- Ring wrench for bolts (valves) air removal.
- Container for collecting brake fluid together with a hose for bleeding.
- Observation pit or lift.
Materials needed: Approximately 1.5 liters of DOT 4 or Super DOT 4 brake fluid. No other fluid is suitable.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air through the pores of the brake hoses and through the vent in the brake fluid reservoir cap. Because of this, over time, the boiling point of the brake fluid drops. With intensive use of the brakes, this can lead to the formation of steam bubbles, which will greatly reduce the effectiveness of the brakes.
Brake fluid should be replaced every three years, preferably with the onset of the warm season. With frequent trips in the mountains, by the sea, on salty roads, the change should be made more often.
Brake fluid is pumped out by swinging the brake pedal, so you need an assistant. The process is the same on all vehicles, regardless of whether the anti-lock brake system is installed or not.
Caution: When bleeding the vehicle, the vehicle must be on wheels on a level surface.
In workshops, the fluid is usually replaced under pressure using a special tool. V vehicles with an anti-lock braking system, it must be ensured that the supply pressure does not exceed 1 bar.
Precautions when working with brake fluid are listed in Sec. «Brake system».
Precautions: Brake fluid is poisonous. Never suck it up by mouth through a hose. Keep the liquid only in a closed vessel.
Remove the plug (1) from the brake fluid level sensor. Unscrew the cover (2) brake fluid reservoir.
Using a rubber bulb, suck out the brake fluid from the reservoir so that its level is about 10 mm.
Attention: Folders must not be completely emptied, otherwise air will enter the system. If one of the reservoir chambers is completely empty (for example, due to leaks in the brake system or if, when bleeding, forgot to pour fluid into the reservoir), then you need to remove air using a tool for reading fault codes from the ABS system with a hydraulic device.
Fill the reservoir with brake fluid up to the mark «MAX».
Ford KA: Depress the brake pedal at least 20 times to relieve pressure in the system.
Precautions: carefully unscrew the bolts to bleed the rear brakes. where the liquid is under very high pressure. Wear safety goggles.