How to Bleed Brakes

Curious about how to bleed brakes? You’re probably familiar with oil checks and tires, but bleeding our brakes isn’t as often talked about as an essential service compared to even brake pads. Learn how to bleed brake lines below and how to bleed brakes by yourself. And if you’re looking for professional service for your Chevrolet vehicle, our service center has you covered!

How to Bleed Brakes By Yourself 

Why is it important to have a better understanding of how to bleed brake lines, and what do they do? Your brake lines play a vital role in your braking system. Moisture resistance in your brake fluid wears down over time as you’re driving your vehicle, and your brake fluid will begin to absorb water. Air can even get into the brake system, making the brake pedal feel soft or spongy when pressing down. Bleeding your brakes helps remove that trapped air for a firmer feel.

If you’re looking to learn how to bleed brakes, you’ll need brake fluid, a box-end wrench, a fluid holder and tubing, and an assistant to help you.

Step 1:

Check your owner’s manual for the correct brake fluid. There are different brake fluids, and you want to be using the one for your specific make and model. Your owner’s manual will also tell you what the replacement intervals are for brake fluid. 

Step 2: 

On solid and level ground, jack up your car and remove all of the tires.

Step 3: 

Find the four caliper bleeding screws and loosen them. If they don’t loosen immediately, don’t twist hard with your wrench. Spray the screw with penetrating oil and wait about 30 minutes before moving forward. Then, give it another go. If the screw strips or snaps, don’t go any further. Bring your car to a dedicated service center like ours.

Step 4: 

After your screws are loosened, tighten them up again. Bleeding your brakes is a slow process, and you need to bleed one brake at a time. The other three screws need to be tight to avoid air bubbles. 

Step 5: 

Make sure your car has the appropriate amount of fluid by popping up your hood and checking the master cylinder reservoir’s brake fluid level. Leave the master cylinder cap unscrewed but still resting on top of the reservoir as you’re bleeding the brakes. You’ll want to bleed the brake furthest from the master cylinder, but your vehicle may require a different order. Always follow your owner’s manual.

Step 6: 

Secure the end of a piece of clear tubing (about 1/4 inches in diameter) over the first bleeder screw. Put the other end of the tubing into a receptacle, like a plastic bottle. You can also purchase a cheap brake bleeding kit from any auto store or order one online for these items. The tubing needs to be long enough that you can place the catch container above the bleeder screw’s height. This way, any air caught in the tube won’t move back into the brake caliper. 

Step 7: 

You’ll need someone to help with this next step. Make sure your car engine is off, and ask your assistant to pump the brake pedal several times until they feel resistance pushing back against the pedal. Tell them to keep pressure on the pedal. While they’re keeping pressure, open the bleeder screw a bit. Fluid will move through the tube and the pedal will start dropping closer to the floor. Make sure your assistant continues to apply pressure. 

Step 8: 

Have your helper notify you immediately before the pedal reaches the floor. When they do, close the bleeder screw right away. Inspect the fluid level in the master fluid reservoir. You may need to add fresh fluid. 

Step 9: 

Repeat the previous two steps about five times at the same bleeder screw, or until the fluid stream no longer has any bubbles. 

Step 10: 

Repeat steps 7, 8, and 9 on the other three bleeder screws in the correct order. Start with the screw further away from the master cylinder and move to the one closest to it. 

Step 11: 

After you’ve finished bleeding your brakes, tell your helper to apply the brakes and to then quickly release the pedal. While they do that, watch the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid is bubbling significantly, there’s still air in the system and you’re not quite done. If the fluid is moving only slightly, you’ve bled the brakes fully!

Step 12: 

Before putting the wheels back on your car, tighten each of the bleeder screws. Don’t use all of your strength. Use enough pressure to make sure they’re secure. 

Find Quality Brake Service at Stingray Chevrolet 

Now you know how to bleed brake lines, but the process can take quite a while with a lot of back and forth. If you’re looking for brake service near Valrico, contact our service team today for more information. It’s easy to schedule an appointment online, and we offer plenty of service specials for Brandon drivers!