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How do I bleed the brakes?

How do I bleed the brakes on a Citroen C5? I have replaced the front caliper.

Asked on 11 July 2012 by ianc2010

Answered by Alan Ross
You will need a glass bottle or jar, a small length of rubber/plastic tube that will push over the bleed nipple and make a air tight connection and the correct spanner for the bleed nipple. Remove the cap to the brake master cylinder reservoir, have a quantity of brake fluid available.

Place a small quantity of fluid in the bottle /jar so that one end of the rubber pipe is immersed in the brake fluid.

You will need the assistance of another person to sit in the drivers seat and depress the pedal when instructed.

Then go to the wheel furthest from the master cylinder, undo the bleed nipple and place the other end of the rubber hose over the bleed nipple, ensuring that you have an air tight fit.

Then instruct the other person to slowly depress the brake pedal and watch for air bubbles appearing in the glass jar/bottle.

Instruct the other person to depress the pedal each time until all the air bubbles have disappeared, then get the other person to depress once more - but this time hold his/her foot down on the brake pedal whilst you then tighten up the bleed nipple.

Then go to the next wheel and repeat the operation, however - after each wheel is completed, check the level of brake fluid in the reservoir.

When you have completed the last wheel the brake pedal should then be solid with no spongy feeling.

This job is simple enough if one is confident but if unsure, would recommend that a competent mechanic is employed as SAFETY is paramount.
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