Properly Bleed the Brakes on Your Car with the Right Tools

Bleeding the brakes on your car is the process of removing all air from the hydraulic braking system. The easiest way to accomplish this is with an assistant to give you a hand. You will need an ample supply of new brake fluid, a wrench to loosen and tighten the bleeder screws, a piece of clear plastic hose to fit over the bleeder screws, a clear plastic container with a small amount of clean brake fluid, rags, a work light, jack and some rags. Always wear eye protection when bleeding brakes.

If the brake lines have been disconnected at the master cylinder, or the level of brake fluid was low, allowing air in the system, you will most likely need to bleed to the brakes at all four wheels. If you had disconnected a brake line only at one wheel, only that caliper or wheel cylinder would need to be bled. If you are in doubt just go ahead and bleed all four wheels.

On disc brakes you can usually turn the steering wheel all the way to one direction to access the bleeder screw on one side, then all the way in the other direction to access the other side. On drum brakes the bleeder screw goes through the backing plate into the wheel cylinder, and you will need to get under the car to access them. It may be necessary to raise the vehicle to access the bleeder screws. If necessary, use jack stands to secure the vehicle while you are underneath it.

With the ignition key off, pump the brake pedal several times putting plenty of pressure to the pedal. This will remove any vacuum that has been left in the power booster. Remove the cover from the master cylinder, fill both reservoirs with new brake fluid, and put the cover back on the master cylinder. You will need to check the fluid level often during the course of bleeding the brakes. You do not want to allow the fluid level to drop low enough to allow air into the system. Generally, I begin at the right rear wheel, and loosen the bleeder screw slightly and tighten it back up so that it can be loosened easily.

Place one end of the hose over the bleeder screw and the other and in the clear plastic container with brake fluid in it. Have your assistant pump the brake pedal several times to build up pressure in the system, and then hold the pedal down firmly. While the pedal is in the down position, slowly open the bleeder screw watching for air bubbles to rise from the clear plastic container containing new brake fluid. When the flow of brake fluid stops, close the bleeder screw and have your assistant pump the brakes up again. Repeat these last steps until all the air is out.

Be sure to check the brake fluid in the master cylinder frequently. Next, move on to the left front wheel repeating the process. Then move on to the left rear wheel and them the right front wheel, repeating the process for each. I would recommend topping off the master cylinder with brake fluid after completing each wheel, and when you are done.

Finally, check to make sure that the brakes work properly. The brake pedal should feel solid, with no sponginess when you push on it. If you do not have a solid pedal repeat the whole process over. Do not operate your vehicle if you are in doubt of the brakes operating properly.