How to Bleed Brakes

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By nsuengineer06
User-Submitted Article

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(42 Ratings)

Disc Brake

If your brake pedal feels spongy, or you have to press it a long way to start the braking process in your car, it may be time to bleed your brakes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

You will have to remove all four tires during this process, but since there is an order involved, I find it best to do one at a time.
Step 2

Start with the passenger side rear tire. Remove the tire and gather your container, wrenches, and friend.
Step 3

Now, raise the hood and take the lid off the brake fluid reservoir. Make sure that it is full. Have your friend sit in the driver's seat and open the passenger door so you can communicate.
Step 4

Next, on the brake caliper, locate the bleed valve and find a wrench to fit. Tell your friend to apply steady pressure to the brake pedal and make them understand under no circumstances should they let off until you say so. Once you have established pressure on the line, slowly open the bleed valve until fluid starts coming out. Let the fluid run for 2-5 seconds and close the bleed valve.
Step 5

Now check the fluid level once again making sure that you top it off with new fluid.
Step 6

Continue this process for all four corners in this order:
Passenger Rear
Driver's Rear
Passenger Front
Driver's Front
Check your pedal for slack and repeat if necessary.
Step 7

Now you know how to bleed your brakes!