How to Bleed Brakes

Servicing your brakes could include a number of different parts, as your entire brake system consists of several different active systems. Normally, understanding how to bleed brakes is mandatory regardless of what you’re servicing within your brake system. We’ll show you how to bleed brakes by yourself to avoid trapped air in the brake lines. It sounds complicated, but it’s not as difficult as you think. Keep reading, and we’ll give you the most pertinent information on how to bleed brakes that all Brooklyn drivers should understand.

Why Is Knowing How to Bleed Brakes Important?

Bleeding brakes might sound like one of those monstrous jobs you take on that’s detailed and extremely difficult. However, it’s a normal task that falls under the routine maintenance category. Why is it important to know how to bleed brakes? If you don’t know how to bleed brake lines, as time goes on, the moisture resistance of brake fluid breaks down and begins to absorb water. In addition, the air slips into your brake system, leading your pedals to take on a soft or spongy feel. Bleeding your brakes and replacing the fluid will return the firmness to your brake pedal.

How to Bleed Brakes by Yourself

If you’re attempting to bleed your brakes at home, you’ll need the following materials:

• Brake fluid
• Box-end wrench
• Fluid-holder and tubing
• An assistant

After sourcing everything on the list, follow these steps to complete the job:

Step 1:

Refer to your owner’s manual to ensure you’re using the correct brake fluid. A large variety of different types of brake fluid are available, and it’s essential that you only use the right type on your vehicle. The owner’s manual should also tell you the suggested brake fluid flushing and replacing frequency.

Step 2:

After ensuring you’re on solid ground, remove your car’s wheels after using the jack to raise it.

Step 3:

Find the four caliper bleeding screws and loosen them. If they don’t immediately break free, spray them with penetrating oil, wait for 30 minutes, and try them again. If the screw strips or breaks, schedule service with us near Staten Island immediately.)

Step 4:

Assuming the screws are loose, tighten them once more. The brake bleeding process takes time, and it’s important not to bleed more than one at a time. As you bleed one, the others screws must be tight to avoid air entering the lines.

Step 5:

Pop your hood and check the fluid level on your master cylinder. The reservoir should be filled to the recommended level. Leave the master cylinder cap unscrewed while you’re bleeding with each brake. However, you’ll want to begin with the brake furthest from the master cylinder. Ensure your owner’s manual recommends this, but this is usually the case.

Step 6:

Secure the end of a piece of clear tubing (¼ inch in diameter) over the first bleeder screw. Place the other end of the tubing into a receptacle, like a plastic bottle. The tubing should be long enough to place the catch container above the bleeder screw’s height. This prevents air caught in the tube from moving back into the brake system. You can purchase a brake bleeding kit for this step if it’s easier.

Step 7:

This is where your assistant comes into play. Make sure your car’s engine is turned off, and have your assistant pump the brake pedal multiple times until they feel resistance building, pushing back against their foot. Instruct them to maintain pressure on the pedal. Meanwhile, open the bleeder screw slightly. Your assistant should maintain pressure as fluid moves through the tube, and the pedal begins dropping to the floor.

Step 8:

Have them signal you immediately after the pedal hits the floor. After they notify you, tighten the bleeder screw. Inspect the level in the master cylinder again – you may need to add more fluid.

Step 9:

Repeat the previous two steps on the same screw five times until the fluid is completely void of air bubbles.

Step 10:

Repeat steps 7, 8, and 9 on the other three screws correctly. Remember, start with the screw furthest from the master cylinder, moving to the one closest to it as you cycle through them.

Step 11:

Instruct your assistant to apply the brakes and quickly release them after completing all four. Watch the fluid in the master cylinder as they do this – if there’s a large number of bubbles, there’s still a significant amount of air in the lines. However, you’ve done the job correctly if you only see slight movement.

Step 12:

Ensure you’ve completely tightened each bleeder screw before replacing your wheels. Remember, you’ll need to bleed the brakes again, so don’t over-tighten them.

At Bay Ridge Mazda, We’ll Handle Your Brake Service

Does it feel like it’s time for brake service? Does the pedal feel close to hitting the floor when you press down? If so, it’s probably time for brake service. Drivers in the Queens area can swing by any time for walk-in service. If you’d like to avoid any waiting time, schedule your service online, and we’ll get you in and out in no time!