Bleeding the brake system

After each repair, which required disconnection of at least one brake hose, it is necessary to bleed the given circuit of the brake system. When repairing a wider range, you must bleed the brakes of both front wheels, and the rear ones.

Be careful when handling brake fluid! It is poisonous and corrosive to paintwork. If a brake bleeding device is not available, then the procedure described below should be adopted.

■ Fill the brake fluid reservoir in the engine compartment to the maximum level, marked with the inscription. The fluid level should be monitored throughout the bleeding operation.

■ Depending on this, which circuit will be vented, lift the front or rear of the car and remove the wheels. If the entire system is to be vented, it is necessary to lift the front and rear of the car at the same time.

■ Slide a hose approx 50 Cm. When bleeding the entire system, start with the bleed at the rear wheel.

■ Insert the other end of the air vent into a transparent vessel, partially filled with fresh brake fluid.

■ Open the air vent with a spanner half a turn.

■ With the help of another person, press the brake pedal slowly several times. Do this for as long, until the fluid flowing out of the tube is bubble free.

■ Then keep the brake pedal depressed and tighten the breather.

■ Pull off the venting pipe.

Repeat this operation on the other rear wheel, then on the front wheels. The liquid pumped out into the vessel cannot be reused. If the system is to be bled after a repair on the master cylinder, it is recommended to blow out the brake lines, in order to empty them completely. Then fill the tank with fluid and bleed the system, this time starting with one of the front wheels. This removes any air remaining in the master cylinder as quickly as possible.

In a station wagon, before bleeding air from the system, loosen the spring bracket and disconnect it.