How to Bleed The Brakes on a 1998 Saturn

The Saturn S-series of vehicles first hit showrooms in 1991, with the release of the two-door SC and the four-door SL. In 1993, Saturn expanded its S-series lineup with the release of the SW, a station wagon. In 1998, the lineup remained the same as it was in 1993 -- SC, SL and SW -- and Saturn based all three vehicles on the same platform. Even the brake systems on the three vehicles were the same, meaning that all 1998 Saturns had the same brake bleeding procedure.

Instructions

1

Open the master cylinder reservoir and add DOT 3 brake fluid until the level reaches the "Max" line on the reservoir.

2

Loosen, but don't remove, the lug nuts on all four wheels, using a ratchet and socket.

3

Park the Saturn on a level surface and raise the rear of the vehicle from the ground, using a floor jack. Position jack stands under the rear control arms. Lower the rear of the Saturn onto the jack stands.

4

Raise the front of the Saturn, with a floor jack, and place jack stands under the vehicle's subframe. Lower the Saturn onto the jack stands. Pull all four wheels off the vehicle.

5

Position yourself under the right-rear wheel and locate the bleeder valve -- the 1/4-inch metal valve -- on top of the brake caliper or the drum backing plate. Press a 1/4-inch rubber hose onto the bleeder valve and insert the other end of the hose into a small, clear container. Add fresh DOT 3 brake fluid to the container with until the end of the hose is submerged.

6

Instruct an assistant to press and release the brake pedal until it is firm -- about 10 to 15 pumps -- and then hold the pedal down. Open the bleeder valve by turning it counterclockwise about a half-turn with a combination wrench. Watch the end of the hose in the clear container and watch for air bubbles coming from the end of the hose. The brake pedal will drop to the floorboard. Once the bubbles stop, close the bleeder valve with a combination wrench. Instruct your assistant to slowly release the pedal.

7

Repeat Step 6 until no bubbles come from the end of the hose. Refill the master cylinder.

8

Repeat Steps 5 through 7 to bleed the remaining three wheels, in the following order: left-front, left-rear and right-front -- refill the master cylinder with DOT 3 fluid after bleeding each wheel.

9

Set the wheels back on the vehicle's hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the front of the vehicle from the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the front of the Saturn to the ground. Raise the rear of the Saturn, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the rear of the Saturn to the ground.

10

Tighten the lug nuts on all four wheels to 103 foot-pounds, in a crisscrossing pattern, using a torque wrench and socket.