Today I went to bleed the rear brakes. This is a job I should have done when I installed the new master. I didn't because I was short on time. I bench bled the master and it seemed to work, but I always intended to go back and do the job right. For one thing, I wanted to run clean fluid through the whole system.
So I removed the wheels and loosened the bleeder. Hooked up a clear hose into a cup and began pumping the brakes. Nothing! I couldn't believe it. No fluid would come out. I removed the bleeder completely and tried again. I could push the brakes as hard as I wanted and nothing would come out of the caliper. I tried the other side and the same result.
So I began tracing the system. The fluid would pump out at the master and at the tee in back. But not a drop out of the rubber hose on the trailing arm. I was able to blow compressed air through the short tube from the caliper to the hose, but even a 120 psi wouldn't go through the hose. I removed the hoses on both sides. (That turned out to be a major pain in the arss.)
I put one end of the hose in a vise and pulled it straight. Tried the compressed air again. (No joy) I stuck a piece of safety wire in about 3" and tried the air again. This time it went through. I washed it out with some brake clean and more compressed air. I repeated this on the other hose, but it required a lot more wire in both ends to clean out.
Installed everything back and finished the bleeding job.
So, why just the hoses clogged? They looked good on the outside. Should I assume they are shot on the inside and replace them? Anybody else have this happen or am I just lucky?