How to Bleed Brakes

Brake service is an essential part of properly maintaining your vehicle so it keeps running in top condition on the Dalton roads. Common brake services include inspecting the brake lines, brake pads, and disc brakes, as well as replacing any parts that have worn out. One of the lesser-known brake services is called “bleeding your brakes,” and it’s something you can do from home! If you’ve come across this term but don’t know exactly what it means, Welborn Chevrolet of Rome is here to help.

In short, when you bleed your brakes, you let out any excess air or fluid that’s become trapped in your brake system over time. This tightens up the brake system and makes it as efficient and effective as possible when you press down on the brake pedal. The service team at Welborn Chevrolet of Rome has all the details on how to bleed brake lines in the guide below!

Why is Bleeding the Brakes Important?

Your brake system is powered by brake fluid, which has a high level of moisture resistance so it doesn’t let any unwanted air or water into the braking system. However, as you drive around Rockmart, your brake fluid’s moisture resistance will start to wear out, so it will start absorbing water and air into the brake system. When there’s too much excess air or water inside the braking system, you’ll feel a “soft” or “spongy” sensation when you press down on the brake pedal, which in turn means that your brakes will be less effective. Bleeding your brakes lets out the unwanted air and water, and firms up the brake pedal.

How to Bleed Brakes By Yourself

If you want to bleed your brakes from home, you’ll need a few key materials: brake fluid, a box-end wrench, a fluid holder and tubing, and an assistant to help you. Once you’ve gathered these materials, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Make sure you have the correct brake fluid – your owner’s manual will tell you which kind you should be using.
2. Jack up your car and remove the wheels, making sure that it’s on solid and level ground.
3. Find and loosen the four caliper braking screws using the box-end wrench. They should loosen right away, but if they don’t, spray them with penetrating oil and wait 30 minutes. If the screws don’t loosen, don’t twist hard with the wrench – the screw could snap, in which case you’ll have to contact our service center right away so we can help.
4. Slowly tighten the screws again, one by one.
5. Open up your car’s hood and check the master cylinder reservoir’s brake fluid level, leaving the cap unscrewed but still resting on top of the reservoir.
6. In general, you should start by bleeding the brake furthest from the master cylinder – however, your owner’s manual may tell you to perform the bleeding process in a different order.
7. Secure the end of a piece of clear tubing – around ¼ inch in diameter – over the first bleeder screw. Then, put the other end of the tubing into a receptacle like a plastic bottle.
8. This is where it’s important to have an assistant. Ask your assistant to pump the brake pedal several times (with the engine off), until they feel resistance pushing back against the pedal. Make sure they’re keeping pressure on the pedal, and open the bleeder screw a bit. You’ll see fluid start to move through the tube and the pedal will start dropping closer to the floor.
9. Have your assistant notify you right before the brake pedal reaches the floor. As soon as they tell you, close the bleeder screw immediately and inspect the fluid level in the master fluid reservoir. If it’s dropped below the appropriate level, add more brake fluid.
10. Repeat the previous two steps about five times at the same bleeder screw, or until the fluid stream no longer has any bubbles.
11. Repeat the above steps on the other three bleeder screws, starting with the screw further away from the master cylinder and ending with the one closest to it.
12. Ask your helper to apply the brakes once you’re done bleeding them, and keep an eye on the master cylinder reservoir. If you see the fluid bubble significantly, then there’s still air trapped in the system and you need to repeat the bleeding process until there’s no bubbling anymore.
13. Re-tighten each of the bleeder screws. You’re all set!

Get Brake Service at Welborn Chevrolet of Rome!

Now that we’ve detailed how to bleed your brake lines, you might be interested in more service tips and tricks so you can keep your car in the best condition possible on the Adairsville roads! You can also get more information on all things related to your brakes on our dedicated service page. Feel free to contact our service center with any questions, or for more information about the services we offer at Welborn Chevrolet of Rome.