GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 35555 Metal Mity Vac
    • J 43485 Power Steering Bleeder Adapter

Vacuum Bleeding

    Important: Check the clutch hose assembly for the correct routing. The clutch hose assembly (2) should be routed above the rubber boot for the steering column (3) and above the grommet for the hood release cables (4). If the clutch hose assembly is not routed correctly, the clutch hydraulic system will be very difficult or impossible to bleed. If the clutch hose assembly is not routed correctly, change the clutch hose assembly routing before bleeding the clutch hydraulic system.

  1. Verify that all the hydraulic lines are dry, secure and correctly routed.
  2. Clean dirt and grease from the brake reservoir cap in order to ensure that no foreign substances enter the system.
  3. Remove the brake reservoir cap.
  4. Important: Maintain the fluid in the brake reservoir at the MAX level with DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid. The MAX level marker can be found on the side of the brake reservoir that faces the engine, If the fluid in the brake reservoir is not at the MAX level, the portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system may not contain fluid. The portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system is located in the left, rear corner of the brake reservoir.

  5. Fill the entire brake reservoir to the MAX level using DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid.
  6. Important: DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid will deteriorate the rubber on the J 43485 , use a clean shop towel to wipe away all fluid after each use.

  7. Install the J 43485 and the J 35555 to the reservoir.
  8. Hold the J 43485 into position while applying 51-68 kPa (15-20 hg) of vacuum.
  9. Remove the adapter and refill the brake reservoir to the MAX level.
  10. Depress the clutch pedal slowly to the full depressed position.
  11. Let the clutch pedal return to the up stop position and hold for 5 seconds.
  12. Repeat steps 4-9 until all air is removed from the clutch system.
  13. Replace the cap on the brake reservoir.
  14. Important: Do not start the engine while the transmission is in gear, only while in the neutral position. This vehicle is equipped with a concentric actuator cylinder and may move if started in gear.

  15. Fully apply the PARK brake.
  16. Place the transmission into the neutral position, depress the clutch pedal, and start the engine.
  17. Pump the clutch pedal until firm.
  18. Important: The clutch and braking systems are integrated into one reservoir. The brake may be soft when first applying.

  19. Pump the brake pedal until firm.
  20. If needed, add additional DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid to fill the brake reservoir to the MAX level.
  21. Road test the vehicle to ensure proper operation.

Manual Bleeding

Notice: Do not reuse the fluid that has been bled from a system in order to fill the clutch master cylinder reservoir for the following reasons:

  1. The fluid may be aerated
  2. The fluid may be contaminated
  3. The fluid may contain too much moisture


    Object Number: 1792304  Size: SH

    Important: 

       • Check the clutch hose assembly for the correct routing. The clutch hose assembly (2) should be routed above the rubber boot for the steering column (3) and above the grommet for the hood release cables (4). If the clutch hose assembly is not routed correctly, the clutch hydraulic system will be very difficult or impossible to bleed. If the clutch hose assembly is not routed correctly, change the clutch hose assembly routing before bleeding the clutch hydraulic system.
       • Maintain the fluid in the brake reservoir at the MAX level with DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid. The MAX level marker can be found on the side of the brake reservoir that faces the engine, If the fluid in the brake reservoir is not at the MAX level, the portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system may not contain fluid. The portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system is located in the left, rear corner of the brake reservoir.

  1. Verify all clutch hydraulic lines and connectors are dry, secure and properly routed.
  2. Important: Maintain the fluid in the brake reservoir at the MAX level with DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid. The MAX level marker can be found on the side of the brake reservoir that faces the engine, If the fluid in the brake reservoir is not at the MAX level, the portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system may not contain fluid. The portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system is located in the left, rear corner of the brake reservoir.

  3. Clean dirt and grease from the cap in order to ensure that no foreign substances enter the system.
  4. Remove the brake reservoir cap and fill the entire brake reservoir to the MAX level.
  5. Depress the clutch pedal slowly to the full depressed position.
  6. Let the clutch pedal return to the up stop position and hold for 5 seconds.
  7. Check the brake reservoir to see if the portion of the brake reservoir that is connected to the clutch hydraulic system has the same fluid level as the rest of the brake reservoir. If the fluids are not the same, add DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid until the entire brake reservoir is at the MAX level.
  8. Repeat steps 3-5 until air is purged from the clutch system and the clutch pedal feels firm.
  9. Replace the cap on the brake reservoir.
  10. Important: Do not start the engine while the transmission is in gear, only while in the neutral position. This vehicle is equipped with a concentric actuator cylinder and may move if started in gear.

  11. Fully apply the PARK brake.
  12. Place the transmission into the neutral position, depress the clutch pedal, and start the engine.
  13. Pump the clutch pedal until firm.
  14. Important: The clutch and braking systems are integrated into one reservoir. The brake may be soft when first applying.

  15. Pump the brake pedal until firm.
  16. If needed, add additional DOT 3 hydraulic brake fluid to fill the brake reservoir to the MAX level.
  17. Road test the vehicle to ensure proper operation.