Hydraulic brake systems are essential in preventing accidents and reducing the time it takes to stop a vehicle. If your brake system isn’t functioning as it should, your car may not be able to stop quickly enough in an emergency. In this article, we will show you how to flush a hydraulic brake system.
Overview
If your car has a hydraulic brake system, you may need to flush the system. Flushing the system prevents mineral build-up and wear on the components, which can lead to brake failure. Here’s how to do it:
1) Park your car with the parking brake engaged.
2) Turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
3) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
4) Remove the front wheel.
5) Raise and support the vehicle using a jack or a lift.
6) Open the bleed valve (1), located on top of the master cylinder (2). Bleed hydraulic fluid until it stops flowing (3). Close the bleed valve (1).
7)Remove and discard any old hydraulic fluid from around fittings, hoses, and valves. Do not flush oil or other lubricants down a drain!}
8) Connect one end of a hose (4) to one valve spout (5), and connect the other end of the hose to a suitable container. Pump fluid through hose (4) until it comes out of valve spout (5). Repeat steps 8-10 for each other valve sp
Requirements
FLUSHING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM
Hydraulic brake systems use pressurized fluid to stop a vehicle. When the system gets disturbed, such as when the fluid is low or when the pressure release valve opens, the fluid can escape and cause a brake failure. To prevent this from happening, you should regularly flush your hydraulic brake system.
Here are the steps:
1) Park your vehicle in a safe location.
2) Remove the wheel covers andWARNING: Do not touch the brake lines or hoses!
3) Detach the brake line from the drum (see image below).
4) If your car has an ABS system, disconnect the ABS sensor connector.
5) Open the bleed screw on top of the reservoir (see image below). Bleed all of the air out of reservoir by turning screw in one direction until it stops, then turn screw in other direction to stop. Do not over-bleed!
6) Connect one end of brake line to bleed screw and attach other end to drum. Turn bleed screw in desired direction until hose is fully connected (see images below). Be sure to hold onto hose while
Procedures
If your car experiences a sudden loss of braking power, it’s likely that the hydraulic brake system is malfunctioning. To diagnose and repair the problem, follow these steps:
1. Park your car in a safe location and turn off the ignition.
2. Remove the wheel nuts and bolts that hold the brake drums to the wheel hub.
3. Carefully remove the brake drum by prying it off the wheel hub with a flathead screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the lining or sealant on the drum.
4. Inspect the hydraulic lines for any signs of leakage or damage. If there is evidence of leakage, replace the entire hydraulic line assembly. If there are no signs of leakage, test the hydraulics by applying pressure to one of the brake pads. If pressure is applied and released quickly, the brakes are working properly; if pressure is applied and held, one or more brake pads may be defective and must be replaced.
5. Replace any defective brake pads using a standard automotive replacement tool. Be sure to install new wheel nut and bolt assemblies when replacing brake drums or hydraulic lines.
Results
If your hydraulic brake system fails, you may be able to fix it yourself. Follow these steps to flush and reset your brake system:
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Open the bleed screw on the reservoir (usually located on the front of the vehicle).
4. Turn on the ignition and let the brakes run until they lock up.
5. Close bleed screw.
6. Raise reservoir to full height by unscrewing the top bolt (it should have a long handle).
7. Pour about 1 gallon of clean fluid into reservoir, filling it to the top of the raised ribbed section (do not fill lower section).
8. Replace top bolt and screw it into place. Do not over-tighten bolts – just snug them up.
9. Repeat steps 2-7 for the other side of reservoir.
10. Drive vehicle around for a few minutes to circulate fluid through system, then park and remove wheel again.