Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Manual)
Warning:
Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Warning.
Caution:
Refer to Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components
Caution.
Caution:
Only use products that comply with GM specifications and
check manufacturer information respectively. We recommend the use of GM genuine
products. Instructions must be followed at all times. The use of any type of
fluid other than the recommended type of brake fluid, may cause contamination
which could result in damage to the internal rubber seals and/or rubber linings
of hydraulic brake system components.
If hydraulic components were serviced on only one wheel hydraulic circuit, perform
the following procedure.
Bleeding a Single Hydraulic Brake Circuit
- With the ignition OFF and the brakes cool, apply the brakes 3–5 times, or
until the brake pedal effort increases significantly, in order to deplete the
brake booster power reserve.
- Place a clean shop cloth beneath the brake master cylinder to catch brake
fluid spills.
- Clean the outside of the reservoir on and around the reservoir cap prior
to removing the cap and diaphragm.
- Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-full level with
GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Add brake
fluid as needed to ensure that the brake master cylinder reservoir remains at
least half-full throughout the bleed procedure. The reservoir cap must be installed
at all times except when filling the reservoir. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant
Recommendations.
- Install a proper box-end wrench onto the wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder
valve which has been serviced.
- Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve.
- Submerge the open end of the transparent hose into a transparent container
partially filled with brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Have an assistant slowly press the brake pedal fully and maintain steady
pressure on the pedal.
- Loosen the bleeder valve to purge air from the wheel hydraulic circuit.
- Tighten the bleeder valve, then have the assistant slowly release the brake
pedal.
- Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 8-10 until all air is purged from the
wheel hydraulic circuit.
- After all air has been purged from the hydraulic circuit, tighten the bleeder
valve and install the dust cap.
- Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-fill level with
GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Slowly press and release the brake pedal. Observe the brake pedal feel.
- If the brake pedal feels spongy, perform the Bleeding the Complete Brake
Hydraulic System procedure:
- Turn the ignition key ON, with the engine OFF. Check to see if the brake
system warning lamp remains illuminated.
Note:
DO NOT allow the vehicle to be driven until it is diagnosed
and repaired.
- If the brake system warning lamp remains illuminated, refer to Diagnostic
Starting Point - Vehicle.
Bleeding the Complete Brake Hydraulic System
- With the ignition OFF and the brakes cool, apply the brakes 3–5 times, or
until the brake pedal effort increases significantly, in order to deplete the
brake booster power reserve.
- Place a clean shop cloth beneath the brake master cylinder to catch brake
fluid spills.
- Clean the outside of the reservoir on and around the reservoir cap prior
to removing the cap and diaphragm.
- Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-full level with
GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Add brake
fluid as needed to ensure that the brake master cylinder reservoir remains at
least half-full throughout the bleed procedure. The reservoir cap must be installed
at all times except when filling the reservoir. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant
Recommendations.
- If the master cylinder was replaced, the master cylinder must be bench bled.
Refer to Master Cylinder Bench Bleeding.
- If the brake pipes have been removed from the master cylinder, the following
steps must be performed.
- With the rear brake pipe installed securely to the master cylinder,
loosen and separate the front brake pipe fitting from the front port of
the brake master cylinder.
- Allow a small amount of brake fluid to gravity bleed from the open port
of the master cylinder. Capture and properly dispose of the brake fluid
in an approved container.
- Install the front brake pipe fitting to the front port of the brake
master cylinder and tighten the fitting. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications.
- Have an assistant slowly press the brake pedal fully and maintain steady
pressure on the pedal.
- Loosen the front brake pipe fitting from the front port of the brake
master cylinder to purge air from the master cylinder port.
- Tighten the front brake pipe fitting, then have the assistant slowly
release the brake pedal.
- Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 6.4-6.6 until all air is purged from
the front brake pipe fitting of the front port of the master cylinder.
- After all air is purged from the front port of the brake master cylinder,
tighten the front master cylinder brake pipe fitting. Refer to Fastener
Tightening Specifications.
- With the front brake pipe fitting installed securely to the front port
of the brake master cylinder, loosen and separate the rear brake pipe fitting
from the rear port of the brake master cylinder.
- Repeat steps 6.2-6.7 for the rear port of the brake master cylinder.
- After all air is purged from the rear port of the brake master cylinder,
tighten the rear master cylinder brake pipe fitting. Refer to Fastener Tightening
Specifications.
- Slowly press and release the brake pedal. Observe the brake pedal feel.
- If the brake pedal feels spongy, proceed to step 7.
- If the brake pedal feels firm, proceed to step 24.
- If the brake pipes have been removed from the brake pressure modulator valve
(BPMV) assembly, if equipped, or the brake proportion valve assembly, if equipped,
air must be purged from each port of the respective assembly beginning with
the feed pipes from the master cylinder.
- Loosen and separate one of the master cylinder brake pipe fittings from
the inlet port of the assembly to be bled.
- Allow a small amount of brake fluid to gravity bleed from the open port
of the assembly. Capture and properly dispose of the brake fluid in an approved
container.
- Install the brake pipe fitting and to the inlet port of the assembly
and tighten securely.
- Have an assistant slowly press the brake pedal fully and maintain steady
pressure on the pedal.
- Loosen the same brake pipe fitting to purge air from the open port of
the assembly.
- Tighten the brake pipe fitting, then have the assistant slowly release
the brake pedal.
- Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 7.4-7.6 until all air is purged from
the brake pipe fitting of the assembly.
- Repeat steps 7.1-7.7 for all of the remaining ports of the assembly.
- After bleeding each port of the assembly, tighten all of the brake pipe
fittings on the assembly. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications.
- Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-full level with GM
approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Slowly press and release the brake pedal. Observe the brake pedal feel.
- If the brake pedal feels spongy, proceed to step 8.
- If the brake pedal feels firm, proceed to step 24.
- Install a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT REAR wheel hydraulic circuit
bleeder valve.
- Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve.
- Submerge the open end of the transparent hose into a transparent container
partially filled with GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid
container.
- Have an assistant slowly press the brake pedal fully and maintain steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
- Loosen the bleeder valve to purge air from the wheel hydraulic circuit.
- Tighten the bleeder valve, then have the assistant slowly release the brake
pedal.
- Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 11-13 until all air is purged from the
wheel hydraulic circuit.
- Tighten the RIGHT REAR hydraulic wheel circuit bleeder valve securely.
- Install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT REAR wheel hydraulic circuit
bleeder valve, then repeat steps 9-14..
- Install a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT FRONT wheel hydraulic circuit
bleeder valve, then repeat steps 9-14..
- Install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT FRONT wheel hydraulic circuit
bleeder valve, then repeat steps 9-14..
- After completing the final wheel hydraulic circuit bleeding procedure, tighten
all of the wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valves and install the bleeder valve
dust caps.
- Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-full level with GM approved
brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
- Slowly press and release the brake pedal. Observe the brake pedal feel.
- If the brake pedal feels spongy, perform the following procedure.
- If equipped with antilock brakes, install a scan tool and perform the
Antilock Brake System Automated Bleed to remove air which may be trapped
in the BPMV.
- Inspect the hydraulic brake system for external leaks. Refer to Brake
System External Leak Inspection.
- Repeat the Bleeding the Complete Brake Hydraulic System procedure.
- If the brake pedal still feels spongy, pressure bleed the hydraulic brake
system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding
- Turn the ignition switch ON with the engine OFF. Check to see if the brake
system warning lamp remains illuminated.
Note:
DO NOT allow the vehicle to be driven until the brake system
is diagnosed and repaired.
- If the brake system warning lamp remains illuminated, refer to Diagnostic
Starting Point - Vehicle.
Disc Brake
With the tire and wheel assemblies removed and the brake rotors retained
by wheel lug nuts, visually inspect the brake caliper piston dust boot (2)
sealin ...
Special Tools
CH-29532 Diaphragm Type Brake Pressure Bleeder
CH-35589-A Brake Pressure Bleeder Adapter
Warning: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Warning.
Caution: Refer to Brake Fluid ...
Other materials:
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The compact spare tire and tools are located in the storage compartment in the
rear of the vehicle. The jack and tools are stored below the spare tire.
1. Extension
2. Jack
3. Wheel Wrench
4. Strap
To access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the trunk or liftgate. See Trunk (Sedan) o ...
Rear Side Door Weatherstrip Replacement - Body Side
Rear Side Door Weatherstrip Replacement - Body Side
Callout
Component Name
Preliminary Procedures
Remove the upper center pillar trim. Refer to Center Pillar Upper
Trim Panel Replacement.
Remove the lower center pillar tr ...
Front Seat Cushion Outer Trim Panel Replacement
Front Seat Cushion Outer Trim Panel Replacement
Callout
Component Name
Preliminary Procedures
Remove the driver or passenger seat recliner handle. Refer to Front
Seat Back Recliner Handle Replacement
Remove the front seat ...
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