Caution: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Caution in the Preface section.
Notice: Refer to Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Notice in the Preface section.
Notice: Refer to Adding Fluid to the Brake System Notice in the Preface section.
- Place a clean shop cloth beneath the brake master cylinder to prevent
brake fluid spills.
- With the ignition OFF and the brakes cool, apply the brakes 3-5 times,
or until the brake pedal becomes firm, in order to deplete the brake booster
power reserve.
- If you have performed a brake master cylinder bench bleeding on this
vehicle, or if you disconnected the brake pipes from the master cylinder, you
must perform the following steps:
3.1. | Ensure that the brake master cylinder reservoir is full to the maximum-fill
level; if necessary add Delco Supreme 11®, GM P/N 12377967
(Canadian P/N 992667), or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid
from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Clean the outside of the reservoir
on and around the reservoir cap prior to removing the cap and diaphragm,
if cap removal is necessary. |
3.2. | With the rear brake pipe installed securely to the master cylinder,
loosen and separate the front brake pipe from the front port of the brake master
cylinder. |
3.3. | Allow a small amount of brake fluid to gravity bleed from the open port
of the master cylinder. |
3.4. | Reconnect the brake pipe to the master cylinder port and tighten securely. |
3.5. | Have an assistant slowly depress the brake pedal fully and maintain
steady pressure on the pedal. |
3.6. | Loosen the same brake pipe to purge air from the open port of the master
cylinder. |
3.7. | Tighten the brake pipe, then have the assistant slowly release the brake
pedal. |
3.8. | Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 3.3-3.7 until
all air is purged from the same port of the master cylinder. |
3.9. | With the front brake pipe installed securely to the master cylinder,
(after all air has been purged from the front port of the master cylinder),
loosen and separate the rear brake pipe from the master cylinder, then repeat
steps 3.3-3.8. |
3.10. | After completing the final master cylinder port bleeding procedure,
ensure that both of the brake pipe-to-master cylinder fittings are properly
tightened. |
- Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with Delco Supreme 11®,
GM P/N 12377967 (Canadian P/N 992667), or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Ensure
that the brake master cylinder reservoir remains at least half-full during this
bleeding procedure; add fluid as needed to maintain the proper level.
Clean the outside of the reservoir on and around the reservoir cap prior to
removing the cap and diaphragm, when cap removal is necessary.
- Install a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT REAR wheel hydraulic
circuit bleeder valve, then install a transparent hose over the end of the
bleeder valve.
- Submerge the open end of the transparent hose into a transparent container
partially filled with Delco Supreme 11®, GM P/N 12377967
(Canadian P/N 992667), or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid
from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Have an assistant slowly depress the brake pedal fully and maintain
pedal position.
- Loosen the bleeder valve to purge air from the wheel hydraulic circuit.
- Tighten the bleeder valve, then have the assistant slowly release the
brake pedal.
- Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 7-9 until all
air is purged from the same wheel hydraulic circuit.
- With the right rear wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened
securely, (after all air has been purged from the right rear hydraulic circuit),
install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT REAR wheel hydraulic circuit
bleeder valve, install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder
valve, then repeat steps 6-10.
- With the left rear wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely,
(after all air has been purged from the left rear hydraulic circuit), install
a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT FRONT wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder
valve, install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat
steps 6-10.
- With the right front wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened
securely, (after all air has been purged from the right front hydraulic circuit),
install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT FRONT wheel hydraulic circuit
bleeder valve, install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder
valve, then repeat steps 6-10.
- After completing the final wheel hydraulic circuit bleeding procedure,
ensure that each of the 4 wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valves are
properly tightened.
- Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-fill level with
Delco Supreme 11®, GM P/N 12377967 (Canadian P/N 992667),
or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Slowly depress and release the brake pedal. Observe the feel of the
brake pedal.
- If the brake pedal feels spongy, repeat the bleeding procedure again.
If the brake pedal still feels spongy after repeating the bleeding procedure, perform
the following steps:
17.1. | Inspect the brake system for external leaks. Refer to . |
17.2. | Pressure bleed the hydraulic brake system in order to purge any air
that may still be trapped in the system. |
- Turn the ignition key ON, with the engine OFF; check to see if the brake
system warning lamp remains illuminated.
- If the brake system warning lamp remains illuminated, DO NOT allow the
vehicle to be driven until it is diagnosed and repaired. Refer to .