Before I go on my hay hauling trip this weekend I want to bleed front brakes just to make sure there is no air bubbles. What type of brake fluid do I need to use and what is the procedure for bleeding?

 

DOT 3 Fluid. If you are going to bleed them by yourself, you will need: a jar or container to catch the brake fluid in, some hose (about 1&1/2 feet) that will fit on the bleeder nipple, a wrench that fits the bleeder nipple, and a bottle of brake fluid.

The guys at the part store can get a bleeder nipple and match the hose size.

Now, starting with the right (passengers) wheel (if you are only doing the front, but always the wheel farthest away from the master cylinder) place the jar/container on the ground inside of the wheel. Put the hose on the bleeder nipple and the other end into the jar/container (making sure that the hose end is sitting on the bottom of the jar/container). Loosen the bleeder nipple. Make sure you master cylinder reservior is full. Now get in the truck and push down on the brake (push slow not fast), pump the pedal about 10 times, then top off the master cylinder fluid and repeat. Tighten the bleeder nipple. and then do the other one.

EPA Disclaimer: Properly dispose of old brake fluid.

 

Any particular brand of DOT 3? Or is it all the same?

 

All DOT 3 meets the same spec's.

 

Wally world probably has DOT 3?

 

yeah, they got it. one thing plowhand didn't mention was that the jar should have some fluid in it to start with. this is so when you let up on the pedal that the system doens't suck air up through the bleeder. it will suck fluid and the air being expelled from the system will float to the top of the fluid in the jar.

another option is a mityvac vacuum pump, but they are anywhere from 30 to 40 dollars and i dont think they work better or sometimes even as good as the above mentioned method.

 

Thanks skittlejr, I did forget to mention that you need enough fluid in the jar to cover the end of the hose before starting. Good catch. Rep. Points sent. You know how it is, after doing something for so long you just do it without thinking about it.

 

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