be gears inside. It looks like there are 3 motors in there.

Last edited by Nehmo; Aug 19, 2023 at 8:56 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2023 | 8:41 AM
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https://qrcd.org/3bOg "...the Delco ABS-VI anti-lock brake system has been used on a wide range of General Motors front-wheel-drive vehicles, including Chevrolet Lumina and APV,..It has four wheel-speed sensors, but is a three-channel system. The front brakes are controlled separately, but the rear brakes share a common ABS circuit ..." I believe I have the https://www.motor.com/magazinepdfs/062001_04.pdf ABS-VI system. The pictures look the same except for the reservoir.
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Old Sep 15, 2023 | 3:00 PM
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Default Bleeding Brakes, keep getting air, 96' Chevy Lumina APV

1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.4L
I replaced the brake master cylinder, which is in an inconvenient location in this vehicle, BTW, and then replaced the left-rear to master-cylinder/ABS. Old thread: https://qrcd.org/3fHi
Now, I can't seem to bleed the line I just replaced. I'm by myself, so I'm using the tube-in-bottle system. (A bottle partially filled with brake fluid has a submerged tube end in it with the other end attached to an open bleeder valve.) I can pump fluid into the bottle, but bubbles of air don't seem to stop coming. I just tightened all the fittings on the new line and tried again. I'm exhausted now; I had to do it in the heat outside.
I figured maybe there was some small leak in the new line that didn't permit brake fluid to come out but on the brief backstroke, allowed some air to enter in the line. I don't really know though.
Opinions? Suggestions?
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