How to Bleed Brakes

It’s obvious that brakes are a vital component of your vehicle. But they are also a complex part of it, consisting of numerous parts that need maintenance and repair as time goes on. One of these that Monticello drivers ask about doing at home is bleeding brakes. This process consists of releasing air in your brake system, like cracking a bone. But is it possible to figure out how to bleed brakes by yourself? It’s a time-consuming process, so the service department at Twin Lakes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram covers exactly what goes on in this guide for how to bleed brakes.

How to Bleed Brakes By Yourself 

Before we start going over how to bleed brake lines by yourself, you’ll need to know what tools you should gather around Rensselaer or Monon. Here’s a list of them:

• Brake fluid (find the correct one in your owner’s manual)
• Box-end wrench,
• Fluid holder
• Tubing, 
• Assistant

How to Bleed Brake Lines: Step by Step 

Now that we’ve gathered our materials, let’s learn how to bleed brakes by yourself: Remember that you can always schedule service in Logansport if you’re worried that you aren’t doing it right!

• Jack up your car and remove all of your wheels 
• Find the four caliper-bleeding screws. Spray with penetrating oil if necessary and try to loosen them. Don’t do anything if the screw snaps – just contact a service center.
• Re-tighten three of the four screws. 
• Check the brake fluid level by popping the hood. You’ll need to leave the master cylinder cap loosened but still on top of the fluid reserve. 
• Start with the brake furthest away from the cylinder. Secure tubing over a bleeder screw and attach the other into a plastic receptacle. 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.
• Have your assistant pump the brake pedal (with the engine off) several times until there’s resistance on the pedal. Have them hold down the pedal while you open a bleeder screw. Fluid should be moving through the tube as the pedal gets closer to the ground. 
• You want to close the bleeder screw right before the pedal hits the floor of the car. Repeat this process around five times until you see no more air bubbles in the brake fluid. 
• Repeat this process with the other bleeder screws, making sure to tighten the ones you aren’t using. 
• Now, check out the master cylinder while your assistant applies the brakes and quickly lets go. If you see the fluid bubbling a lot, you’re not finished bleeding the brakes. But a little movement is ok.

And that’s how to bleed brakes by yourself! As you can see, it’s a lengthy process. If you’re not sure you’ll be able to do it, just look up some service specials or call our service department to find out how you can save yourself time and stress!

How to Bleed Brakes: Why to Bleed Brakes 

Now you know how to bleed brake lines, but do you know why to bleed brake lines? This long process helps with a symptom you’ve probably experienced, where a brake feels “soft”. This is because your brake system is absorbing air and water over time. Freeing trapped air makes your brakes have a firmer feel.

Come to Twin Lakes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for Brake Service

At Twin Lakes Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we want Monticello drivers to feel empowered to take care of their vehicles. That’s why we give you service tips and parts tips in addition to savings at our expert-run service center. Please contact us today to find out more about saving on brake repairs.