how to flush the brake system?

turborich

turborich

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Hey guys, is it just like a non anti-lock car? Fill the master cylinder, loosen the bleeder screw, push pedal down & close bleeder, repeat until fluid is clean?

right rear, left rear, right front, left front right?

Any tips would be appreaciated. Thanks.:)
 
I have not used them, but people seem to love speed bleeders. They are like a check valve you put with the caliper. That way you dont have to have two people to get the job done.
 
I have heard good things about speedbleeders. It sure makes the job easier. If not have a friend come over, offer them beer, then do the procedure as you state.

Open bleeder -> Push down pedal -> close bleeder -> release peal

Always bleed starting furthest from the master cylinder and working your way to the closest.
 
My 94 manual says the bleeding order is: Right Rear/Left Front/Left Rear/Right Front.
 
Do you have a air compressor?

This is a Ausome unit. Works very slick for a one man operation.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92924

92924.gif
 
You have ABS so----- you need to bleed Passenger side rear , Divers side front, then Drivers side rear and Passenger side front. Make sure that you do not run each half of the master cylinder out of fluid or you will need to start over.

All the tools in the world won't help if you don't follow the correct sequence.
 
Where did you get that info?

My '98 Factory manual says RR, LR, RF then LF in that order.

I will scan and post if you like. :)


I had never heard of your directions and did mine as posted above and every other vehicle that I've ever flushed or bled since the mid '70's.

After reading you post I went to the manual to see if I was missing something that I didn't know. God knows I try to learn something new all the time. :)
 
Our Lincolns have a diagonally split braking system (both 1st and 2nd gen cars.)

The dual ABS hydraulic system is diagonally split with the LH front and RH rear comprising one circuit and the RH front and LH rear, the other circuit.
Click to expand...

I don't know why in the Ford manuals they list different sequences for the 1st gen and 2nd gen cars as you guys have noticed, as they are both diagonally split systems?!?
 
Then I'm betting the reason I've had no problem is using that vacuum system powered by the air compressor.

I'm using the Ultra Blue fluid [dot 4] So you can see the color change.
 
Ultra Blue is cool. Next time you flush the same system you can go to the orange color.
 
Roadboss said:
You have ABS so----- you need to bleed Passenger side rear , Divers side front, then Drivers side rear and Passenger side front. Make sure that you do not run each half of the master cylinder out of fluid or you will need to start over.

All the tools in the world won't help if you don't follow the correct sequence.
Click to expand...

Ok, So is this the correct order? I want to be certian.

Thanks!
 
Yes, as each part of the MC is split that way. Under the old brake systems (non ABS) you have the front brakes on the front chamber, and the rear brakes on the back chamber so you would go to the furthest point away (PR,DR,PF,DF) as you mentione above. Do as suggested above and you will be fine.
 
You can use a steering wheel club (the kind that is locked when extended) as the second person when bleeding brakes-wedge it between the brake petal and the seat to hold the petal down, close bleeder screws-works like a second person.
 
Thanks guys! I have been wanting to get new fluid in for a while now. I'm sure it's ok since everything works, just the thought of dirty fluid bothers me, plus it wont hurt anything.

Thanks for the good advice.
 
page 206-00-3 on the service manual does say the ABS system is split diagonally..........

page 206-00-19 shows the 'bleeding - system' procedure: RR,LR / RF,LF.......



so..........yeah............
 
Just to toss a wrench in this, the Ford manuals show both ways depending on the year as I mentioned above. 1st gen is the way Roadboss said and 2nd gen the way warthog said :confused:
 
what happends if you don't bleed it in the correct order? I bled my brakes about two weeks ago, we did LF,RF,LR,RR... Car felt better after I did it, my brake fluid was greenish brown! Wish I would have know this. When I told my friend who was helping me he said that it didn't matter??? Car feels fine? Pedal is a little spongy that I care for, but it is a grandpa car with pedals not very sensitive.

Well let me ask this question, what happends if you DON'T do it in the correct order? BTW I used DOT 3 Synthetic
 
If you don't use the correct order you may not get all the air out of the system and end up with a spongy feeling pedal. Dot 3 is OK some of us use the Blue which is Dot 4.
 
Can I just add dot 4 as I bleed them? What's the procedure for flushing the system? Or is this something I can't do with out special tools?
 
This little tool, or if you chose to build something like it, makes the job nearly effortless.

1181181313-75797_full.jpg
 
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