how to properly bleed 96 caravan brakes?

Question

it has abs system if this matters.

Answer 1

if the entire system needs bleeding...start with the caliper furthest away from the master cylinder...have someone pump the pedal and hold pressure on it being care full to not let off the pedal while you open the bleeder valve ( you need to have a steady stream come out when you open it)...close the valve...then have the person pump the break pedal again...repeat this until there is a steady stream of fluid....then go on to the next furthest wheel and repeat these steps...typically the right rear, then left rear, then right front, last left front

Answer 2

The other guys are correct. Fill your brake reservoir to the top. Connect a small diameter hose a couple of feet long over the bleeder screw into a small diameter plastic or glass jar do the following. Fill the jar 3/4 full of brake fluid and insert the plastic hose connected to the bleeder screw furthest away from the reservoir, usually the right rear. Have someone step on the brakes. you open the bleeder with a boxed end wrench or a fitting wench until you see bubbles coming down inside the hose. Instruct the person to say stop if the petal is all the way down. If you are seeing bubbles during the entire stroke of the petal, close the bleeder screw when he says stop. The petal operator should release the petal and stroke again as you release the bleeder screw slightly inspecting for bubbles. Close the screw when bubbles are no longer present. Do the same process to the left rear, right front, then left front. The reason for the plastic hose is if the operator releases the petal only fluid can return to the wheel cylinder instead of air. The 100% correct way ts to have your system pressure bleed. Positive air pressure in clamped to the top of your brake reservoir and the bleading process is done as before. Some facilities actually replace your entire brake fluid while doing this process. Not a bad idea for a vehicle every 10 years. Brake fluid loves air and there plenty of water and other junk in air. That causes akk kinds of problems to wheel cylinders calipers and master cylinders.

Answer 3

yes it matters if there abs,i own a repair shop,and i always gravity bleed them,just donut let the master cylinder go dry on it,i find that i get better results from doing it this way then pressure bleeding them,on gravity bleeding them you just do one wheel at a time,and you barely open up the bleeder,and set a clear jar under that wheel,and run a hose to it from the bleeder,i always let it drip until i see new fluid coming through it,and start with the farthest wheel from the master cylinder always,but this method works real good for me,i do it all the time like this,good luck i hope this helps, don't let the master go dry at any time on it,

Answer 4

You have a couple good answers aleady. When bleeding or replaceing brakes it is always good to reference the manual first, especially when ABS is involved. If you have a helper you can pressure bleed the Brake system as described by Robert P above.
You do not need the special tools prescride in this text, you can do it without, I recommend using a bleeder bottle. Use caution when doing this the objective is to get the air out of the lines and not let air in. Be sure that the helper keeps the pedal fully depressed, while the bleeder valve is open. Pedal down, valve open, valve closed, release pedal and pump again. If you release the pedal while the valve is open air will get in.

Gravity bleeding. I only know of a few vehicles where gravity bleediing is recommended. To make sure your brakes are properly working you can manually bleed them. You wan to achive a solid/firm feel at the brake pedal, if the brake pedal is mushy you want to repeat the process. It may take a couple times. Do not get fustrated, and make sure you have plenty of the recommended brake fluid.

DO not try bleed the ABS.

The following is the text from the repair manual. Via Alldata.

Bleeding Base Brake Hydraulic System

NOTE: This bleeding procedure is only for the vehicle's base brakes hydraulic system. For bleeding the antilock brakes hydraulic system, refer to the ITT Teves Mark IV g Antilock Brake System bleeding procedure in antilock brakes.

NOTE:
This bleeding procedure is only for the vehicle's base brakes hydraulic system.
Use bleeder tank Special Tool C-3496-B with adapter Special Tool 6921, or equivalents to pressurize the hydraulic system for bleeding.

Pressure Bleeding Procedure

CAUTION: Before removing the master cylinder cover, throughly clean the cover and master cylinder fluid reservoir to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from dropping into the master cylinder fluid reservoir.
Use bleeder tank Special Tool C-3496-B with adapter Special Tool 6921 to pressurize the hydraulic system for bleeding.
When pressure bleeding the brakes hydraulic system the fluid reservoir filler neck must be removed from the master cylinder fluid reservoir. Failure to remove the filler neck from the fluid reservoir, may result in the filler neck separating from the fluid reservoir when the hydraulic system is pressurized.
Follow pressure bleeder manufacturer's instructions, for use of pressure bleeding equipment.

Air Trapped In Brake System

When bleeding the brake system, some air may be trapped in the brake lines or valves far upstream, as much as ten feet from the bleeder screw. Therefore, it is essential to have a fast flow of a large volume of brake fluid when bleeding the brakes to ensure all the air gets out.

Remove the filler neck from the master cylinder fluid reservoir.
Pressure Bleeding Cap Installed On Master Cylinder

Install the Adapter Master Cylinder Pressure Bleed Cap, Special Tool 6921, or equivalent on the fluid reservoir of the master cylinder. Attach the fluid hose from the pressure bleeder to the fitting on Special Tool 6921, or equivalent.
Attach a clear plastic hose to the bleeder screw at one wheel and feed the hose into a clear jar containing fresh brake fluid.

NOTE: The following wheel sequence should be used when bleeding the brake hydraulic system. The use of this wheel sequence will ensure adequate removal of all trapped air from the brake hydraulic system. (1st) - Left Rear Wheel (2nd) - Right Front Wheel (3rd) - Right Rear Wheel (4th) - Left Front Wheel
Rear Wheel Cylinder Bleeder Screw

Open the left rear wheel bleeder screw at least one full turn or more to obtain an adequate flow of brake fluid. CAUTION: Just cracking the bleeder screw often restricts fluid flow, and a slow, weak fluid discharge will NOT get all the air out.
After 4 to 8 ounces of brake fluid has been bled through the hydraulic system, and an air-free flow is maintained in the hose and jar, this will indicate a good bleed of the hydraulic system has been obtained.
Repeat the procedure at all the other remaining bleeder screws. Then check the pedal for travel. If pedal travel is excessive or has not been improved, enough fluid has not passed through the system to expel all the trapped air. Be sure to monitor the fluid level in the pressure bleeder, so it stays at a proper level so air will not enter the brake system through the master cylinder.
Perform a final adjustment of the rear brake shoes and then test drive vehicle to be sure brakes are operating correctly and that pedal is solid.
Bleeding Without A Pressure Bleeder

Correct manual bleeding of the brakes hydraulic system will require the aid of a helper.

NOTE: To adequately bleed the brakes using the manual bleeding procedure the rear brakes must be correctly adjusted. Prior to bleeding the brake hydraulic system, be sure the rear brakes are correctly adjusted.

NOTE: The following wheel sequence should be used when bleeding the brake hydraulic system. The use of this wheel sequence will ensure adequate removal of all trapped air from the brake hydraulic system.
Left Rear Wheel
Right Front Wheel
Right Rear Wheel
Left Front Wheel
Pump the brake pedal three or four times and hold it down before the bleeder screw is opened.
Push the brake pedal toward the floor and hold it down. Then open the left rear bleeder screw at least 1 full turn. When the bleeder screw opens the brake pedal will drop all the way to the floor.
Release the brake pedal only after the bleeder screw is closed.
Repeat steps 1 through 3, four or five times, at each bleeder screw in the required sequence. This should pass a sufficient amount of fluid to expel all the trapped air from the brake system. Be sure to monitor the fluid level in the master cylinder, so it stays at a proper level so air will not enter the brake system through the master cylinder.
Perform a final adjustment of the rear brake shoes and then test drive vehicle to be sure brakes are operating correctly and that pedal is solid.

Answer 5

I prefer gravity bleed but do it this way. First right rear, then left rear, now right front and last left front. Follow Dodge Man's precautions.