brake bleeding procedure

P

Philippe Javaux

I will try to bleed my brake system soon. I read in some manual that I
should do it with engine running, and other manual doesn't specify that
requirement. Anyone know the right procedure? That's for an 1999 Impreza TS.

Thank you.
 
No need to run the engine, but there is a sequence as to which wheel
cylinders in sequence.
 
Hi Philippe,
This is from Subaru's Impreza service manual. hope it helps.
500 mil of DOT4 was more than enough for my Forester. I bled until the
fluid run clean and then some more.
Cheers
leo

19.Brake Fluid
A: REPLACEMENT
1) Either jack up the vehicle and place a safety
stand under it, or lift up the vehicle.
2) Remove the both front and rear wheels.
3) Draw out the brake fluid from master cylinder
with syringe.
4) Refill the reservoir tank with recommended
brake fluid.
Recommended brake fluid:
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT3 or 4 brake fluid
NOTE:
Avoid mixing different brands of brake fluid to
prevent degrading the quality of the fluid.
Be careful not to allow dirt or dust to get into the
reservoir tank.
Bleeding sequence (1) -+ (2) -+ (3) -+ (4)
I I
(1) Front right
(2) Rear left
(3) Front left
(4) Rear right
(5) Secondary
(6) Primary
5) Install one end of a vinyl tube onto the air bleeder
and insert the other end of the tube into a container
to collect the brake fluid.
NOTE:
Cover the bleeder with waste cloth, when loosen-
ing it, to prevent brake fluid from being splashed
over surrounding parts.
During bleeding operation, keep the brake re-
serve tank filled with brake fluid to eliminate entry of
air.
Brake pedal operation must be very slow.
For convenience and safety, it is advisable to
have two men working.
The amount of brake fluid required is approxi-
mately 500 m 0 (1 6.9 US fl oz, 17.6 Imp fl 02) for to-
tal brake system.
6) Instruct your co-worker to depress the brake
pedal slowly two or three times and then hold it de-
pressed.
7) Loosen the bleeder screw approximately 1/4 turn
until a small amount of brake fluid drains into con-
tainer, and then quickly tighten screw.
8) Repeat steps 6) and 7) above until there are no
air bubbles in drained brake fluid and new fluid
flows through vinyl tube.
NOTE:
Add the brake fluid as necessary while performing
the air bleed operation, in order to prevent the tank
from running short of brake fluid.
9) After completing the bleeding operation, hold
brake pedal depressed and tighten the screw and
install the bleeder cap.
Tightening torque:
10) Bleed the air from each wheel cylinder by fol-
lowing the previous 5 steps.
11) Depress the brake pedal with a force of approx-
imately 294 N (30 kgf, 66 Ib) and hold it there for ap-
proximately 20 seconds. At this time check pedal to
see if it makes any unusual movement. Visually in-
spect bleeder screws and brake pipe joints to make
sure that there is no fluid leakage.
12) Install the wheels, and drive the vehicle for a
short distance between 2 to 3 km (1 to 2 miles) to
make sure that brakes are operating properly.
8 Nom (0.8 kgf-m, 5.8 ft-lb)
 
Philippe said:
should do it with engine running, and other manual doesn't specify that

Hi,

Only thing I can think of you get with the engine running is the brake
booster is active. But that's not normally necessary for bleeding
purposes, so I'd be inclined to leave the engine off and follow the
directions the others have given. Note especially the order of which
wheel first, etc., and if there are any special instructions regarding
ABS in the book (maybe that's why the "engine running"
recommendation--so you don't trip a warning light or something?)

And be careful on that first test run after you do the procedure, just
in case!

Rick
 
Just a comment: Some service centers say they bleed the brakes when we want
to flush the brake system with ALL new fluid. Bleeding means you replace
only that fluid near the caliper. ed
 

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