Flushing Brake Hydraulic System
Caution: Use only SUPREME 11 or equivalent DOT 3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. Do not use fluid from an open container that may be contaminated
with water. Improper or contaminated fluid will result in damage to components
or loss of braking, with possible personal injury.
Caution: Do not overfill the brake fluid reservoir. Overfilling the brake fluid
reservoir may cause the brake fluid to overflow onto the engine exhaust components
during brake system service. The brake fluid is flammable and
may cause a fire and personal injury if the brake fluid contacts the engine
exhaust system components.
Pressure Flushing
Tools Required
• | J 29532 Diaphragm
Type Brake Bleeder |
• | J 35589 Compact
Brake Bleeder Adapter |
Important:
• | If evidence of contamination is present in the vehicle's brake
fluid, flush the entire brake system following one of the following procedures. |
• | Flush the system under the following conditions: |
• | If there is any doubt about the condition of the fluid in the
system |
• | If the fluid that is used contains the slightest trace of mineral
oil (from such things as engine oil, transmission fluid, etc.) |
• | After flushing the entire brake system, replace all rubber components. |
• | Replace the following components: |
• | The brake hose assemblies |
• | The master cylinder rubber parts |
• | The brake caliper and wheel cylinder boots and seals |
• | The brake solenoid valves |
• | Refer to the appropriate replacement procedures. |
• | After replacing all rubber components, re-flush the entire brake
system by performing one of the following procedures. |
Notice: Pressure Bleeding equipment can be used to perform the flush procedure.
The pressure bleeding equipment used for flushing must be of the diaphragm
type. It must a have a rubber diaphragm between the air supply and the brake
fluid to prevent air, moisture, and other contaminants from entering the hydraulic
system.
- Clean the brake fluid reservoir cover and the surrounding area.
- Remove the brake fluid reservoir cover.
- Remove any remaining brake fluid in the reservoir.
- Refill the brake fluid reservoir with clean DOT 3 brake
fluid to the proper level.
- Install the J 35589
to the brake fluid reservoir.
- Install the J 35589
to the pressure bleeding equipment.
- Adjust the pressure bleeding equipment to 35-70 kPa
(5-10 psi) and wait for approximately 30 seconds in order
to ensure there is no leakage.
- Adjust the pressure bleeding equipment to 205-240 kPa
(30-35 psi).
- After connecting the pressure
bleeding equipment and pressurizing the system, perform the following steps:
9.1. | Attach a clear plastic hose to the rearward bleeder valve on the
brake modulator. |
9.2. | Place the other end of the hose in a container in order to collect
draining brake fluid. Do not submerge the hose end into the fluid. |
9.3. | Slowly open the bleeder valve. Allow the brake fluid to flow clean
or until at least 118 ml (4 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
9.5. | Repeat the above
procedure for the forward bleeder valve until clean brake fluid flows or until
at least 118 ml (4 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
Tighten
The ABS brake modulator bleeder valves to 9 N·m (80 lb in).
- Complete the following procedure after connecting the pressure
bleeding equipment:
10.1. | Remove the traction control module bolt to bracket in order to
access the bleeder valves. |
10.2. | Attach a clear plastic hose to the right side bleeder valve on
the traction control module. |
10.3. | Place the other end of the hose in a container in order to collect
draining brake fluid. Do not submerge the hose end into the fluid. |
10.4. | Slowly open the bleeder valve. Allow the brake fluid to flow clean
or until at least 118 ml (4 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
10.6. | Repeat the above procedure for the left side bleeder valve until
clean brake fluid flows or until at least 118 ml (4 oz) of fluid
accumulates. |
Tighten
• | Tighten the traction control module bleeder valves to 9 N·m
(80 lb in). |
• | Tighten the traction control module bolt to bracket to 3 N·m
(27 lb in). |
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- The following list indicates the wheel position flush sequence:
Important: Ensure that the bleeder valves do not leak.
- Use the following procedure in order to flush the brakes:
13.1. | Attach the bleeder hose to the bleeder valve at each wheel. |
13.2. | Place the other end of the bleeder hose into a container in order
to collect the draining brake fluid. Do not submerge the hose end in fluid. |
13.3. | Slowly open the bleeder valve and allow the fluid to flow. |
13.4. | Close the valve when clean brake fluid begins to flow or at least
235 ml (8 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
Tighten
- Tighten the front caliper bleeder valves to 13 N·m
(115 lb in).
- Tighten the rear caliper bleeder valves to 7 N·m
(62 lb in).
- Tighten the rear wheel cylinder bleeder valves to 7 N·m
(62 lb in).
- Lower the vehicle.
- Remove the bleeder adapter.
- Replace all the rubber components listed under Flushing Procedure.
Refer to the appropriate On-Vehicle Service section.
- Repeat the flushing procedure one more time.
- Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir. Fill the reservoir
to the correct level if necessary.
- Install the brake fluid reservoir cap.
- Bleed the entire brake hydraulic system. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding
.
Manual Flushing
Important: Use a suitable container and/or shop rags in order to catch fluid and
prevent the fluid from contacting any painted surfaces.
- Clean the brake fluid reservoir cover and the surrounding area.
- Remove the brake fluid reservoir cover.
- Remove any remaining brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
- Refill the brake fluid reservoir with clean DOT 3 brake
fluid to the proper level.
- Install the brake fluid reservoir cover.
- Use the following procedure in order to flush the brake modulator:
6.1. | Attach a clear plastic bleeder hose to the rearward bleeder valve
on the brake modulator. |
6.2. | Place the other end of the hose in a container in order to collect
the draining brake fluid. Do not submerge the hose end in fluid. |
6.3. | Slowly open the rearward bleeder valve one half to one full turn. |
6.4. | Depress the brake pedal until the fluid begins to flow. |
6.5. | Close the valve and release the brake pedal. Repeat the above
steps until clean brake fluid flows or at least 118 ml (4 oz)
of fluid accumulates. |
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
6.6. | Repeat the procedure
for the forward bleeder valve until clean brake fluid flows or at least 118 ml
(4 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
Tighten
Tighten the ABS brake modulator bleeder valves to 9 N·m
(80 lb in).
- Perform the following steps in order to flush the traction control
module.
7.1. | Remove the traction control module bolt to bracket in order to
access the bleeder valves. |
7.2. | Attach a clear plastic bleeder hose to the right side bleeder
valve on the traction control module. |
7.3. | Place the other end of the hose in a container in order to collect
the draining brake fluid. Do not submerge the hose end in fluid. |
7.4. | Slowly open the bleeder valve one half to one full turn. |
7.5. | Depress the brake pedal until the fluid begins to flow. |
7.6. | Close the valve and release the brake pedal. Repeat the above
steps until clean brake fluid flows or at least 118 ml (4 oz)
of fluid accumulates. |
7.7. | Repeat the procedure for the left side bleeder valve until clean
brake fluid flows or at least 118 ml (4 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
Tighten
- Tighten the traction control module bleeder valves to 9 N·m
(80 lb in).
- Tighten the traction control module bolt to bracket to 3 N·m
(27 lb in).
- Inspect the brake fluid level in the following manner:
8.1. | Remove the brake fluid reservoir cover. |
8.2. | Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir. Fill the reservoir
to the correct level if necessary. |
8.3. | Replace the brake fluid reservoir cover. |
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- The following list indicates the wheel position flush sequence:
- Use the sequence shown above.
Important: Ensure that the bleeder valves do not leak.
- Use the following procedure in order to flush the brakes:
11.1. | Attach the bleeder hose to the bleeder valve at each wheel. |
11.2. | Place the other end of the bleeder hose into a container in order
to collect the draining brake fluid. Do not submerge the hose end in fluid. |
11.3. | Slowly open the bleeder valve and allow the fluid to flow. |
11.4. | Close the valve when clean brake fluid begins to flow or at least
235 ml (8 oz) of fluid accumulates. |
Tighten
• | Tighten the front caliper bleeder valves to 13 N·m
(115 lb in). |
• | Tighten the rear caliper bleeder valves to 7 N·m
(62 lb in). |
• | Tighten the rear wheel cylinder bleeder valves to 7 N·m
(62 lb in). |
- Lower the vehicle.
- Replace all of the following rubber components:
• | The brake hose assemblies |
• | The master cylinder rubber parts |
• | The brake caliper and wheel cylinder boots and seals |
• | The brake solenoid valves |
- Repeat this manual flushing procedure one more time.
- Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir. Fill the reservoir
to the correct level if necessary.
- Replace the brake fluid reservoir cap.
- Bleed the entire brake hydraulic system. Refer to
Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding
.