How do I Bleed a 1985 Ford Brake System?

1985 Ford vehicles use a mixture of disc and drum brakes in the brake system. The system uses hydraulics to transfer force from the brake pedal into the various brakes and calipers in the wheel wells, creating the stopping power. When air or moisture gets into the line, you must bleed the system. Bleeding the system also occurs when doing a fluid flush with the master cylinder. Bleeding the brake system takes about an hour, if done properly.

Instructions

1

Raise the vehicle, one wheel at a time, providing each with support. Place a jack stand under the axle to secure the wheel, and remove the tire lug nuts with a lug wrench. Remove the tire, and set it to the side. Repeat the process for all of the tires, so that all of them are removed, and jack stands are located under each wheel axle.

2

Open all four bleed screws on each wheel. Front disc bleed screws are located on the side of the caliper, facing the engine. Rear drum bleed screws are on the back of the drum, facing the engine, in front of the axle. Have your assistant fully depress and hold the brake pedal, while you close the four screws.

3

Remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir. Add DOT-3 brake fluid, until the reservoir is full. While bleeding the brakes, monitor the reservoir to be sure it never drops below half full.

4

Loosen the bleed screw on the rear/passenger tire. The screw will be located on the backside of the drum, near the axle. Fill a clear plastic bottle with DOT-3 brake fluid. Drape the end of the rubber tubing into the fluid, and place the other end over the bleed screw. Always start with the passenger/rear side, as it is the furthest from the brake reservoir. You will work your way closer to the reservoir with each tire, protecting the system from air sneaking in during the process.

5

Have the assistant press the brake pedal firmly to the floor, and hold it there. Loosen the bleed screw, until you see fluid and bubbles coming out of the end of the tubing. Once the flow stops (a few seconds, at most), quickly tighten the screw. Have the assistant release pressure on the pedal.

6

Repeat Step 4, until only fluid is coming out of the bleed screw without any air bubbles. Repeat Step 4 an additional three times to verify you bled all the air out of that line. Once the air is bled out of the line, remove the tubing, and firmly tighten the bleed screw.

7

Repeat steps four and five for the driver's side rear brake, followed by the passenger's side front brake and then the driver's side front brake. The bleed screws for the front brakes are pointed upwards on the back of the caliper. Top off the brake fluid, as necessary, during the process.

8

Reinstall all the tires and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle, one wheel at a time, to the ground, removing the jack stands as you do. Tighten the lug nuts to factory specifications, and test the brakes with a slow driving brake test (while going slowly, quickly apply the brakes). You should feel no more looseness in the brake pedal. If any further looseness exists, troubleshoot the braking system for further errors or damage.