Manual Bleeding
CAUTIONIn the following steps, use a suitable container and/or shop cloths to catch fluid and prevent it from contacting any painted surfaces.
1. Clean brake fluid reservoir cover and surrounding area.
2. Remove brake fluid reservoir cover. Inspect brake fluid level in reservoir and fill to the correct level if necessary.
4. Install brake fluid reservoir cover.
Brake Bleeding:
5. Prime Antilock Brake System(ABS) brake modulator/master cylinder assembly.
a. Attach bleeder hose to rearward bleeder valve and submerge opposite hose end in clean container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
b. Slowly open rearward bleeder valve.
c. Depress brake pedal and hold until fluid begins to flow.
d. Close valve and release brake pedal.
e. Repeat Steps 5B through 5D until no air bubbles are present.
f. Relocate the bleeder hose to the forward brake modulator bleeder valve and repeat Step 5.
6. Tighten ABS brake modulator bleeder valves to 9 Nm (80 inch lbs.)
CAUTION
Once fluid is seen to flow from both modulator bleeder valves, the ABS brake modulator master cylinder assembly is sufficiently full of fluid. However, it may not be completely purged of air. At this point move to the wheel brakes and bleed them. This ensures that the lowest points in the system are completely free of air and then the ABS brake modulator master cylinder assembly can be purged of any remaining air.
7. Remove brake fluid reservoir cover. Inspect brake fluid level in reservoir and fill to the correct level if necessary.
8. Install brake fluid reservoir cover.
9. Remove brake fluid reservoir cover and inspect brake fluid level in reservoir and fill to the correct level if necessary.
10. Install brake fluid reservoir cover.
11. Raise vehicle and suitably support.
Bleed sequence:
^ Right rear.
^ Left front.
^ Left rear.
^ Right front.
12. Proceed as follows to bleed wheel brakes in sequence shown above.
Brake Bleeding:
A. Attach a clear bleeder hose to bleeder valve at the wheel and submerge opposite hose in clean container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
B. Open bleeder valve.
C. Slowly depress brake pedal.
D. Close valve and slowly release brake pedal.
E. Wait 5 seconds.
F. Repeat Step 12 until the brake pedal feels firm at half travel and no air bubbles are observed in the bleeder hose.
NOTE
To assist in freeing entrapped air, tap lightly on the caliper or braking plate to dislodge any trapped air bubbles.
13. Perform sequence in Step 12 on right rear wheel brake.
14. Repeat Step 12 on left front wheel brake.
15. Repeat Step 12 on left rear wheel brake.
16. Repeat Step 12 on right front wheel brake.
17. Tighten bleeder valves:
^ Front Caliper to 13 Nm (115 inch lbs.).
^ Rear Caliper to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
^ Rear Wheel Cylinder to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
NOTE
Be sure the bleeder valves do not leak.
18. Lower vehicle.
19. Remove brake fluid reservoir cover. Inspect brake fluid level in reservoir and fill to the correct level if necessary.
20. Install brake fluid reservoir cover.
21. Bleed the ABS brake modulator/master cylinder assembly.
a. Attach a clear plastic bleeder hose to rearward bleeder valve on the ABS brake modulator. Submerge opposite hose end in clean container partially filled with clean brake fluid.
b. Depress brake pedal with moderate force.
c. Slowly open rearward bleeder valve and allow fluid to flow.
d. Close valve and release brake pedal.
e. Wait five seconds.
f. Repeat Step 21 until no air bubbles are observed in the bleeder hose.
g. Relocate the bleeder hose on the forward brake modulator bleeder valve and repeat Step 21.
22. Remove brake fluid reservoir cover. Inspect brake fluid level in reservoir and fill to the correct level if necessary.
23. Install brake fluid reservoir cover.
24. Turn the ignition switch to the "RUN" position, turn engine off. Apply brake pedal with moderate force and hold. Note pedal travel and feel.
^ If pedal feels firm and constant and pedal travel is not excessive, start the engine. With the engine running, recheck the pedal travel. If it's still firm and constant and pedal travel is not excessive, go to Step 25.
^ If pedal feels soft or has excessive travel either initially or after engine start, the following procedure may be used. With the scan tool, Release then Apply each motor 2 to 3 times and cycle each solenoid 5 to 10 times. When finished, be sure to Apply the front and rear motors to ensure the pistons are in the upmost position. DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. If a scan tool is not available, remove foot from brake pedal, start the engine and allow it to run for at least 10 seconds to initialize the ABS. DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. After 10 seconds, turn the ignition off. This initialization procedure MUST be repeated 5 times to ensure any trapped air has been dislodged. Now repeat bleeding procedure starting at Step 1.
25. Road test the vehicle.
NOTE
Make several normal (non-ABS) stops from a moderate speed to ensure proper brake system function.