Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Manual Bleeding)

^ TOOLS REQUIRED
- J 121472 Brake Bleeder Wrench
- J 21472 Bleeder Wrench
- J 28434 Bleeder Wrench





1. Deplete the booster reserve by applying the brakes several times with the engine off until all of the reserve is depleted.
Do not allow paint to touch painted surfaces.
2. Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the full level mark using only Delco Supreme II Brake fluid or the equivalent, DOT-3 brake fluid, as specified.
^ Maintain the fluid level in the reservoir during the bleeding.
^ Have an assistant press the brake pedal when needed during the bleeding.

IMPORTANT: Be sure the master cylinder reservoir cap is installed before the brake pedal is pressed. This prevents the brake fluid from spraying from the reservoir.

3. If the master cylinder is known or suspected to have air in the bore, bleed it as follows before bleeding the calipers.
3.1. Loosen the forward brake pipe connection at the master cylinder.
3.2. Allow the brake fluid to flow from the connector port.
Maintain the reservoir fluid level.
3.3. Tighten the forward brake pipe on the master cylinder.
3.4. Depress the brake pedal slowly one time and hold.
3.5. Loosen the forward brake pipe connection again to purge air from the bore.
3.6. Tighten the connection and then slowly release the brake pedal.
^ Tighten the brake pipe connection to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).

3.7. Wait 15 seconds.
3.8. Repeat the sequence, including the 15 second wait. Repeat until all of the air is removed from the bore.
3.9. Repeat this procedure and bleed the master cylinder at the rear connection.
4. Bleed the individual wheel calipers only after all of the air is removed from the master cylinder.
If the calipers do not contain air, bleeding is not needed.
5. If all of the wheel circuits must be bled use the following sequence:
5.1. Right Rear
5.2. Left Rear
5.3. Right Front
5.4. Left Front
6. Raise the vehicle and suitably support.
7. Remove the bleeder valve cap and place the proper size box-end wrench or J 21472 Brake Bleeder Wrench/J 28434, over the bleeder valve.
8. Attach a transparent tube to the bleeder valve.
9. Submerge the other end of the tube in a clear container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
10. Depress the brake pedal slowly one time and hold.
Use slow pedal action. Rapid pedal pumping pushes the master cylinder secondary piston down the bore in a way that makes bleeding the system difficult.
10.1. Loosen the bleeder valve to purge the air from the caliper.
10.2. Tighten the bleeder valve.
^ Tighten the caliper bleeder valve to 13 Nm (115 ft. lbs.).

NOTICE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

10.3. Slowly release the brake pedal.
10.4. Wait fifteen seconds.
10.5. Repeat the sequence, including the 15 second wait, until all of the air is removed.
The sequence may need to be bled ten times or more to remove all of the air.
11. Install the bleeder valve caps.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Fill the master cylinder to the full mark.
14. Check the brake pedal for sponginess.
15. Repeat the entire bleeding procedure to correct the sponginess if found.
16. Pressure bleed the brake system using Scan tool, after the manual bleeding procedure is complete.