How to Bleed the Master Cylinder
An essential piece of equipment on passenger vehicles that needs regular tuneups is the braking system. The braking system of your car is operated by the master cylinder. A master cylinder is a device that controls the brake fluid in your brake lines. If one set of brakes, front or back, were to fail the master cylinder ensures that the other brakes would allow you to slow to a stop. Sometimes the master cylinder will get air bubbles and need to be bled in order to ensure the safety of the car's occupants. Any home mechanic and an assistant can bleed a master cylinder in a single afternoon.
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Instructions
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Locate the master brake cylinder underneath the hood of your car. It is white with a black cap and is located on the driver's side of the firewall. Unscrew the black cap and have your assistant pump the brakes of the car several times. Often this will work the air out of the master cylinder.
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Use the crescent wrenches to unscrew the brake line drain plugs from the sides of each wheel. Place catch pans underneath the drain holes.
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Fill the master cylinder up with the manufacturer-recommended brake fluid and then have your assistant pump the brakes again. Watch the master cylinder to see if any air bubbles come to the top of the brake fluid's surface. Do this two to three more times and then tighten the brake line drain plugs and cap the master cylinder.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid getting dirt in the master cylinder as the dirt could clog the brake lines and cause them to fail.
