How to Solo Bleed Brakes

The brakes in your car or light truck should be bled each time the system is opened during a repair. Air in the system is compressible, and the brake fluid designed for use in the system is not. Air trapped in the hydraulic system of your brakes will cause the brakes to operate less efficiently and symptoms like a low, spongy brake pedal and increased brake pedal travel will occur. Typically, two people are required to effectively bleed air from the brake system, but it can be done by one person using the correct procedure.

Instructions

1

Ask your auto parts sales person for the approved bleeding sequence for your specific vehicle. Apply the parking brake and block the front wheels with wheel chocks. Raise and support the first wheel in the bleeding sequence with a floor jack and jack stand.

2

Fill the mason jar half full with clean brake fluid and punch a hole in the lid big enough for the vacuum line to pass through. Insert the vacuum line into the hole in the lid until it is submerged in the fluid and reaches the bottom of the jar.

3

Install the vacuum line onto the bleeder screw in the first caliper or wheel cylinder. Open the bleeder screw using an 8 mm, 10 mm, 3/8-inch or 7/16-inch wrench

4

Fill the master cylinder with clean brake fluid and replace the lid. Pump the brake pedal slowly several times to force air trapped in the system into the jar and draw fresh fluid into the system. Close the bleeder screw.

5

Check the fluid level in the master cylinder and add as needed. Repeat the process on the remaining wheels in the order of the bleeding sequence.