Brake bleeding procedure

[chrisbh17]

Just took delivery of our new (to us) 2022 Big Horn. Whenever I get a used vehicle I tend to swap out all the fluids just because. Brake fluid looks a little dirty, nothing terrible but I want to swap it anyway. Plus getting a spongy initial pedal (first press is soft, subsequent are fine, wash/rinse/repeat after driving for a certain amount [not between drive cycles, just during normal driving]).

Is it the typical order? Farthest from master cylinder to closest?

Are the bleeders still 10mm?

Have a Motive PowerBleeder, but need to pick up the adapter first. And a set of line wrenches because I hate worrying about stripping bleeder screws.

Thanks.

-Chris

 

[WSix]

Not sure of the mm size of the bleeder, but I recently did a complete fluid chang and I started at the rear passenger side.
All went well.

 

[chaosh1]

dont forget an ABS bleed should also be done

 

[chrisbh17]

dont forget an ABS bleed should also be done

Question about this - does the procedure need someone pressing on the brake pedal *instead of* leaving the Motive PowerBleeder connected? I can do either way, just wanted to be sure.

I did find a frozen upper slider pin on the left rear caliper. Tapped it back out of the bracket to find the grease was all nice and dried up. Scraped (with plastic scraper) and flushed out the channel it rides in, cleaned up the pin some, re-greased and it was moving nicely. It's definitely lessened the original issue a good amount, but its still not perfect. Im thinking bleeding the ABS may help (or maybe even bleeding just that caliper, if there is air trapped in it from not working correctly)

Also, FYI - the bleeder screws are 11mm (at least on our 2022). Luckily I finally broke down and bought a set of flare nut wrenches, all sizes from 9mm to 17mm.

 

[chaosh1]

Yes, during the ABS Bleed someone needs to be holding the brake pedal down the whole time. When i did it i had my wife using J-scan and pressing the buttons while hold the brake. I just jumped around bleeding the position J-scan said to do.

Using a power bleeder is the first step, then remove the power bleeder, connect J-scan or other method and perform ABS Bleed, Then power bleed one last time and you should be done.

 

[chrisbh17]

Yes, during the ABS Bleed someone needs to be holding the brake pedal down the whole time. When i did it i had my wife using J-scan and pressing the buttons while hold the brake. I just jumped around bleeding the position J-scan said to do.

Using a power bleeder is the first step, then remove the power bleeder, connect J-scan or other method and perform ABS Bleed, Then power bleed one last time and you should be done.

Thanks!

We've done the initial bleed already, though the truck has been driven since. ABS bleed seems easy enough so I may just try one to see what happens, then restart the process of all 3 bleeds if necessary.

 

[Guyfromthenorth]

I realize it'll be slow as molasses, but has anyone just gravity drained the system to replace the majority of "old" fluid? I've done this on other vehicles and my motorbikes, but not on my ram yet. Open the master reservoir lid, attach a hose to the furthest caliper bleeder downstream, crack the bleeder and let it drain into an oil catch pan while continuously topping up the reservoir until clear fluid is draining at the bleeder. Close the bleeder. Repeat for the other 3 calipers.

 

[NETim]

I realize it'll be slow as molasses, but has anyone just gravity drained the system to replace the majority of "old" fluid? I've done this on other vehicles and my motorbikes, but not on my ram yet. Open the master reservoir lid, attach a hose to the furthest caliper bleeder downstream, crack the bleeder and let it drain into an oil catch pan while continuously topping up the reservoir until clear fluid is draining at the bleeder. Close the bleeder. Repeat for the other 3 calipers.

I’ve always just pulled the majority of fluid out of the master cylinder using a turkey baster or the like. Refill and have at it. I don’t think there’s much of the old fluid left in the system after it’s all said and done.