Common Mistakes Bleeding Brakes! How to Do a Full Brake Bleed the Right Way, and Why!

Thought you should try bleeding your brakes, because the pedal is feeling squishy, or because you had to replace brake parts, or the fluid is old? This video will show you all the things you should do, as well as many things you shouldnt! Sue guides you through bleeding brakes the right way, and why you might need to do it, with the correct order in mind!

Check out these other awesome common mistakes videos!

⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[larrycroft]

I always watch when Sue gives these training videos. She is one of the best teachers on the net.

[aliffdarfriz]

I feel like I'm in Ford apprentice mechanic training! Detailed whiteboard explanation with practical video instructions. Can't believe she taught all of these for free. Thank you so much

[marlenakauer]

As a woman who works on cars (DIY), it’s so refreshing and encouraging to learn from another woman on YouTube!

[nickgerstenlauer]

Best video I've watched. I've watched three brake fluid bleeding videos tonight and by the time I got to this video I was stressed out of my mind. Now that I've watched this video, I feel so calm and confident. Thanks so much for the teaching, Sue

[knoxandcompany]

This is by far the longest and best video I’ve seen explaining how to properly bleed the brakes! Thank you so much, kudos to almost having 1 million views, and showing how it’s really done!!

[vblqmrr]

It doesn't matter how many brake videos I watch. I learn something else. Your videos are certainly no exception. Thank you, Sue, for this very informative one, Lester

[willydunn]

The brake system you are looking at on the vehicle is a split diagonal system. One port on the mast cylinder is connected to the right rear line and also connected to the left front line. The other port is connected to the left rear and also connected to the right front line. This design will keep the vehicle stopping straight in case you loose fluid pressure in one of the lines. This is in most vehicles today especially front wheel drive vehicles. You bleed the right rear then the left front. Or the left rear then right front. The system sue draws in the beginning is the front brake lines are using one port of the master cylinder and the rear is using the other. If one side looses pressure there is a proportion valve that will block off fluid to that system. Now you will have either front or rear brakes only. So let’s say you lose pressure to the front brakes and only have rear. The vehicle is not going to stop well and if it is bad weather even worse most likely spinning like a top. The split diagonal system if you loose pressure on one system you still have a front and rear brake to stop the vehicle straight.

[jyao]

Some cars (toyota) have ABS pump on the passenger side. So for the driver front it actually takes a longer journey for the fluid than the passenger front. So for that I start from driver rear wheel. Also when doing one-person bleeding, I apply a thick grease on the bleeder thread to prevent air from being sucked in via the threads.

[Hackschnipsel]

As a German I must say that this is the best and most detailed explanation on how to bleed a break system without any missing information . Dankeschön 🙏

[freitag]

Sue! You're a natural and talented teacher. Thanks for saving me time and money after I watched your Nissan Murano front brake video. I'm an old mathematics teacher who enjoys lightweight automotive maintenance. The brake-bleed kit makes this job look reasonable without a helper.

[robertstevens]

Wow I have never said this on any video I’ve ever watched on YouTube. And it’s not because the videos were bad but, I have to say this lady knows her stuff. I’ve watched many on bleeding the brakes and she’s the first one I’ve watched that I can say without a doubt that I can easily bleed my brakes without referring back to the video. Great job! And now you’re my go to person/lady from now on when I need to learn something on my vehicle. Thank you so much for a through video. Namaste 🙏

[eddiekiplinger]

Glad you mentioned the Corvette brakes being different from the norm on the order that you bleed each wheel as well as which side of the caliper to do first. I had heard that and now you confirmed it. Getting ready to replace pads because of excessive brake dust and bleed system on a 2017 Corvette with 20k miles. The brake fluid is overdue for a brake system flush.

[craigdreisbach]

Great video. I came across an instructional video that states your order of bleeding depends more on the distance from the ABS motor to the wheel ( if equipped with ABS) than the distance from the master cylinder. Also, Peak brake fluid is rated for both Dot 3 and Dot 4. Kind Regards, Craig

[jasonhuofficial]

I watched the thing in its entirety even though I already know how to bleed the brakes because Sue is amazing! Love the videos by 1A Auto, they're both informative and entertaining.

[bodeine]

Nice work! 👍
Only thing I might add and I'm not sure if I've ever experienced this before but I've seen comments where a few people say that air can get past the bleeder screw threads and cause bubbles in the bleeder line leading you to believe that it's air in the brake line when it's actually air getting through the bleeder screw threads and they say to put some grease around the bleeder screw so no air can get through the threads. IDK, just throwing it out there. Another thing I've noticed with the clear bleeder line that goes over the bleeder screw is that when the line is cold and hard or when it's old and hard that it might not make a good seal on the bleeder and air can get past that seal and into the line leading you to again think that it's air in the brake line. I think they need to come up with a better line or flexible fitting that won't harden like regular clear bleeder line like maybe silicone line or Tygon fuel line or something that stays maliable better in colder Temps or when it ages. Regular PVC hose or line seems to harden and not make a good seal in cold temps or after it gets some age on it.

[carlosjr]

Thank you SO MUCH for this!! I've always paid to have it done because i was intimidated to do it on my own or mess things up. But your patient explanation gave me the courage to get the kit and do this own my own the next time I need to work on my brakes. Thank you!!

[bearpuf]

Hi Sue,
Your video is terrific. The tips you provide make complete sense and explanation for bleeding all four wheels even if only doing fronts makes it a no brainer to do. I've done brakes for years without issues but always with a peddle-pusher to assist. Your education for use of the single person kit has given me the confidence to go get one and try it on my own. I like your delivery. Thank you.

[AceSolomon]

When Sue is talking, I'm listening 👂🏾

[shojay]

I greatly appreciate your video. Out of all the videos on here, yours was the best one. I just finished a rear brake job on my 06 HHR and it was a horrible experience. I don't ever want to go through that ever again. The worst part were the main springs. Took two days to finish. Thank you for all your help!

[justinkutchenriter]

Thanks Sue. You have been giving me the confidence to work on my 2005 EX Honda Element. I live in the rust belt of WI, so i can relate to your videos 100%. I have to replace my drivers side CV axle because the inner boot is ripped and leaking. I now have the confidence after watching your videos.