How to Bleed Brakes

Brakes are always very important. You are always dependent upon brakes while driving a vehicle. Brakes are the only way to stop the moving vehicle, without them or with failed brakes it is almost impossible to stop any vehicle and this will sometimes create too much chaos in the drivers mind and eventually the result is an accident. Whenever you feel that your brakes are not working or you find them spongy, bleed them.

Items Required

• Clear plastic tubing or rubber hose
• Old turkey baster
• Brake fluid
• Box wrench
• Clear plastic bottle
• A helper
• Goggles
• Rag

Instructions

• Find the master cylinder reservoir and take its cap out.

• Use an old turkey baster to suck the dark fluid out of the reservoir.

• Once you have sucked most of the fluid with the help of turkey baster, take a lint free rag and clean the matter which is settled at the bottom.

• Take brake fluid and pour it into the master cylinder reservoir. Once the cylinder is filled, replace the cap.

• Depress the brake pedal for few times.

• Take a wrench and unfasten the bleeding valve.

• Take a rubber hose and fit it over the end of the bleed valve. The other end of the rubber hose should be in the clear plastic bottle. Before putting the rubber hose in the bottle fill it with few inches of fresh fluid.

• Direct your helper to sit in the driver’s seat and follow your instructions. Signal your helper to press down the brake pedal as much as he/she can and hold it there for sometime.

• Start with the rear wheel; unbolt the valve, air and the fluid will then flows into the bottle through rubber hose. Once the fluid stops draining, lock the valve again.

• Signal your helper to release the brake pedal.

• Repeat the process and refill the master cylinder reservoir each time you finished with bleeding test.

• Be sure to fill the reservoir up to the given mark.

• Fasten each of the valves carefully.

• Repeat this process on each of the remaining wheels and follow the same instruction each time.

Hints

• Always use goggles and gloves for safety.

• Use the recommended brake fluid for your vehicle. Any other fluid may not work effectively.

• Only use the correct wrench for valves and bolts.

• Make sure that all the valves and bolts are tightly fastened to avoid any leakage. Leak in the brake fluid can extremely be dangerous for your safety.

Take a test drive after you have done with your task to make sure that the brakes are properly working.