How to Bleed Your Brakes the Right Way

HOW TO BLEED YOUR CAR'BRAKES THE RIGHT WAY To get rid of that spongy, squishy feeling when you step on your brake after getting new brake pads, you will need to bleed the brakes. This means getting rid of the trapped air bubbles in the line. Manufacturers recommend replacing your brake fluid every two to three years as brake fluid deteriorates with use. The once clear brake fluid will start to look more like clouded ink. TOOLS O Turkey baster (or syringe) Box-end wrench Brake Fluid Fluid holder and 1x4 piece of Friend (use appropriate size) tubing lumber STEP 1 Find the bleeder valves located behind your brakes and make sure that you can loosen them. Use a box-end wrench that fits the size of the bleeder bolt, loosen the bolts but leave them closed. STEP 2 Locate the master cylinder reservoir and draw out the old oil fluids with a turkey baster or syringe. *Be sure not to spill the fluid on any painted surface as it will remove paint! Clean the reservoir of any sediment with a clean rag. STEP 3 Start at the right rear of the car. Get a piece of clear plastic tubing and push one end over the brake bleeder bolt. Put the other end into a clear holder with an inch or two of clean brake fluid in it. STEP 4 Put the piece of 1 x 4 lumber under the pedal to prevent it from traveling too far when the brake line pressure is released. STEP 5 Fill up the master cylinder reservoir with fresh brake fluid and put the cover back on. Never let the reservoir fall more than half empty because air may get back into the system. *Put the cap back on or fluid will squirt out of the open container every time the pedal is released! STEP 6 Have your friend sit in the driver's seat and press on the brakes a few times. STEP 7 Every time you say "down," have your friend depress the brake pedal with roughly the amount of force needed to keep the car from rolling forward at a stop sign. Then they will say "down" and keep the pressure steady. STEP 8 When you hear their reply, let them know that the brake pedal is about to sink and to keep the pressure on constantly. Turn the bleeder bolt a quarter-turn; some of the old fluid will trickle into the bottle. STEP 9 UP! Once the trickling stops, close the bleeder bolt. Say "up" to indicate that your friend can remove their foot from the pedal. STEP 10 Repeat this process until fresh, clear fluid is coming from the bleeder. Every 6 or so motions, top off the reservoir with fresh fluids to keep it filled. STEP 11 Once clean fluid is coming out of the brake, snug the bleeder bolt. Repeat steps 7-10 with the rear left, right front, and then finally to the left front. STEP 12 After you bring the brake fluid level in the reservoir back to the full level, drive the vehicle around the block to road test the brakes. The brake pedal should no longer feel spongy when you press it. If it does, check the master cylinder reservoir again to make sure that it is full and try bleeding the brakes one more time. CREATED BY JB TOOLS