How to bleed the brake fluid system 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500

Chapter 1:

Set up

Step 1/3

Turn off your vehicle’s ignition, set the parking brake, pull the hood release handle and open the hood.

Chapter 1:

Step 2/3

Remove any residual vacuum (or hydraulic pressure) from the brake power booster by applying the brake several times with the engine off.

Chapter 1:

Step 3/3

Open the brake fluid reservoir.

Chapter 2:

Renew the brake fluid

Step 1/2

In the case of a complete bleeding of the brake fluid circuit, you must start by emptying the used fluid using a pump.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/2

Then fill the reservoir with new fluid to the maximum level.

Chapter 3:

Informations

Step 1/4

When you bleed the brake fluid circuit, there is a bleeding order to follow. On this vehicle, the order is as follows:

Chapter 3:

Step 2/4

– passenger side rear wheel – driver’s side rear wheel

Chapter 3:

Step 3/4

– passenger side front wheel – driver’s side front wheel

Chapter 3:

Step 4/4

You will therefore have to successively lift each part of your vehicle, then remove each wheel in order to access the bleeders located on the brake calipers.

Chapter 4:

Prepare the rear bleeder

Step 1/3

Once the wheel is removed, you have access to the bleeder located on the brake caliper.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/3

Start by removing the stopping plug.

Chapter 4:

Step 3/3

If your caliper is in poor condition, take a wire brush and brush the bleeder clean before applying penetrating oil, to make sure you don’t break the trap if it gets rusty.

Chapter 5:

Bleed

Step 1/10

There are several tools to perform a brake fluid bleed.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/10

A wrench, a plastic tube and a jar may suffice.

Chapter 5:

Step 3/10

The rear bleeders are unscrewed using a 10 mm wrench.

Chapter 5:

Step 4/10

Simply put the wrench on the bleeder, then connect the plastic tube to the bleeder and let the end of the tube soak in the reservoir.

Chapter 5:

Step 5/10

Then just ask another person to lightly press the brake pedal.

Chapter 5:

Step 6/10

At this time, open the bleeder to let the brake fluid drain.

Chapter 5:

Step 7/10

Then close it again before air rises in the system.

Chapter 5:

Step 8/10

The assistant must then release the brake pedal.

Chapter 5:

Step 9/10

Then press again. Then you need to reopen the bleeder, and to close it again before the air rises in the system.

Chapter 5:

Step 10/10

Repeat this operation until there is no more air in the system.

Chapter 6:

Informations

Step 1/5

You can also use a vacuum purge tool.

Chapter 6:

Step 2/5

All you have to do is connect the tool, open the bleeder and suck up the brake fluid.

Chapter 6:

Step 3/5

Once the system has been purged, when a clear, bubble-free liquid flows out, all you have to do is close the bleeder and disconnect the tool.

Chapter 6:

Step 4/5

You can also use brake bleeder wrenches connected to a tube fitted with a non-return system, which prevents air from re-entering the circuit.

Chapter 6:

Step 5/5

Once the bleeder is open, simply pump the brake pedal gently to evacuate the air from the system and replace the old fluid with new.

Chapter 7:

Tips

Step 1/3

No matter what tool you use, it is important to regularly add brake fluid to the reservoir to prevent air from entering the master cylinder.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/3

It is even advisable to be assisted with this operation to prevent this error.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/3

Once the circuit has been bled, close the bleeder and remove the tool. Don’t forget to clean the bleeder with brake cleaner to remove all traces of brake fluid.

Chapter 8:

Bleed other bleeders

Step 1/1

For the front calipers, perform the same operation, this time using a 11 mm wrench.

Chapter 9:

Pre-start procedure

Step 1/3

Once all four wheels have been purged, fill the reservoir with new fluid to the maximum level.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/3

Once the bleeding is done, check that your brakes are working properly.

Chapter 9:

Step 3/3

The brake pedal should feel hard when pumped without being spongy.

Chapter 10:

Safety tips

Step 1/3

Warning: If you have any concern about the effectiveness of your braking system, do not use the vehicle.

Chapter 10:

Step 2/3

On models equipped with ABS, it is possible for air to be trapped in the hydraulic control unit of the anti-lock braking system.

Chapter 10:

Step 4/3

If the brake pedal remains soft after several bleedings or if the BRAKE or ANTI-LOCK indicator remains illuminated, have the vehicle towed to the dealer service center or another approved workshop to have it bled.