Note. Brake fluid is very hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air, which, in addition to causing corrosion of brake system parts, lowers the boiling point of the fluid itself, which can lead to brake failure with frequent intensive braking. Therefore, we recommend replacing the brake fluid every year (in the spring).
You will need: a 17 mm wrench, 9 mm and 11 mm wrenches for the pipeline nuts, brake fluid, a rubber or transparent hose, and a transparent container.
Note: This is what a special key for pipeline nuts looks like.
Note: It is recommended to replace the brake fluid with an assistant, after first placing the car on an inspection ditch or overpass (the wheels do not need to be removed).
Note: Use brake fluids that meet DOT-4 rating.
Note: The order of replacing the fluid in the brake mechanisms:
- rear right;
- front left;
- rear left;
- front right.
Warning! Do not reuse drained fluid: it is contaminated, saturated with air and moisture. Always add only new fluid of the same brand that was previously poured into the system.
Attention! Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the surrounding air), so it cannot be stored in an open container.
Attention! Protect the environment! Do not pour used brake fluid into the soil or sewer system. For information on the location of collection points for used operating fluids in your area, contact your local authorities.
1. Unscrew the cap of the master brake cylinder reservoir.
2. Add clean brake fluid to the reservoir up to the lower edge of the filler neck.
Attention! Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks under the rear wheels.
3. Clean the air release valves from dirt and remove the protective caps of the valves of the working cylinders of the front brake mechanisms…
4. …and rear wheels.
5. Attach a rubber hose to the right rear wheel brake master cylinder air bleed valve and immerse the end of the hose in a clean, transparent container.
6. The assistant should sharply press the brake pedal four to five times (with an interval of 1–2 seconds between presses), and then hold the pedal pressed.
7. Loosen the air release valve by 1/2–3/4 of a turn. Old (dirty) brake fluid will start to flow out of the hose. At this point, the brake pedal should smoothly reach the stop. As soon as the fluid stops flowing, close the air release valve.
Note. Constantly monitor the fluid level in the reservoir, not allowing it to drop to the "MIN" mark on the reservoir wall. If necessary, add new brake fluid to prevent air from entering the hydraulic drive. This ensures that the old fluid is gradually replaced by the new one without draining the hydraulic system.
8. In the same way, replace the brake fluid in the working cylinder of the brake mechanism of the left front wheel.
9. Then replace the brake fluid in the second circuit (first in the working cylinder of the brake mechanism of the left rear wheel, then the right front).
10. Repeat steps 5–9 until the fluid in the drive is completely replaced (clean fluid without air bubbles should flow out of the hose).
11. After replacing the brake fluid, be sure to put the protective caps on the air release valves. Replace any damaged caps.
12. Check the quality of the work performed: press the brake pedal several times - the pedal travel and force on it should be the same each time you press it. If this is not the case, return to operations 5-9.
13. To replace the brake fluid in the clutch release hydraulic drive, remove the protective cap from the valve to remove air from the working cylinder.
14. Attach a hose to the valve and lower its end into a container with a small amount of brake fluid. Ask an assistant to press the clutch pedal 4-5 times at intervals of 2-3 seconds, and then hold it down. Unscrew the nipple by 3/4 of a turn, holding the slave cylinder with a second key. Old (dirty) brake fluid will flow out of the hose into the container.
15. Close the valve and ask the assistant to release the clutch pedal.
16. Repeat steps 14 and 15 until the fluid in the clutch release hydraulic drive is completely replaced (clean fluid without air bubbles should flow out of the hose).
Attention! When bleeding the hydraulic drive, periodically check the fluid level in the reservoir of the main brake cylinder, common for the brake and clutch hydraulic drives. Do not allow the fluid level in it to fall below the "MIN" mark. Top up the fluid in a timely manner, otherwise air will get into the system and it will have to be bled.
17. Close the valve and put on the protective cap.
18. Add brake fluid to the level between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the tank wall and tighten the cap.
19. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal.
(The original source of the publication is on the website Fordbook.ru)