Bleeding Brakes

CAUTION: Brake fluid is extremely damaging to paint. If fluid should accidentally touch painted surface, immediately wipe fluid from paint and clean painted surface.

NOTE: For vehicle equipped with ABS, make sure that ignition switch turns OFF.

Be sure to bleed air of brake system according to the following procedure when its fluid hydraulic circuit has been disconnected.

Hydraulic lines of brake system consists of two separate lines, one for front wheel brakes and the other for rear wheel brakes.

Air bleeding is necessary at right and left front wheel brakes, left rear wheel brake and LSPV (if equipped without ABS), i.e. 4 places (3 places for vehicle with ABS) in all.

Fig 1: Identifying Brake Control System Components

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Fill master cylinder reservoir with brake fluid and keep at least one-half full of fluid during bleeding operation.
Remove bleeder plug cap (1).
Attach a vinyl tube (2) to bleeder plug of wheel cylinder, and insert the other end into container (3).

Fig 2: Removing Bleeder Plug Cap
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Depress brake pedal several times, and then while holding it depressed, loosen bleeder plug about one-third to one half turn.

Fig 3: Loosening Bleeder Plug
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When fluid pressure in the cylinder is almost depleted, retighten bleeder plug.

Fig 4: Tightening Bleeder Plug
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Repeat this operation until there are no more air bubbles in hydraulic line.
When bubbles stop, depress and hold brake pedal and tighten bleeder plug.
Tightening torque

Brake pipe 2-way (or 4-way) joint bolt: 23 N.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)

Brake pipe flare nut: 16 N.m (1.6 kg-m, 11.5 lb-ft)

Brake bleeder plug (Front caliper (M8)) (a): 8N.m (0.8 kg-m, 6.0 lb-ft)

Brake bleeder plug (Front caliper (M10)) (a): 8.5 N.m (0.85 kg-m, 6.5 lb-ft)

Brake bleeder plug (Wheel cylinder): 7.5 N.m (0.75 kg-m, 5.5 lb-ft)

Brake bleeder plug (LSPV): 7.5 N.m (0.75 kg-m, 5.5 lb-ft)

Fig 5: Identifying Bleeder Plug
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Then attach bleeder plug cap.
After completing bleeding operation, apply fluid pressure to pipe line and check for leakage.
Replenish fluid into reservoir up to specified level.

Fig 6: Identifying Fluid Level
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Check brake pedal for "sponginess". If found spongy, repeat entire procedure of bleeding.