DIY Step-by-Step Guide for Bleeding Brakes
Bleeding your brakes is essential for the proper functioning of your car, as it gets rid of trapped air bubbles in your brake system. This can cause brakes to become spongy, making it harder for you to stop. This is why it’s so important to do this process every few months.
In this post, we’ll show you how to bleed your brakes safely and easily with a step-by-step guide. We’ll be discussing the tools you’ll need, the different types of brake bleeding methods, and the steps you have to take for each type. It’s a great way to save some money on auto repairs and get your brakes working as they should. So keep reading to learn the basics of brake bleeding — it’s easier than it sounds!
Tools Needed for Bleeding Brakes
When it comes to bleeding your brakes, it is important to have the right tools on hand in order to do the job properly and safely. You’ll need the following items:
- Wrench or socket set
- Automotive jack and jack stands
- Wheel chocks
- Brake fluid
- Vacuum pump
- 3/8 inch steel tubing
- Clean container for catching old fluid
- Flashlight or headlamp (for checking bleeder screws)
- Rags for cleaning up spills
Preparing the Vehicle for Bleeding
Once you are certain that you have gathered all of the necessary tools, you can begin preparing your vehicle for bleeding. First, use wheel chocks to prevent the wheels from moving and open the hood of the vehicle. You’ll then need to make sure you safely jack the vehicle up and secure it on jack stands. Now locate the master cylinder and find the brake bleeder valves. It is important to note that each wheel requires its own brake bleeder valve and brake fluid.
Bleeding the Brakes
Once your car is securely in place and you find all the brake bleeder valves’ locations, it is time to begin bleeding your brakes. Start with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder and open its bleeder valve with the wrench or vacuum pump provided in step one. Once opened, a steady stream of brake fluid will release into a container placed beneath it. Hold down the brake pedal firmly to ensure that air bubbles are completely purged from the system and close the valve when no more bubbles come through after several pumps of pressure. Repeat this process with each remaining wheel until you bleed all of your brakes accordingly.
Final Steps
After bleeding all your brakes, shut off any open bleeder valves and fill up the master cylinder with fresh brake fluid using a funnel. Next, lower your vehicle back onto level ground, start it up, and check for any leaks or fluid loss before taking it out for a test drive around town. If all has gone according to plan, your brakes should now function normally.
Conclusion
With this DIY step-by-step guide for bleeding brakes, you can now confidently say that you know the basic steps for this important task. Remember, ensuring proper lubrication will maintain your brakes and break pads by minimizing mechanical wear. So get out there and start bleeding your brakes — you (and your wallet) won’t regret it.