Manual and Pressure Bleeding Procedures
Notice: Brake fluid is extremely damaging to paint. If fluid should accidentally touch a painted surface, immediately wipe fluid from paint and clean the painted surface.- Tools Required
- J 21472 Bleeder Wrench
- J 28434 Bleeder Wrench
The bleeding procedure is necessary to remove air whenever it is introduced into the hydraulic brake system.
Bleed the hydraulic system at all four brakes if air has been introduced by a low fluid condition or disconnecting the brake pipes at the master cylinder or the Brake Pressure Modulator (BPM) valve. If a brake pipe is disconnected at any wheel only that caliper need be bled. Pipes are disconnected at an fitting located between the master cylinder and the brakes then the brake system served by the disconnected pipe must be bled.
Manual Bleeding
Remove the booster vacuum reserve by applying the brakes several times with the ignition OFF.
1. Fill the master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid and keep the reservoir at least one-half full of fluid during the bleeding operation.
2. The master cylinder should be bled before the calipers are bled, if the master cylinder is known or suspected to have air in the bore. Bleed as follows:
2.1. Disconnect the forward brake pipe connection at the master cylinder.
2.2. Fill the master cylinder with brake fluid until it begins to flow from the forward pipe connector port.
2.3. Connect the forward brake pipe to the master cylinder and tighten.
2.4. Slowly depress the brake pedal and hold.
2.5. Loosen the forward brake pipe connection at the master cylinder to purge air from the cylinder.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
2.6. Tighten the connection.
- Tighten the brake pipe to 32 Nm (24 ft. lbs.).
2.7. Slowly release the brake pedal.
2.8. Wait 15 seconds and repeat steps until all air is removed from the bore.
2.9. Bleed the master cylinder at the rear (cowl end) connection after all the air has been removed at the forward connection.
2.10. Slowly depress the brake pedal and hold. Check for firm pedal feel and proper brake pedal travel. If the wheel cylinders and calipers do not contain air, bleeding may not be necessary.
3. Bleed the individual calipers after all air is removed from the master cylinder.
3.1. Place the J 21472 on the bleeder valve.
3.2. Attach a transparent tube over the valve and allow tube to hang submerged in a transparent contained filled with brake fluid.
3.3. Slowly depress the brake pedal and hold.
3.4. Loosen the bleeder valve to purge the air from the cylinder.
3.5. Tighten the bleeder screw.
- Tighten the brake bleeder valves to 13 Nm (10 ft. lbs.). Slowly release the pedal. Wait 15 seconds. Repeat the sequence until all air is removed from the caliper. Do not pump the brake pedal rapidly. Pumping pushes the master cylinder secondary piston down the bore which causes difficulty bleeding.
4. Repeat the bleeding sequence.
4.1. Bleed the left front caliper.
4.2. Bleed the right front caliper.
4.3. Bleed the left rear caliper.
4.4. Bleed the right rear caliper.
5. Check the brake pedal for sponginess.
Caution: Do not move the vehicle until a firm brake pedal is obtained. Air in the brake system can cause the loss of brakes with possible personal injury.
6. Repeat the entire bleeding procedure if a low brake pedal or pedal sponginess is encountered.
7. If pedal sponginess is still encountered, refer to Automated Bleed Procedure. Service and Repair
Pressure Bleeding
- Tools Required
- J 35589 Bleeder Adapter
1. Remove the master cylinder reservoir cap and replace with J 35589 (1).
2. Charge the bleeder to 140 - 172 kPa (20 - 25 psi).
3. Connect the hose to the J 35589 (1).
4. Open the valve on the brake bleeder tank.
5. Raise the vehicle and suitably support. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
6. Place a proper size wrench over the bleed screw.
7. Attach a clear tube over the screw and allow the tube to hang submerged in a clear container partially filled with brake fluid.
8. Open the bleed screw at least 3/4 turn and allow flow to continue until no air is seen in the fluid.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
9. Close the bleed screw.
- Tighten bleed screws to 13 Nm (10 ft. lbs.).
10. Repeat bleeding sequence in order.
10.1. Bleed the left front caliper.
10.2. Bleed the right front caliper.
10.3. Bleed the left rear caliper.
10.4. Bleed the right rear caliper.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Check the brake pedal for sponginess. Repeat the entire bleeding procedure if a low brake pedal or sponginess is found.
13. Remove the brake bleeding equipment from the master cylinder.