Troubleshooting Bleeding Brakes with Vacuum Brake Bleeder

Question:

After installing the actuator, which was nothing more than a bolt on to the ibeam, making the connection to the 5 flat wiring plug, and ing the brake line. I still having a problem with bleeding the system. I assume there is nothing else I missed during the installation that would prevent the bleeding of the lines but I am stumped. My degree of experience is better than average and need to know if I missed anything. I have been cracking the bleeder valves on the calipers and using a hand held vacuum brake bleeder that I have used for years and even when the bleeder is almost completely open it still wont draw fluid. Pressure on bleeder pump just sits there on the maximum draw pressure and just will not draw.

asked by: Vinny

Expert Reply:

You shouldn't be experiencing issues with bleeding the brakes with a Vacuum Brake Bleeder, like part # PTW87030, after installing the Brake Actuator with Electric Lockout # 099-175-20.

It sounds like you might have a clog somewhere in your brake line. What you will want to do is find the next closest fitting from the brake on the trailer and try bleeding the brake line from there. If it bleeds just fine then you know that you need to replace the brake line section that you just bypassed. You will want to repeat this process until you find which brake line it is.

I have attached a link to our selection of brakes lines as well as our selection of brake line adapters that you can filter through.

expert reply by: Jon G