Base Brake System
OVERVIEWThe base brake system can be bled with or without a pressure bleeder. Refer to the appropriate method below.
PRESSURE BLEEDING
Before removing the master cylinder cover, wipe it clean to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from dropping into the master cylinder.
CAUTION: Use Bleeder Tank Special Tool C-3496-B, or equivalent, with Fluid Reservoir Pressure Bleeding Adapter Special Tool 6643 to pressurize the brake system for bleeding.
Follow pressure bleeder manufacturer's instructions, for use of pressure bleeding equipment.
When bleeding the brake system. Some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream. As much as ten feet from the bleeder screw. Therefore, it is essential to have a fast flow of a large volume of brake fluid when bleeding the brakes to ensure all the air gets out.
PRESSURE BLEEDING FRONT BRAKES
When bleeding the front brakes it is necessary that both halves of the caliper assembly be bled individually. The procedure for bleeding the front caliper is described below, this procedure should be followed to ensure that the caliper assembly is adequately bled.
1. Attach a clear hose onto bleeder screw located on the top of the inboard half of the front caliper assembly. Put open end of clear hose into a clear container partially filled with fresh clean brake fluid.
CAUTION: Just cracking bleeder screw often restricts fluid flow. This will result in a slow and weak fluid discharge, and will NOT get all the air out of the hydraulic system.
2. Open bleeder screw on inboard half of the front caliper assembly at least ONE FULL TURN or more.
3. Bleed 4 to 8 ounces of brake fluid through inboard half of front caliper assembly being bled.
When an air-free flow is maintained in clear plastic hose with no bubbles present in container, a good and complete brake bleed is indicated.
4. Close bleeder screw, and remove hose. Torque inboard bleeder screw to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.).
5. Attach clear hose on bleeder screw located on the top of the outboard half of front caliper assembly being bled. Put open end of hose into a clear container partially filled with fresh clean brake fluid.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 above on outboard half of the caliper assembly. Then close the bleeder screw on the outboard caliper.
7. Remove hose from bleeder screw, and torque the bleeder screw to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.).
8. Again attach clear hose to bleeder screw located on the top of inboard half of front caliper assembly being bled. Put open end of hose into a clear container partially filled with fresh clean brake fluid.
9. Again repeat steps 2 and 3 above on the inboard half of the caliper assembly. Then close the bleeder screw on the outboard caliper.
10. Remove hose from bleeder screw, and torque the bleeder screw to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.).
PRESSURE BLEEDING REAR BRAKES
1. Attach a clear hose onto the bleeder screw located on the top of the caliper assembly. Put open end of hose into a clear container partially filled with fresh clean brake fluid.
CAUTION: Just cracking the bleeder screw often restricts fluid flow, and a slow, weak fluid discharge will NOT get all the air out.
2. Open the bleeder screw on the caliper assembly at least ONE FULL TURN or more.
3. After 4 to 8 ounces of fluid has been bled through the brake system. And an air-free flow is maintained in the clear plastic hose and no bubbles are present in the container, this will indicate a good bleed.
4. Close the bleeder screw, and remove hose. Torque the bleeder screw to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.).
5. Attach the clear hose on the bleeder screw of the next caliper assembly to be bled, and put open end of hose in container.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 above on the caliper assembly. Then close the caliper bleeder screw.
7. Remove hose from bleeder screw, and torque bleeder screw to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.).
8. Test drive vehicle to be sure brakes are operating correctly and that pedal is solid.
BRAKE BLEEDING WITHOUT A PRESSURE BLEEDER
NOTE: Manual bleeding of air from the hydraulic brake system on the Viper is not the preferred method. Manual bleeding may not ensure all air is adequately eliminated from the hydraulic brake fluid.
In the event a pressure bleeder is not available the hydraulic brake system can be manually bled. Use the procedures and steps listed below to ensure a good and complete bleeding of all air from the brakes hydraulic fluid can be obtained using a manual bleeding procedure.
If the brake hydraulic system on the Viper is required to be manually bled. Follow the specific bleeding sequence for the front and rear calipers as described in Bleeding Front Brakes and Bleeding Rear Brakes, listed above. Then follow the procedure listed below for the manual pressurizing and bleeding of the brakes hydraulic system.
1. Pump the brake pedal three or four times and hold it down before the bleeder screw is opened.
2. Then open the bleeder screw at least 1 full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal will drop all the way to the floor.
3. Release the brake pedal only after the bleeder screw is closed.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3, four or five times, at each bleeder screw. This should pass a sufficient amount of fluid to expel all the trapped air from the brake system. Be sure to monitor the fluid level in the master cylinder, so it stays at a proper level so air will not re- enter the brake system through the master cylinder.
5. Test drive vehicle to be sure brakes are operating correctly and that pedal is solid.