How to Bleed Brake Lines at Home

Generally speaking, brake service and repair encompasses a variety of smaller jobs that help maintain the overall brake system and keep everything brake-related running smoothly and safely on your Lewisburg faring vehicle. Brake bleeding is one such job. Keep reading to learn more about what brake bleeding is, how to bleed brakes by yourself, and more about how to bleed brake lines. Also, be sure to connect with us online if you have any questions about what you read here!

NOTE: Repair at Home vs. Professional Service

When considering the option of repairing a component of your vehicle at home vs. using a professional service, it’s important to take into consideration that a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer service center like ours is fully equipped with specialized tools to make jobs like this a safe and quick breeze. Sometimes spending a small amount of extra money to have something professionally done is the right way to go! If you prefer to go it alone, continue reading for our helpful tips on how to bleed brakes by yourself:

Why is Bleeding the Brakes Important? 

Brake bleeding may sound like a fairly serious undertaking, but truthfully it’s a relatively simple and important part of caring for your vehicle’s brakes. Over time and use, the moisture resistance of your vehicle’s brake fluid will wane, causing water to get into the brake lines. Air can also leak into the brake system, causing your brakes to feel sort of “soft” upon application. Bleeding the brakes helps to remove trapped air, giving your brakes a firmer feel and safer performance.

How to Bleed Brakes By Yourself 

You’ll need: Brake Fluid, Box-End Wrench, Fluid Holder, Tubing, an Assistant.

Check the owner’s manual for the correct brake fluid type.

Verify box-end wrench size against the brake bleeding valve.

Verify tubing size matches brake bleeding valve.

Step 1:

On level and solid ground, jack up your vehicle and remove all of the wheels.

Step 2: 

Next, find the four caliper bleeding screws and loosen them. (If they don’t loosen immediately, don’t twist hard with the wrench. Instead, spray the screw with penetrating oil and wait about 30 minutes. Then, give it another try. If the screw strips or snaps, don’t go any further — bring your car to our service center right away.)

Step 3: 

After the screws are loosened, tighten them again. It’s important to remember that bleeding your brakes is a slow process and you need to bleed one brake at a time; the other three screws need to be tight to avoid air bubbles. 

Step 4: 

Pop the hood and check the fluid level in the brake master cylinder. Make sure your car has the appropriate amount of fluid. While you’re bleeding the brakes, leave the master cylinder cap unscrewed but still resting on top of the reservoir. To start, you’ll want to bleed the brake furthest from the master cylinder, but your vehicle may require a different order. You can check your owner’s manual or ask a technician for guidance. 

Step 5: 

Secure the end of a piece of clear tubing (about 1/4 inches in diameter) over the first bleeder screw. Put the other end of the tubing into a receptacle of some sort, such as a plastic bottle. You can also purchase a cheap brake bleeding kit from any auto store — or order one online — that’ll have these items. In any case, the tubing needs to be long enough that you can place the catch container above the bleeder screw’s height. This way, any air caught in the tube won’t move back into the brake caliper. 

Step 6: 

You’ll need an assistant for this next step. Make sure the car engine is off, and ask your assistant to pump the brake pedal several times until they feel resistance pushing back against the pedal. Instruct them to keep pressure on the pedal. Meanwhile, open the bleeder screw a bit. Fluid will move through the tube and the pedal will start dropping closer to the floor. Make sure your assistant continues to apply pressure. 

Step 7: 

Have your helper notify you immediately before the pedal reaches the floor. When they do, close the bleeder screw right away. Then, inspect the fluid level in the master fluid reservoir. You may need to add fresh fluid. 

Step 8: 

Repeat the previous two steps about five times at the same bleeder screw, or until the fluid stream no longer has any bubbles. 

Step 9: 

Then, repeat steps 7, 8, and 9 on the other three bleeder screws in the correct order — starting with the screw further away from the master cylinder and moving to the one closest to it. 

Step 10: 

After you’ve finished bleeding your brakes, instruct your helper to apply the brakes, then quickly release the pedal. While they do that, watch the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid is bubbling significantly, there’s still air in the system and you’re not quite done. However, if the fluid is moving only slightly, you’ve bled the brakes fully. 

Step 11: 

Before putting the wheels back on your car, tighten each of the bleeder screws. Again, don’t use all of your strength — just apply enough pressure to make sure they’re secure. 

Get Brake Service at Sharp Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM!

There you have it! You no longer have to wonder how to bleed brakes by yourself – now you know! If you find that after your home repair your car, truck, or SUV’s brake pedal feels spongy, you may want to connect with a Service Professional at Sharp Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, your trusted local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer dealership. We’re just a short drive from Columbia and we’re ready to get you safely back on the road in a snap! Check our rotating cycle of Service Specials before you stop by for extra savings at the service counter!