axle swap brake line question?

[79 blazer]

so i am switching 12 bolts to get a better gear ratio. and am going to swap it tomorrow the only thing is i just realized that i have never delt with disconecting the brake lines. so what do i do to keep brake fluid from spilling everywhere? or do i just have to drain the system and refill it. also when im done and i bleed the brakes what is the order to go in? any help would be great as i dont know anything about setting up brakes. thanks

 

[spearchucker]

When I swapped axles I just disconnected the brake lines at the 'T' on top of the pumpkin. I don't remember fluid gushing out, but I did take a small piece of folded up paper towel and twist it into the 'T' so fluid wouldn't leak out and dirt wouldn't get in. When bleeding the brakes work from the farthest from the master cylinder to the closest (i.e. right rear, left rear, right front, left front). But since you're only disturbing the rear brakes you only need to bleed the rears. And in case you don't already know, when you push down on the pedal while bleeding, don't press it all the way to the floor or you can tear the seal in the master cylinder. You want to keep the pedal about 2 inches from the floor. A 2x4 under the brake pedel would help keep it from going to the floor.

 

[79 blazer]

thanks alot. that should cover everything i need to know.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

you can pinch the soft line going to the rear axle with a small set of needle nose vise grips, don't crush it just enough to keep fluid from going everywhere

 

[79 blazer]

so if i dont pinch will fluid go everywhere or not?

 

[79 blazer]

ttt

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

not necessarily, if your system is in good shape and you don't take the cover off of the master cylinder your fluid loss willbe minimal, if you have to leave your brake lines off overnight then I would do something to keep them from bleeding down