Brake Bleeding: Service and Repair
Brake System Bleeding
Master Cylinder
WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not allow the brake master cylinder reservoir to run dry during the bleeding operation. Keep the brake master cylinder reservoir filled with clean, specified brake fluid. Never reuse the brake fluid that has been drained from the hydraulic system or damage to the brake system components may occur.
CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.
NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system has been disconnected for repair or new installation, air may get into the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after it has been correctly connected. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.
NOTE: When the brake master cylinder has been replaced or the system has been emptied, or partially emptied, it should be primed to prevent air from entering the system.
1. Disconnect the brake tubes from the master cylinder.
2. Install short brake tubes with the ends submerged in the brake master cylinder reservoir and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with clean, specified brake fluid.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal until clear fluid flows from both brake tubes, without air bubbles.
4. Remove the short brake tubes and install the brake outlet tubes.
5. Bleed each brake tube at the brake master cylinder as follows:
1 Have an assistant pump the brake pedal at least 2 times and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
2 Loosen the rearmost brake tube fitting until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the brake tube fitting.
3 Repeat this operation until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
4 Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary. Repeat the bleeding operation at the front brake tube.
5 Tighten the brake tube fittings to 18 Nm (13 lb-ft).
6. Bleed the brake system.
Brake Caliper
NOTE: It is not necessary to do a complete brake system bleed if only the brake caliper was disconnected or installed new.
1. Remove the bleeder screw cap and place a box-end wrench on the disc brake caliper bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain hose to the disc brake caliper bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the hose in a container partially filled with clean, specified brake fluid.
2. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal at least 2 times and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
3. Loosen the disc brake caliper bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the disc brake caliper bleeder screw.
^ Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
^ Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
4. Tighten the disc brake caliper bleeder screw and install the bleeder screw cap.
^ Tighten to 16 Nm (12 lb-ft).
^ Apply brakes several times to verify correct brake operation.
ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU)
WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not allow the brake master cylinder reservoir to run dry during the bleeding operation. Keep the brake master cylinder reservoir filled with clean, specified brake fluid. Never reuse the brake fluid that has been drained from the hydraulic system or damage to the brake system components may occur.
CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.
NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system has been disconnected for repair or new installation, air may get into the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after it has been correctly connected. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.
NOTE: This procedure must be carried out if the ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU) has been installed new.
NOTE: One conventional pressure bleed cycle consists of advancing the brake pedal to its depressed position, opening the disc brake caliper bleeder screw, allowing fluid to be released into the waste container, closing the disc brake caliper bleeder screw and releasing the brake pedal.
NOTE: Carrying out the diagnostic program routine drives entrapped air from the otherwise inaccessible lower section of the ABS valve into the upper sections (accessible by bleeding the brakes). Subsequent bleeding removes the air from the system.
NOTE: Add clean, specified brake fluid as necessary throughout the procedure.
1. Clean all dirt from and remove the brake master cylinder filler cap and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with clean, specified brake fluid.
2. Remove the bleeder screw cap and place a box-end wrench on the RH rear bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain hose to the RH rear bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the hose in a container partially filled with clean, specified brake fluid.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal at least 3 times and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Loosen the RH rear bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the RH rear bleeder screw.
^ Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
^ Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
5. Tighten the RH rear bleeder screw and install the bleeder screw cap.
^ Tighten to 16 Nm (12 lb-ft).
6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for the LH rear, RH front and LH front bleeder screws in this order.
7. NOTE: Go to the HELP menu in the scan tool.
Connect the scan tool to the vehicle data link connector (DLC) under the dash and follow the scan tool instructions.
8. Repeat the conventional bleed procedure as outlined in Steps 1 through 6.
9. If the brake pedal feels spongy, repeat the scan tool service bleed procedure.
^ Apply brakes several times to verify correct brake operation.
Manual Bleeding Method
WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not allow the brake master cylinder reservoir to run dry during the bleeding operation. Keep the brake master cylinder reservoir filled with clean, specified brake fluid. Never reuse the brake fluid that has been drained from the hydraulic system. Damage to the brake system components may occur.
CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.
NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system has been disconnected for repair or replacement, air can enter the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after the repair is finished or after the new component is installed. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.
1. Clean all dirt from and remove the brake master cylinder filler cap and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with clean, specified brake fluid.
2. Remove the bleeder screw cap and place a box-end wrench on the RH rear bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain hose to the RH rear bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the hose in a container partially filled with clean, specified brake fluid.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal at least 3 times and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Loosen the RH rear bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the RH rear bleeder screw.
^ Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
^ Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
5. Tighten the RH rear bleeder screw and install the bleeder screw cap.
^ Tighten to 16 Nm (12 lb-ft).
6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for the LH rear, RH front and LH front bleeder screws in this order.
^ Apply brakes several times to verify correct brake operation.
Pressure Bleeding Method
WARNING: Do not use any fluid other than clean brake fluid meeting manufacturer's specification. Additionally, do not use brake fluid that has been previously drained. Following these instructions will help prevent system contamination, brake component damage and the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION seek medical advice. In the USA or Canada on Ford/Motorcraft products call: 1-800-959-3673. For additional information, consult the product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if available. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not allow the brake master cylinder reservoir to run dry during the bleeding operation. Keep the brake master cylinder reservoir filled with clean, specified brake fluid. Never reuse the brake fluid that has been drained from the hydraulic system. Damage to the brake system components may occur.
CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted and plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.
NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system has been disconnected for repair or replacement, air can enter the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after the repair is finished or after the new component is installed. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.
1. Clean all dirt from and remove the brake master cylinder filler cap and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with clean, specified brake fluid.
2. NOTE: Master cylinder pressure bleeder adapter tools are available from various manufacturers of pressure bleeding equipment. Follow the instructions of the equipment manufacturer when installing the adapter.
Install the bleeder adapter to the brake master cylinder reservoir and attach the bleeder tank hose to the fitting on the adapter.
3. NOTE: Bleed the longest line first. Make sure the bleeder tank contains enough clean, specified brake fluid to complete the bleeding operation.
Remove the bleeder screw cap and place a box-end wrench on the RH rear bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain hose to the RH rear bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the hose in a container partially filled with clean, specified brake fluid.
4. Open the valve on the bleeder tank.
5. Loosen the RH rear bleeder screw. Leave open until clear, bubble-free brake fluid flows, then tighten the RH rear bleeder screw and remove the rubber hose and install the bleeder screw cap.
^ Tighten to 16 Nm (12 lb-ft).
6. Continue bleeding the system, going in order from the LH rear bleeder screw to the RH front disc brake caliper bleeder screw ending with the LH front disc brake caliper bleeder screw.
7. Close the bleeder tank valve. Remove the tank hose from the adapter and remove the adapter from the brake fluid reservoir.
^ Apply brakes several times to verify correct brake operation.