2002 Explorer Brake Problem
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
How much detail are you looking for? Are you familiar with bleeding brakes and you asking just curious what order to bleed, or how to flush fluid through the ABS system?
While I don't have the sequence in front of me (I'm at work, service manuals are at home), the "proper way" would include flushing the old fluid and connecting a professional scan tool to the ABS computer. Many of us don't have the ability to do that, but similar results can be achieved by flushing what you can, getting the air out of the system, then finding a sandy or gravel area to engage the ABS a few times to get fresh fluid circulating through the ABS pump. You don't want the valves in the pump to corrode due to old, moist fluid. For the little extra time it takes to flush the system, it's well worth it if it's been a couple of years since the system was last flushed.
-Rod
While I don't have the sequence in front of me (I'm at work, service manuals are at home), the "proper way" would include flushing the old fluid and connecting a professional scan tool to the ABS computer. Many of us don't have the ability to do that, but similar results can be achieved by flushing what you can, getting the air out of the system, then finding a sandy or gravel area to engage the ABS a few times to get fresh fluid circulating through the ABS pump. You don't want the valves in the pump to corrode due to old, moist fluid. For the little extra time it takes to flush the system, it's well worth it if it's been a couple of years since the system was last flushed.
-Rod
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Yes, you can use a vacuum pump to one-person bleed the brakes. The procedure from the service manual, including the order, is pasted below.
1. Clean all dirt from and remove the brake master cylinder filler cap and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with the specified brake fluid.
2. Note: Disc brake is shown, drum brake is similar.
Place a box end wrench on the RH rear bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain tube to the RH rear bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the tube in a container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Note:
Disc brake is shown, drum brake is similar.
Loosen the RH rear bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the RH rear bleeder screw.
Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
5. Continue bleeding the system, going in order from the LH rear bleeder screw to the RH front bleeder screw, ending with the LH front bleeder screw.
1. Clean all dirt from and remove the brake master cylinder filler cap and fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with the specified brake fluid.
2. Note: Disc brake is shown, drum brake is similar.
Place a box end wrench on the RH rear bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain tube to the RH rear bleeder screw and submerge the free end of the tube in a container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
3. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Note:
Disc brake is shown, drum brake is similar.
Loosen the RH rear bleeder screw until a stream of brake fluid comes out. While the assistant maintains pressure on the brake pedal, tighten the RH rear bleeder screw.
Repeat until clear, bubble-free fluid comes out.
Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
5. Continue bleeding the system, going in order from the LH rear bleeder screw to the RH front bleeder screw, ending with the LH front bleeder screw.
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