the best way to get the process started is to gravity bleed it,with anti lock brakes you really don't want to pump them too much,you wont get the right amount of pedal back up on it that it needs,the best way i have found is to gravity bleed them,if you have a repair manual it gives a real good procedure for doing this,but pumping them will not get them back up like they should be the first time,if they went all the way down their going to be hard to get right again,good luck with it.Need help with bleeding brake lines; %26039;98 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC?
Crack the bleeder valve on the caliper while someone else pumps and holds the brake pedal down. Once fluid starts to seep out the brake bleed is completeNeed help with bleeding brake lines; %26039;98 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC?
First you need to determine where the leak is. Going through all the work to bleed them only to have the continuously leak is putting you and others in a dangerous situation. To bleed the brakes, it is a two person concept if you don't have a brake bleeder. Have one person pump the breaks. Have them hold the pedal once pressure builds. Start with the furthest wheel cylinder from the master cylinder (right rear when looking from the rear). Once pressure is build, turn the bleeder valve (have a hose connected and drain into a jar with the hose down in the fluid). Once the bleeder valve is opened, the pressure will release off the pedal. Have your friend pump it again. Once pressure is build, loosen the bleeder valve. Once pressure is relieved, tighten the valve and have them pump the breaks again. Soon you will have fluid drain into the jar. Once bubbles disappear from the fluid in the jar, move to the left rear and repeat. Once that's done, do the right front, repeat. Lastly, the left front. Keep an eye on the break fluid in the master cylinder. If your system was dry, it will take at least 3 or 4 jugs of break fluid. Use no less than DOT 3. Good luck.Need help with bleeding brake lines; %26039;98 Dodge Stratus 2.4 DOHC?
agree with prof gearhead...find the leak first...your brake system is a closed system...it doesn't lose fluid or get air in the system by itself.
the first time you pump up the pedal, it may not get hard...still have your buddy hold the pedal down while you loosen a bleeder and then tighten it back down. You might not even get an fluid out the first time or so, especially if you ran it dry at the reservoir.
By the time you get done replacing the leaky part (rear wheel cylinder?) you will be a pro at saying...PUMP IT.... HOLD IT....PUMP IT....HOLD IT
and the person in the car will probably be quite tired of it as well...(my wife has been behind the wheel of many a car helping me bleed brakes)
good luck
