How to Bleed the Brakes on a 2002 Trailblazer

The Chevrolet Trailblazer was introduced in 1998 as an upgraded version of the S-10 Blazer; 2002 was the first year the Trailblazer was separated from the S-10 Blazer. The 2002 Trailblazer featured a 4.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine. The 2002 Trailblazer had front disc and rear drum brakes on the base model, but the 2002 Trailblazer LTZ model had four-wheel disc brakes. The bleeder screws on the rear of the truck are going to be mounted on the rear caliper on the LTZ, or on the inboard side of the backing plate for rear drum brakes.

Instructions

1

Park the Trailblazer on a completely solid, level surface. Do not perform this project on any kind of an incline or slope, or on gravel or dirt. Open the hood of the Trailblazer. Check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir, and add fluid to the "Full" mark if necessary. Tighten the reservoir lid when you are done filling the reservoir.

2

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the Trailblazer front end up with a jack. Place jack stands beneath both front sub-frame members, just inward from the lower control arms. Set the truck down on the jack stands. Remove front wheel lug nuts, then remove the wheels from the car completely.

3

Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the back end of the Trailblazer one corner at a time, using the jack beneath the rear axle housing. Set jack stands beneath both ends of the axle housing, just inward from the rear wheels. Lower the truck onto the jack stands. Remove the rear wheel lug nuts, then the rear wheels completely from the SUV.

4

Spray all four bleeder screws with PB Blaster or similar penetrating spray. Do not spray any of the moving parts on the brakes such as pads, rotors, caliper or drums. Allow the penetrating spray to perform its function for no less than 5 to 10 minutes.

5

Place a drip pan beneath the passenger rear brake assembly, with the bulk of the pan toward the middle of the truck. Ask your assistant to sit in the driver's seat of the Trailblazer. Open the passenger rear bleeder screw on either the rear caliper, or inboard side of the backing plate. Use a line wrench or open-end wrench to turn the screw counterclockwise to open it.

6

Instruct your assistant to slowly push the brake pedal completely to the floor, and hold the pedal down. Close the bleeder screw by turning it clockwise until it is snug. Repeat this step two or three times to or until only brake fluid comes out of the bleeder screw, and not air.

7

Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir, and fill the reservoir to the "Full" mark. Tighten the reservoir lid.

8

Repeat Steps 5 through 7 to perform the preliminary cross-bleeding on all four brake assemblies. After bleeding the passenger rear, proceed to the driver's front caliper for bleeding. After the driver's front, proceed to the driver's rear for bleeding. Bleed the passenger front caliper last. Fill the reservoir after each bleeding point. Move the brake fluid pan to each point of the truck, to keep brake fluid from spilling on your driveway or working surface.

9

Ask your assistant to pump the brake pedal 10 to 15 times slowly. If the brake pedal does not stiffen after five or six pumps of the brakes, visually inspect the entire underside of the truck for a leak in the brake lines. Broken brake lines or fittings will need to be replaced prior to continuing. Instruct your assistant to hold his foot on the pedal once it stiffens and keep downward pressure on the pedal.

10

Place the drip pan back underneath the passenger rear brake assembly. Open the passenger rear bleeder screw with the wrench. Tell your assistant to push the pedal slowly to the floor and hold it down. If nothing but brake fluid exits the bleeder, tighten the bleeder snug with the wrench. No torque is needed on bleeder screws. If you hear an audible hissing sound, then there is still air in this line. Repeat this step until nothing but brake fluid exits the bleeder screw. Fill the brake fluid reservoir and reinsert the reservoir cap.

11

Repeat Steps 8 and 9 to complete the cross-bleeding of the entire Trailblazer. Use the same pattern of passenger rear, to driver's front, to driver's rear, to passenger front, in order to properly cross-bleed the brakes. Move the drip pan around with you to each point of the truck. Fill the brake fluid reservoir to the "Full" mark and install the cap. Shut the hood of the truck.

12

Install the rear tires and snug the lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the rear of the truck off of the jack stands one side at a time. Remove the jack stands from beneath the truck, and set each side on the ground. Install the front tire and snug the lug nuts with the tire iron. Raise the front of the truck off of the jack stands and remove the stands from beneath the truck. Set the truck on the ground.

13

Tighten the lug nuts on all four wheels immediately. Set the torque to 100 foot-pounds on a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench. Use the torque wrench and a 19 mm wheel nut socket to tighten the lug nuts.