Did you notice when you press on your car’s brake pedal, it takes a far longer time to stop? You may also be getting the squishy-feeling from the brakes. Well, all these are sure-shot signs of the air entering the brake line; this happens over time with use. This means you need to replace the old brake fluid and bleed the air out of the brake system.
Here is a helpful guide to bleed your car’s brakes properly.
Collect the tools and materials:
To perform the brake bleeding job, you want a break bleeder wrench. Along with this, purchase a can of the proper brake fluid, a clean glass jar, and a helping hand (your friend). Collect all of these before you begin the job.
Find and loosen the brake bleeder screw:
To find the bleeder screw, you need to go underneath your car. So, crawl down your vehicle along with a socket that fits well in the screw. Loosen it but be careful not to break it; otherwise, you will need to call a professional.
Pour the old fluid in the jar:
At the end of the bleeder screw, you need to put a small part of the flexible hose and at the other end, place a glass jar near the nozzle. This will allow the fluid to land out directly in the bottle.
Call your friend for help:
As said earlier, you need a friend to help you replace the old fluid and air out your car’s brake system. Ask your friend to guide you by saying ‘down’ while pressing down the brake pedal and say ‘up’ while releasing it. Repeat doing it a few times.
Let the fluid settle in the jar:
After your friend finishes his/her work, you can open the bleeder screw. The brake fluid will eject out with ease. Automatically, the air in your brake line, if present, will come out in the form of air bubbles. If you are using the hose-in-the-jar method, then you can see the air bubbles properly. Despite the method, you can come to know about it.
Tighten the bleeder screw:
Once the fluid gets into the jar, you should quickly secure the screw. Or else, your hard work will not produce a profit. The air will get sucked up into the brake lines when your friend will release the pedal. So, do not forget the tighten the bleeder screw.
Listen to your friend’s instructions:
As soon as you tighten the bleeder screw, listen to your friend’s instructions of saying ‘up’. This job does not get over here. Continue repeating the same procedure until all the air comes out with the fluid in the form of bubbles. You must stop when you do not find bubbles coming out with the fluid or the whole fluid is removed.
Fill in the new and fresh fluid:
Refill your master cylinder till it reaches the full line. If you overlook this step, then you need to repeat the bleeding procedure. And we are sure you might not like this type of extra work. Hence, open your master cylinder and fill the brake fluid after bleeding each brake.
Take a test drive:
Drive your car around your block once you complete the work. Further, check whether your brake pedal is still making you feel spongy when pressing the pedal. If it is still troubling you, then you must look into the master cylinder. Make sure that it is full, or else; you can try bleeding the brakes again.
Final thoughts:
The braking system is a key component of every car; the above-listed steps can be used to bleed every brake of your car with precision. If you’re unable to get through it, then you can check your owner’s manual. The brake bleeding task is not every month’s job; you have to do it every 2-3 years. It will make your drive smooth. Well, if you’re also looking for a luxurious ride, then some must-have accessories for your car will help you achieve your goal.
