# No pressure to back drum brakes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [November 12, 2019, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638 "2019-11-12T06:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bob-Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bob-Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bob-Burnett)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/1 "2019-11-12T06:14:31Z")
I have a 03 gmc Sonoma that’s been sitting idle for at least 3 years…I was attempting to bleed brakes but cant get any fluid to back drum brakes…I opened the line at the back right where it splits to let and rt brake line…it was dry not a drop…the front bleed easily…i dont know if its thr combination valve or my abs system…any help is very much appreciated…thx ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/2 "2019-11-12T12:32:53Z")
Bob, we don’t know either. Loosen the lines at the compo valve to see if you have fluid there. Then go to the ABS unit and crack one of those lines as well. Then come back and tell us what you found. ---
**Author:** ![Scrapyard-John](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Scrapyard-John](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrapyard-John)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/3 "2019-11-12T17:45:04Z")
Are you mashing the brake pedal to push the fluid or just trying to let gravity move the fluid? If just opening the lines, it might help to have someone press the brake pedal to help force the fluid. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/4 "2019-11-12T18:56:45Z")
Check for pressure at the master cylinder. You don’t need to remove the lines. Just have someone pump up and hold pressure on the brake pedal while you quickly crack open each outlet to see if pressure is there. You can presume that if one has no pressure it’s to the rear brakes. ---
**Author:** ![Bob-Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bob-Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bob-Burnett)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/5 "2019-11-12T18:56:52Z")
I have the bleeder screw open and attached to a 1/4 in tube inside a bottle half filled with brake fluid…then I push on brake pedal…but nuthin coming out…front brake calipers are bleeding well. ---
**Author:** ![Bob-Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bob-Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bob-Burnett)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/6 "2019-11-12T19:00:14Z")
Will do…I’ll use some kind of bar from pedal to seat to hold pressure since I’m by myself on this. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/7 "2019-11-12T19:04:34Z")
If you have a hood prop rod > **[Amazon.com: Lisle 46170 Hood Prop with Support: Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-46170-Hood-Prop-Support/dp/B000HDG0S6?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffhp-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000HDG0S6)** they work great. But I suggest you put a cushion at the seat. ---
**Author:** ![Bob-Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bob-Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bob-Burnett)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/8 "2019-11-12T19:10:58Z")
I gotta 10’ piece of 3/4" ridgid pipe I’ll cut to fit…and yea a cushion for sure ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/9 "2019-11-12T21:10:12Z")
Why not just use a brake/gas pedal hold-down tool? ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/2/b2006cb68734a9efe5a744c0fa8ad912e6ee604f.jpeg) I made mine out of an old caulking gun. ![GAS%26BRAKE%20TOOL](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/d/ad579c8cb86d4050ec1bd1595a2c4f43d6fa79e6.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Bob-Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bob-Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bob-Burnett)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/10 "2019-11-12T23:19:49Z")
Now that’s good ol American ingenuity…And I e got 1 around here somewhere…thx ---
**Author:** ![Bob-Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/46a35a/32.png) [@Bob-Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bob-Burnett)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/11 "2019-11-12T23:21:58Z")
Hey. Maybe that’s your million dollar invention…never know…simple but ingenious. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-pressure-to-back-drum-brakes/152638/12 "2019-11-13T03:36:12Z")
I use a branch from an old cherry tree. Close the front bleeders first, then work on finding the problem w/the back wheels by locating the point in the hydraulic system where you have fluid, then after that point you don’t, one side at a time. I’d guess it’s either the ABS or the MC.