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This is a full guide on how to bleed the brake system from start to finish! This process requires at least 2 people, but is ideally done with 3 or 4.

What does bleeding the system mean? (Bleeding Overview)

Bleeding is the process by which air is removed from the hydraulic fluid in the brake system. This ensures that the fluid in the lines is incompressible, and the maximum clamping force can be applied by the calipers.

What can I do? (Roles + Responsibilities)

Roles

Responsibilities

Bleeder

(ideally has experience bleeding the system)

  • loosens and tightens bleeder screw

  • holds tube and cup

  • watches tube for any bubbles in brake fluid

  • tells driver when to press brake pedal and when to let go

Driver

  • sits in car to press and hold brake pedal according to bleeder’s instruction

Filler

  • checks level of brake fluid in master cylinder reservoirs and fills as needed

Wiggler (Optional)

  • shakes brake lines to ensure any air in the lines makes its way to calipers

What should I do before I bleed the brakes? (Preparation + Supplies)

Before Bleeding:

  1. Gather all of your supplies:

    • Unused DOT4 Brake Fluid

    • Small Clean Funnel

    • 1/4 in Combination Wrench

    • ????? Inner Diameter Clear Tubing (About ???? Long)

    • Disposable Cup or Bottle

    • Duct Tape

  2. Open Reservoirs and Check Fluid Levels MAYBE ADD PICTURE HERE

    1. Reservoirs should be as full as possible without risking overflow.

    2. If fluid level is low, the Filler should use funnel to pour clean fluid into reservoir until level is sufficient.

    3. Recap reservoirs when done.

  3. Reservoirs should be closed unless actively being checked or filled, and MUST BE CLOSED whenever bleeder screws are going to be opened.

Where do I start? (Order to Bleed Calipers)

The calipers should be bled in order of farthest away from the master cylinder to closest. That means:

  1. Rear Right

  2. Rear Left

  3. Front Right

  4. Front Left

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How do I bleed the system? (Bleeding Process)

  1. Place the box-end of the wrench over the top bleeder screw on the caliper, making sure that there is enough space for the wrench to turn at least 1/4 turn counter-clockwise (AS PICTURED?????).

What should I do if brake fluid spills? (Spill Cleanup)

  1. Make anyone around the spill aware of it to avoid injury/ unecessary contact with fluid

  2. Cover spill with ????????WHATS THE STUFF IN SPILL KIT or kitty litter to absorb the fluid

  3. Once absorbed, sweep absorbent up and dispose of it in the trash.

What are the parts I need to know? (Brake System Overview)

More in-depth information on the brake system is available to team members here:/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/20348932 .

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17HScGZaNL3dZwbOdW3LKkhMJAjhBRaSHrQFaM9hVyzc/edit#gid=4882425