Attention! Bleed the brake system while wearing goggles. If brake fluid accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention!
1. Bleeding the hydraulic system is carried out in order to remove air from it that enters the path when servicing the brake mechanisms, replacing hydraulic lines or GTZ, as well as when lowering below the minimum allowable value of the liquid level in the master cylinder reservoir. If air has entered the system due to a drop in the liquid level in the GTZ reservoir, or when the brake lines are disconnected from the GTZ, the brake mechanisms of all four wheels must be pumped.
2. When disconnecting the hydraulic lines from any of the calipers/wheel cylinders, it will only be sufficient to bleed that particular brake.
3. If the brake line was disconnected from the fitting located between the GTZ and one of the brake mechanisms, only this part of the brake circuit is pumped.
4. Each of the brake mechanisms is pumped individually. Start from as far away as possible (along the length of the hydraulic circuit) from the GTZ mechanism. The procedure for carrying out a complete bleeding of the brake system is shown in the illustrations.
5. Depress the foot brake pedal several times with the engine off to release the residual vacuum in the vacuum brake booster.
6. After carefully wiping, remove the cap from the GTZ reservoir, pour fresh liquid into the reservoir if necessary, then place polyethylene under the cap and screw it into place.
Note. Remember to check the fluid level in the reservoir regularly while pumping. An excessive drop in the level is fraught with air entering the GTZ, which will nullify all the efforts made and entail the need to pump the entire brake system.
7. Enlist the help of an assistant, prepare a supply of fresh brake fluid, a transparent container partially filled with hydraulic fluid, a piece of plastic hose that fits tightly over the bleed valve, and a suitable open-end wrench / box wrench to loosen / tighten the valves.
8. The valve for bleeding disc brakes is located directly on the caliper body, drum brakes - on the rear side of the brake shield.
9. After wiping thoroughly, remove the protective cap and slightly loosen the brake bleed valve of the corresponding wheel, then re-tighten it so that it is easily and quickly released during the procedure.
10. Pull a suitable plastic or rubber hose onto the valve, lower the other end of it into a transparent vessel partially filled with clean brake fluid. The end of the hose must be completely immersed in the liquid.
11. Ask an assistant to slowly squeeze the foot brake pedal several times, thereby raising the pressure in the system.
12. With the brake pedal fixed in the lower position, slightly open the bleed valve so that brake fluid begins to be forced out of it. Watch for fluid exiting the hose. After a couple of seconds, when the pressure weakens, close the valve and allow the assistant to release the pedal.
13. Repeat the procedures of the last two paragraphs until fluid free of air bubbles begins to flow from the valve, then go to the brake mechanism of the left rear wheel. Proceeding in a similar manner, pump the mechanisms of the remaining wheels of the car.
Attention! Always make sure that the liquid level in the GTZ reservoir does not drop too low!
14. Never add old brake fluid to the tank - it is highly hygroscopic and absorbs a lot of moisture over time, which leads to a drop in its boiling point and, as a result, to a decrease in braking efficiency. In addition, the presence of moisture in the hydraulic system contributes to the accelerated aging of the material of flexible brake hoses.
15. Upon completion of pumping, add fresh brake fluid to the GTZ reservoir, bringing its level back to normal.
16. Check up efficiency of functioning of brakes. When depressing the pedal, it should provide firm resistance - a feeling of softness of its stroke indicates the presence of air in the hydraulic circuits and the need to repeat the pumping procedure.
Attention! In no case do not start operating the car without being absolutely sure that the brake system is working properly!