Tools for Bleeding Brakes

• Bleeding the brakes is important to maintain the safety of a vehicle's brake system. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  To bleed a brake system, certain tools are required to complete the job safely and efficiently. Bleeding brakes requires taking old brake fluid, known as flushing, out of the brake lines, wheel cylinders, master cylinder and calipers, then refilling the system with clean, fresh brake fluid. Bleeding brakes may be necessary after repairing or replacing parts, or to remove air bubbles or moisture out the system.

Box-end Wrench

• A box-end wrench can fit in narrow, tight spaces. wrench image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com

  A box-end wrench is used to remove the vehicle's bleeder screws. The wrench works by enclosing the bleeder screws to properly remove them without stripping the screws. The ends of a box-end wrench are narrow, allowing it to fit into small areas. Bleeder screws can be located on the right of the rear calipers.

Turkey Baster or Syringe

• A household turkey baster is an effective tool for removing brake fluid or sediment. autumn turkey baster image by Roslen Mack from Fotolia.com

  A turkey baster or syringe will allow you to pull any fluid or sediment out of the master cylinder by means of suction.

Clear Plastic Tubing

• Clear plastic tubing is needed to drain the brake fluid. gel tubing macro image by laurent dambies from Fotolia.com

  Clear plastic tubing will need to fit securely over the vehicle's bleeder screws. The clear plastic tubing should be roughly 12 inches in length to provide room for brake fluid to drain into a disposable container set up to collect the brake fluid.

Floor Jack and Jack Stands

• A floor jack will be required to lift the vehicle while safely setting the vehicle down on jack stands. This will prevent the car from moving while bleeding the brakes. It's recommended to place a wooden block in back of the rear tires to keep the car from rolling backward off the jack stands.

Brake Fluid

• Fresh brake fluid will be required to replace the old brake fluid. Approximately three containers of brake fluid will be needed for completely replacing the old brake fluid while one container will be sufficient if only bleeding the brakes.

Rubber Mallet

• Rubber mallets are used to remove any air bubbles adhering to the inside shell of the caliper. Lightly tapping the outside of the caliper will help remove air bubbles.

Anti-lock Brake Scanning Tool

• If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-locking brake system (ABS), a scan tool will be needed. The can tool will cycle the valves and pumps during the bleeding process. The ABS scan tool cycles and energizes the ABS solenoids and will instruct you when to bleed each wheel.