FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Component Bleeding

Component Bleeding

Special Tool(s):




Material:





Master Cylinder

WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.

WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Do not allow the brake master cylinder to run dry during the bleeding operation. Master cylinder may be damaged if operated without fluid, resulting in degraded braking performance. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.

NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system is disconnected for repair or installation of new components, air can enter the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after it is correctly connected. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.

NOTE: When a new brake master cylinder is installed, or the system is emptied or partially emptied, it should be primed to prevent air from entering the system.

1. Disconnect the brake tubes.





2. Install short brake tubes onto the primary and secondary ports with the ends submerged in the brake master cylinder reservoir.





3. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with clean, specified brake fluid.
4. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal until clear fluid flows from the brake tubes, without air bubbles.
5. Remove the short brake tubes and install the master cylinder brake tubes.
^ Tighten to 17 Nm (13 lb-ft).
6. Bleed each brake tube at the brake master cylinder as follows:
1 Have an assistant pump the brake pedal, and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
2 Loosen the rear-most brake tube fittings until brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the brake tube fitting.
3 Repeat this operation until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
4 Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary. Repeat the bleeding operation at the front brake tube.

Front Brake Caliper

WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.

WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Do not allow the brake master cylinder to run dry during the bleeding operation. Master cylinder may be damaged if operated without fluid, resulting in degraded braking performance. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.

NOTE: It is not necessary to do a complete brake system bleed if only the brake caliper was disconnected or installed new.

1. Remove the brake caliper bleeder screw cap and place a box-end wrench on the bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain hose to the bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the hose in a container partially filled with clean, specified brake fluid.





2. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal at least 2 times and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
3. Loosen the bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the bleeder screw.
^ Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
^ Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
4. Tighten the bleeder screw to 8 Nm (71 lb-inch), remove the rubber hose and install the bleeder screw cap.

Rear Brake Caliper

WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.

WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Do not allow the brake master cylinder to run dry during the bleeding operation. Master cylinder may be damaged if operated without fluid, resulting in degraded braking performance. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.

NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system is disconnected for repair or installation of new components, air can get into the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after it is correctly connected. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.

NOTE: Due to the complexity of the fluid path within the rear integral parking brake calipers, it may be necessary to follow this procedure when new calipers are installed.

1. NOTE: This procedure is necessary only when installing a new rear brake caliper. To bleed the brake system, refer to Brake System Bleeding.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Remove the 2 brake caliper guide pin bolts and position the brake caliper aside.





3. Remove the outer brake pad.





4. NOTE: Place a shop towel between the caliper and the brake disc.

Install the brake caliper using the 2 guide pin bolts.
^ Tighten to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft).





5. Slowly apply the brake pedal to extend the brake caliper piston outward.
6. Remove the 2 guide pin bolts and position the brake caliper aside.





7. Remove the brake caliper bleeder screw cap and place a box-end wrench on the bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain hose to the bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the hose in a container partially filled with clean, specified brake fluid.





8. Loosen the brake caliper bleeder screw.
9. Using the special tool, fully retract the brake caliper piston and tighten the bleeder screw to 8 Nm (71 lb-inch).





10. Repeat Steps 4 through 9 until clear, bubble free fluid comes out.
^ Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
^ Remove the rubber hose and install the bleeder screw cap.
11. Remove the 2 guide pin bolts and the shop towel.
12. Install the outer brake pad.





13. Position the brake caliper and install the 2 guide pin bolts.
^ Tighten to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft).