How to Bleed the Brakes on a 1991 Nissan 300ZX

The Nissan 300ZX's history dates way back to 1970, when Datsun -- now Nissan -- released the 240Z. Until the 1984 release of the 300ZX, Datsun and Nissan introduced two other Z-cars, the 260Z and the 280Z. In 1984, the 300ZX came about and it lasted through 1996. The 1991 300ZX came standard with a 222-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 and had an optional turbocharged 3.0-liter engine that produced 300 horsepower. The disc brake system in the 1991 300ZX had a hydraulic fluid that carried the pressure created by the master cylinder to the brake calipers. When air gets in the hydraulic fluid, it can cause a soft-feeling brake pedal or even poor braking. Bleeding the 1991 300ZX's brakes will eliminate the air in the lines.

Instructions

1

Open the 300ZX's master cylinder reservoir and add DOT 3 brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir until the fluid level reaches the "Max" line on the reservoir.

2

Wedge wheel chocks in front of the 300ZX's front wheels. Raise the rear of the vehicle, using a floor jack, and position jack stands under the vehicle's frame rails. Lower the 300ZX onto the jack stands.

3

Crawl under the vehicle and locate the bleeder valve -- the 1/4-inch metal fitting -- on top of the left-rear caliper. Press a 1/4-inch rubber hose on the bleeder valve and insert the free end in a small, clear container.

4

Fill the small, clean container with about two inches of DOT 3 brake fluid -- enough to submerge the free end of the hose.

5

Instruct your assistant to press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm -- 10 to 15 pumps -- then hold the pedal down. Open the bleeder valve by turning it about one turn with a combination wrench. Watch the end of the hose that's submerged in the brake fluid and see if bubbles appear when you open the valve.

6

Close the bleeder valve, with a combination wrench, and instruct your assistant to release the brake pedal.

7

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until no air bubbles come from the hose.

8

Top off the master cylinder reservoir with DOT 3 brake fluid and repeat Steps 3 through 7 on the right-rear caliper.

9

Raise the 300ZX from the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the Nissan to the ground.

10

Wedge wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Nissan. Raise the front of the 300ZX off the ground, using a floor jack, and position jack stands under the 300ZX's frame rails. Lower the Nissan onto the jack stands.

11

Repeat Steps 3 through 7 on the front calipers -- starting with the right-front caliper, then bleeding the left-front caliper. Top off the master cylinder with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid between bleeding calipers.

12

Raise the 300ZX from the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

13

Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and fill it to about the midway point between the "Min" and "Max" lines on the master cylinder reservoir.