Base Brake Bleeding
BASE BRAKE BLEEDING
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 Mopar(R) Brake AND Clutch Fluid DOT 4 Motor Vehicle or equivalent from a fresh, tightly sealed container.
NOTE: For bleeding the antilock brake hydraulic system, Service and Repair
NOTE: Do not pump the brake pedal at any time while having a bleeder screw open during the bleeding process. This will only increase the amount of air in the system and make additional bleeding necessary.
NOTE: Do not allow the master cylinder reservoir to run out of brake fluid while bleeding the system. An empty reservoir will allow additional air into the brake system. Check the fluid level frequently and add fluid as needed.
NOTE: The following wheel circuit sequence for bleeding the brake hydraulic system should be used to ensure adequate removal of all trapped air from the brake hydraulic system.
- Right rear wheel
- Left rear wheel
- Right front wheel
- Left front wheel
NOTE: Pressure bleeding is highly recommended to bleed this brake system to ensure all air is removed from system. Manual bleeding may also be used, but additional time is needed to remove all air from system.
Although it is recommended that the base brake system be bled using the pressure method, 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.
NOTE: Before removing the master cylinder filler cap, wipe it clean to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from dropping into the master cylinder.
1. Remove filler cap from the top of fluid reservoir on master cylinder.
2. Install Adapter, Special Tool 6921, in the caps place on the reservoir.
3. Attach Bleeder Tank, Special Tool C-3496-B, or equivalent, to Adapter 6921. Pressurize the system following the pressure bleeder manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE: When bleeding the brakes it is necessary that both halves of the caliper assembly be bled individually. This procedure should be followed to ensure adequate bleeding.
4. If installed, remove rubber dust caps from both bleeder screws on each caliper.
5. Starting at the first wheel circuit that needs to be bled (See sequence in above note), attach a clear hose (3) to the inboard bleeder screw (2) at that 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.
6. Open inboard bleeder screw (2) at least one full turn or more to obtain an adequate flow of brake fluid.
7. After 4 to 8 ounces of brake fluid has been bled through the brake hydraulic circuit, and an air-free flow (no bubbles) is maintained in the clear plastic hose (3) and jar (4), close the bleeder screw (2).
8. Remove clear hose and install bleeder screw dust cap.
9. Attach a clear hose (5) to the outboard bleeder screw (1) at that same 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.
10. Open outboard bleeder screw (1) at least one full turn or more to obtain an adequate flow of brake fluid.
11. After 4 to 8 ounces of brake fluid has been bled through the brake hydraulic circuit, and an air-free flow (no bubbles) is maintained in the clear plastic hose (5) and jar (4), close the bleeder screw (1).
12. Remove clear hose and install bleeder screw dust cap.
13. Bleed remaining brake wheel circuits (See sequence in above note) as necessary in the same manner until all air is removed from the brake hydraulic system.
MANUAL BLEEDING METHOD
NOTE: Manual bleeding of air from the hydraulic brake system is not the preferred method. Manual bleeding may not ensure all air is adequately eliminated from the brake fluid.
In the event a pressure bleeder is not available, the hydraulic brake system can be manually bled.
NOTE: When manual bleeding, be sure to monitor the fluid level in the master cylinder so it stays at a proper level keeping air from re-entering the brake system through the master cylinder.
NOTE: Before removing the master cylinder filler cap, wipe it clean to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from dropping into the master cylinder.
1. Adjust brake fluid level to the FULL mark.
NOTE: When bleeding the brakes it is necessary that both halves of the caliper assembly be bled individually. This procedure should be followed to ensure adequate bleeding.
2. If installed, remove rubber dust caps from both bleeder screws on each caliper.
3. Starting 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 that 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.
4. 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.
5. While the pedal is being held down, open the inboard bleeder screw (2) at least one full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal will drop all the way to the floor. Continue to hold the pedal all the way down.
6. Once the brake pedal has dropped, close the bleeder screw. The pedal can then be released.
7. Repeat the above 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 brakes 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.
8. Remove clear hose and install bleeder screw dust cap.
9. Attach a clear hose (5) to the outboard bleeder screw (1) at that same 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.
10. 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.
11. While the pedal is being held down, open the outboard bleeder screw (2) at least one full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal will drop all the way to the floor. Continue to hold the pedal all the way down.
12. Once the brake pedal has dropped, close the bleeder screw. The pedal can then be released.
13. Repeat the above 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 brakes 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.
14. Remove clear hose and install bleeder screw dust cap.
15. Bleed the remaining brake wheel circuits (See sequence in above note) as necessary in the same manner until all air is removed from the brake hydraulic system.