Air Bleeding of Brake System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Suzuki SX4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

Bleeding operation is necessary to remove air whenever it entered hydraulic brake system.

Hydraulic lines of brake system are based on the diagonal split system. When a brake pipe or hose was disconnected at the wheel, bleeding operation must be performed at both ends of the line of the removed pipe or hose. When any joint part of the master cylinder of other joint part between the master cylinder and each brake (wheel) was removed, the hydraulic brake system must be bled at all 4 wheel brakes.

NOTE: Perform bleeding operation starting with rear brake caliper or wheel cylinder farthest from master cylinder and then at front caliper of the same brake line. Do the same on the other brake line.

Fig 1: Identifying Bleeding Operation

Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.

Fill master cylinder reservoir with specified brake fluid and keep at least one-half full of fluid during bleeding operation.
Brake fluid

: Refer to reservoir cap (1) .

Fig 2: Identifying Reservoir Cap
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove bleeder plug cap. Attach a vinyl tube (1) to bleeder plug, and insert the other end into container (2).

Fig 3: Attaching Vinyl Tube To Bleeder Plug
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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.
When fluid pressure in cylinder is almost depleted, retighten bleeder plug.
Repeat this operation until there are no more air bubbles in hydraulic line.

Fig 4: Identifying Brake Bleeding Procedure When Depress Brake Pedal
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
When bubbles stop, depress and hold brake pedal and tighten bleeder plug.
Tightening torque

Front brake caliper bleeder plug: 9 N.m (0.9 kg-m, 6.5 lbf-ft)

Rear brake caliper bleeder plug (disc brake model): 9 N.m (0.9 kg-m, 6.5 lbf-ft)

Rear wheel cylinder bleeder plug (drum brake model): 8 N.m (0.8 kg-m, 6.0 lbf-ft)

Fig 5: Identifying Brake Bleeding Procedure When Depress And Hold Brake Pedal
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
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 referring to MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION .
Check brake pedal for sponginess. If found spongy, repeat entire procedure of bleeding.