How to Bleed Brakes

​

What is Brake Bleeding?

While the name sounds intense, brake bleeding is a simple process aimed at optimizing your hydraulic brake system. The purpose of brake bleeding is the remove air bubbles that make their way into your line of brake fluid. These air bubbles can tamper with braking, making it more difficult to slow down or stop when you need to.

Air bubbles can make their way into your brakes in a few different ways. It could be the result of a fluid leak where air makes its way into your system, high temperatures that boil your brake fluid into vapor, corroded lines, or worn-out brake pads. This buildup of air will noticeably impact the performance of your brakes.

When you bleed your brakes, you allow that air to escape from the fluid line. That allows pressure to be transferred through the fluid more easily, which applies the brakes safely. The frequency of brake bleeds depends on your driving style and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Be sure to find out what your recommended brake bleed schedule is.

Step-by-Step Brake Bleed

You can perform your own brake bleed if you suspect air bubbles are in your brake fluid line. Be sure to have the right tools with you for this job: a wrench, a brake fluid container, vacuum pump, and fresh brake fluid for replacement. You may want to use special brake cleaner products while you’re there working on your brakes.

1. Park on a flat, dry surface, lift your car up with jacks and jack stands, and open your hood. Remove the wheels for easier access.
2. Find and uncap the master cylinder. Use suction from a turkey baster or similar item to remove the majority of the old brake fluid.
3. Add new brake fluid to the master cylinder (check your owner’s manual to see what type of fluid it requires).
4. Determine the correct order that your wheels need to be bled.
5. Locate the brake bleeder valve (a small screw with a hole in the center), which is typically located on each caliper, and connect a vacuum pump to form a seal.
6. Open the brake bleeder valve with your wrench and pump out the old fluid and air bubbles. Continue to add brake fluid to the master cylinder. Once the fluid coming out is cleaner looking and has no air bubbles, you’ve successfully bled your brake!
7. Repeat step six on each other wheel.
8. Fill the master cylinder to the fill line with brake fluid.
9. Return the wheels to your car and lower it.
10. Test your work. The brakes should feel firm rather than spongy.

Once you’re in the groove, you’ll be bleeding your brakes like a pro. Our team can also help you get the right tools you need for this at-home maintenance.