Base Brake Bleeding
BASE BRAKE BLEEDING - SRT8
Use the following procedure to bleed the rear brake calipers of this vehicle. The front brake calipers may be bled using the same procedure as the standard model.
CAUTION: Before removing the master cylinder cover, wipe it clean to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from dropping into the master cylinder.
CAUTION: Use only Mopar(R) brake fluid or an equivalent from a fresh, tightly sealed container. Brake fluid must conform to DOT 3 specifications.
NOTE: For bleeding the antilock-brake hydraulic system, Service and Repair
NOTE: Do not pump the brake pedal at any time with a bleeder screw open during the bleeding process. This only increases the amount of air in the system and makes additional bleeding necessary.
NOTE: Do not allow the master cylinder reservoir to run out of brake fluid while bleeding the system. An empty reservoir allows additional air into the brake system. Check the fluid level frequently and add fluid as needed.
NOTE: Pressure bleeding is highly recommended to bleed this brake system to make sure all air is removed from system. Manual bleeding may also be used, but additional time is needed to remove all air from system.
Although the pressure method is recommended for bleeding the base brake system, the manual method can also be performed. Both methods are presented in this text.
PRESSURE BLEEDING METHOD
NOTE: Follow pressure bleeder manufacturer's instructions for use of pressure bleeding equipment.
1. Remove the filler cap from the top of the fluid reservoir (2) on the master cylinder.
2. Install Adapter (1) 6921, in the caps place on the reservoir (2).
3. Attach Bleeder Tank C-3496-B, or equivalent, to Adapter 6921 (1). Pressurize the system following the pressure bleeder manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE: To make sure all air is bled from the ICU or junction block in a timely manner, it is recommended to raise the rear of the vehicle approximately 5° higher than the front or approximately 254-305 mm(10-12 inches) as measured at the rear bumper (1).
4. Raise and support vehicle placing rear of vehicle approximately 5° higher than the front or if measured at the rear bumper (1), approximately 10-12 inches above level. It will be necessary to add extra support stands under vehicle to support this angle.
NOTE: Use the following wheel circuit sequence for bleeding the brake hydraulic system to adequately remove all trapped air from the brake hydraulic system.
- Right rear wheel
- Left rear wheel
- Right front wheel
- Left front wheel
REAR BRAKES
1. If installed, remove the rubber dust caps from both bleeder screws on each caliper.
2. Start at the first wheel circuit that needs to be bled (See list in above note). Attach a clear hose (3) to the inboard bleeder screw (2) at the wheels brake caliper and feed the other end of hose into a clear jar (4) containing enough fresh brake fluid to submerge the end of the hose.
CAUTION: Open the bleeder screw at least one full turn when instructed. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as far as ten feet or more from the bleeder screw. If the bleeder screw is not opened sufficiently, fluid flow is restricted causing a slow, weak fluid discharge. This will NOT get all the air out. Therefore, it is essential to open the bleeder screw at least one full turn to allow a fast, large volume discharge of brake fluid.
3. Open the inboard bleeder screw (2) one full turn to obtain an adequate flow of brake fluid.
4. After bleeding 118-237 ml. (4-8 oz.) of brake fluid through the brake hydraulic circuit, and maintaining air-free flow (no bubbles) is in the clear plastic hose (3) and jar (4), close the bleeder screw (2).
5. Remove the clear hose and install the bleeder screw dust cap.
6. Attach a clear hose (5) to the outboard bleeder screw (1) at the same brake caliper and feed the other end of hose into a clear jar (4) containing enough fresh brake fluid to submerge the end of the hose.
CAUTION: Open the bleeder screw at least one full turn when instructed. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as far as ten feet or more from the bleeder screw. If the bleeder screw is not opened sufficiently, fluid flow is restricted causing a slow, weak fluid discharge. This will NOT get all the air out. Therefore, it is essential to open the bleeder screw at least one full turn to allow a fast, large volume discharge of brake fluid.
7. Open the outboard bleeder screw (1) one full turn to obtain an adequate flow of brake fluid.
8. After bleeding 118-237 ml. (4-8 oz.) of brake fluid through the brake hydraulic circuit, and maintaining air-free flow (no bubbles) is in the clear plastic hose (5) and jar (4), close the bleeder screw (1).
9. Remove the clear hose and install the bleeder screw dust cap.
10. Bleed the opposite rear brake wheel circuits as necessary in the same manner until all air is removed from the brake hydraulic system, then proceed to the front brakes.
FRONT BRAKES
1. If installed, remove the rubber dust cap from bleeder screw on each front brake caliper.
2. Start at the first wheel circuit that needs to be bled (See list in above note), attach a clear hose (1) to the bleeder screw at that wheels brake caliper and feed the other end of hose into a clear jar (2) containing enough fresh brake fluid to submerge the end of the hose.
CAUTION: Open the bleeder screw at least one full turn when instructed. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as far as ten feet or more from the bleeder screw. If the bleeder screw is not opened sufficiently, fluid flow is restricted causing a slow, weak fluid discharge. This will NOT get all the air out. Therefore, it is essential to open the bleeder screw at least one full turn to allow a fast, large volume discharge of brake fluid.
3. Open bleeder screw one full turn to obtain an adequate flow of brake fluid.
4. After bleeding 118-237 ml. (4-8 oz.) of brake fluid through the brake hydraulic circuit, and maintaining air-free flow (no bubbles) is in the clear plastic hose (1) and jar (2), close the bleeder screw.
5. Install the bleeder screw dust cap.
6. Bleed the opposite front brake wheel circuit as necessary in the same manner until all air is removed from the brake hydraulic system.
7. If equipped with anti-lock brakes, and the hydraulic control unit needs to be bled, then rebleed the base brakes. Service and Repair.
8. Once all brakes are bled, check brake pedal travel. If pedal travel is excessive or has not improved, some air may still be trapped in the brake hydraulic system. Rebleed the brake system as necessary.
9. Test drive vehicle to make sure the brakes are operating properly and pedal feel is correct.
MANUAL BLEEDING METHOD
NOTE: To bleed the base brake system manually, an assistant's help is required.
NOTE: To make sure all air is bled from the ICU or junction block in a timely manner, it is recommended to raise the rear of the vehicle approximately 5° higher than the front or approximately 254-305 mm (10-12 inches) as measured at the rear bumper (1).
1. Raise and support vehicle placing rear of vehicle approximately 5° higher than the front or if measured at the rear bumper (1), approximately 10-12 inches above level. It will be necessary to add extra support stands under vehicle to support this angle.
NOTE: Use the following wheel circuit sequence for bleeding the brake hydraulic system to adequately remove all trapped air from the brake hydraulic system.
- Right rear wheel
- Left rear wheel
- Right front wheel
- Left front wheel
REAR BRAKES
1. If installed, remove the rubber dust caps from both bleeder screws on each caliper.
2. Start at the first wheel circuit that needs to be bled (See list in above note), attach a clear hose (3) to the inboard bleeder screw at that the brake caliper and feed the other end of hose into a clear jar (4)containing enough fresh brake fluid to submerge the end of the hose.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal three or four times, then hold it down before the bleeder screw is opened.
CAUTION: Open the bleeder screw at least one full turn when instructed. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as far as ten feet or more from the bleeder screw. If the bleeder screw is not opened sufficiently, fluid flow is restricted causing a slow, weak fluid discharge. This will NOT get all the air out. Therefore, it is essential to open the bleeder screw at least one full turn to allow a fast, large volume discharge of brake fluid.
4. While holding down the brake pedal, open the inboard bleeder screw (2) at least one full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal will drops all the way to the floor. Continue holding the pedal all the way down.
5. Once the brake pedal drops, close the bleeder screw. Release the pedal.
6. Repeat the previous three steps until all trapped air is removed from that wheel circuit (usually four or five times). This should pass a sufficient amount of fluid to expel all the trapped air from the brake hydraulic system. Be sure to monitor brake fluid level in master cylinder fluid reservoir making sure it stays at a proper level. This will ensure air does not reenter brake hydraulic system through master cylinder.
NOTE: Monitor the brake fluid level in the fluid reservoir periodically to make sure it does not go too low. This makes sure that air does not reenter the brake hydraulic system.
7. Remove the clear hose and install the bleeder screw dust cap.
8. Attach a clear hose (5) to the outboard bleeder screw (1) at the brake caliper and feed the other end of hose into a clear jar (4) containing enough fresh brake fluid to submerge the end of the hose.
9. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal three or four times, then hold it down before the bleeder screw is opened.
CAUTION: Open the bleeder screw at least one full turn when instructed. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as far as ten feet or more from the bleeder screw. If the bleeder screw is not opened sufficiently, fluid flow is restricted causing a slow, weak fluid discharge. This will NOT get all the air out. Therefore, it is essential to open the bleeder screw at least one full turn to allow a fast, large volume discharge of brake fluid.
10. While holding down the brake pedal, open the outboard bleeder screw (2) at least one full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal drops all the way to the floor. Continue holding the pedal all the way down.
11. Once the brake pedal drops, close the bleeder screw. Release the pedal.
12. Repeat the previous three steps until all trapped air is removed from that wheel circuit (usually four or five times). This passes a sufficient amount of fluid to expel all the trapped air from the brake hydraulic system. Be sure to monitor brake fluid level in master cylinder fluid reservoir making sure it stays at a proper level. This will ensure air does not reenter brake hydraulic system through master cylinder.
NOTE: Monitor the brake fluid level in the fluid reservoir periodically to make sure it does not go too low. This will ensure that air does not reenter the brake hydraulic system.
13. Remove the clear hose and install the bleeder screw dust cap.
14. Bleed the opposite rear brake wheel circuits as necessary in the same manner until all air is removed from the brake hydraulic system, then proceed to the front brakes.
FRONT BRAKES
1. If installed, remove the rubber dust cap from the bleeder screw on each front brake caliper.
2. Start at the first wheel circuit that needs to be bled (See list in above note), attach a clear hose (1) to the bleeder screw at that the brake caliper and feed the other end of hose into a clear jar (2) containing enough fresh brake fluid to submerge the end of the hose.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal three or four times and hold it down before the bleeder screw is opened.
CAUTION: Open the bleeder screw at least one full turn when instructed. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as far as ten feet or more from the bleeder screw. If the bleeder screw is not opened sufficiently, fluid flow is restricted causing a slow, weak fluid discharge. This will NOT get all the air out. Therefore, it is essential to open the bleeder screw at least one full turn to allow a fast, large volume discharge of brake fluid.
4. While holding down the brake pedal open the bleeder screw at least one full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal drops all the way to the floor. Continue holding the pedal all the way down.
5. Once the brake pedal drops, close the bleeder screw. Release the pedal.
6. Repeat the previous five steps until all trapped air is removed from that wheel circuit (usually four or five times). This passes a sufficient amount of fluid to expel all the trapped air from the brake hydraulic system. Be sure to monitor brake fluid level in master cylinder fluid reservoir making sure it stays at a proper level. This will ensure air does not reenter brake hydraulic system through master cylinder.
NOTE: Monitor the brake fluid level in the fluid reservoir periodically to make sure it does not go too low. This makes sure that air does not reenter the brake hydraulic system.
7. Install the bleeder screw dust cap.
8. Bleed the opposite front brake wheel circuit as necessary in the same manner until all air is removed from the brake hydraulic system.
9. If equipped with anti-lock brakes, and the hydraulic control unit needs to be bled, then rebleed the base brakes. Service and Repair.
10. Once all brakes are bled, check brake pedal travel. If pedal travel is excessive or has not improved, some air may still be trapped in the brake hydraulic system. Rebleed the brake system as necessary.
11. Test drive the vehicle to make sure the brakes are operating properly and pedal feel is correct.