Brake Bleeding: Service and Repair
Brake System BleedingSpecial Tools And Equipment:
Special Tool(s)
Material:
Material
Master Cylinder Bleeding
WARNING: Brake fluid contains polyglycol ethers and polyglycols. Avoid contact with eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not allow the brake master cylinder reservoir to run dry during the bleeding operation. Keep the brake master cylinder reservoir filled with the specified brake fluid. Never reuse brake fluid that has been drained from the hydraulic system.
CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.
NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system has been disconnected for repair or new installation, air may get into the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after it has been correctly connected. The hydraulic system can be gravity bled, manually bled, or bled using pressure bleeding equipment.
1. NOTE: When a new brake master cylinder has been installed or the system has been emptied or partially emptied, it should be primed to prevent air from getting into the system.
Disconnect the brake master cylinder tubes.
2. NOTE: Original equipment lines are not intended to be used during this procedure.
Install the 2 short brake tubes with the ends submerged in the brake master cylinder reservoir and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with DOT 3 motor vehicle brake fluid.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal until clear fluid flows from both brake tubes without air bubbles.
4. Remove the 2 short brake tubes and install the 2 master cylinder brake tube fittings.
5. Bleed each brake tube at the brake master cylinder as follows:
1 Have an assistant pump the brake pedal and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
2 Loosen the rear brake tube fittings until a stream of brake fluid comes out. Have an assistant maintain pressure on the brake pedal while tightening the brake tube fitting.
3 Repeat this operation until clear, bubble free fluid comes out.
4 Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary. REPEAT the bleeding operation at the front brake tube.
6. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the master cylinder brake tubes.
^ Tighten to 17 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
Brake Caliper Bleeding
NOTE: It is not necessary to bleed the entire brake system. It is possible to bleed only the opened part of the system.
1. Connect one end of a clear flexible hose to the bleeder screw. Submerge the other end in a container partially filled with the specified brake fluid.
2. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
3. Open the caliper bleeder screw until brake fluid flows into the container.
4. When fluid stops flowing, close the bleeder screw.
^ Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) for the front brake bleeder screw and 22 Nm (16 ft. lbs.) for the rear brake bleeder screw.
5. Repeat the previous 3 steps until there are no air bubbles in the brake fluid.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) Bleeding
NOTE: This procedure is required only when a new HCU is installed.
1. Connect the diagnostic tool and follow the ABS bleed instructions.
2. Use the caliper bleed procedure to bleed the system. Begin at the RH rear caliper.