Hey, just swapped in a 8.25 rear and put new hard lines in the back. I loosened the bleeder valve on each side and attached a rubber hose to each nipple and then put the end of the lines into a cup of brake fluid. I then pumped it 5-6 times and the fluid started to push out into the cup. So then with the hose still attached to the bleeders I closed them both then removed the hoses.

Problem: The brakes seem nice and firm but once the car is started they have barely any pressure. I almost have to put my foot all the way onto the pedal to stop the car. Any ides on how to solve this without going to a shop?

 

This may be a silly question, but you did bleed the front brakes, didn't you?

 

bleeding is a mandatory two person if it was just you then get a friend and have them hold the brake down while you tighten that way it doesn't pull any air in if you did ignore this first part

past that i wouldn't be sure you may check you vacuum lines that's where i would probably start

also check for leaks on the new lines.

 

Do i really have to bleed the fronts also?...so when the other person pumps the pedal on the fifth pump they hold down the pedal and then I tighten the bleeder and repeat for the other side?

 

correct cause when you let go of the pedal it pulls the brake fluid back and any air in through the hose. i would recommend doing the front two cause most vehicles (not sure how the xj fits in this) have a diagonal brake line set up meaning the front left brake is hooked to the right rear and vice versa, but it could be that all tires are separate not sure how the brake booster is set up on ours

 

I've always gravity bled brakes. Pump the brakes then crack the bleeder and let it get any air out then continue. Always been one person job for me.

 

The best way to do it as Ive been told , is to bleed the farthest wheel from the master cylinder and work your way to the closest. They way to do it is to pump the brakes, hold brake pedal down, open bleeder, close bleeder, then release brake and repeat as needed till you get all the air out.

 

You don't need to bleed the fronts, too. It's a separate reservoir in the master cylinder. Bleed the right rear, then the left rear. Starting with teh right rear: Have a friend pump the pedal about 5 times and hold it. Then, you crack open the bleeder and close it. Repeat til clean fluid flows out and no air. Do the same with the left rear. FYI: left and right are called as you would be sitting in the driver's seat. Keep an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder after about 3 bleeds.

 

also adjust rears up pedal height will decrease..