How To Get Air Out Of Brake Lines Without Bleeding

Bleeding brake lines can be one of the more tedious tasks to do with your vehicle. It is mostly an unpredictable experience, and you never really know when you’re done with it. 

The air tends to build up in the brake system when the vehicle is left unattended for a long period. It results in a very poor braking performance once the vehicle is driven again. 

The Process

First, jack up the car and detach the tire and wheel. This is to make finding the dirt in the brake line area easier.

Then clean any visible junk from the area. Dirt can promote air pockets to build up inside the brake lines.

Once it is clean and dried, you need to locate the bleeder bolts. These bolts are responsible for alleviating pressure created in the brake lines. 

Loosen the bleeder bolt using a wrench or your hands if you can. After this is done, you should attach tubing to the brake line opening and connect it to the bleeder valve. 

When that is set, have another person step on the brake pedal inside the vehicle. This process should be done repeatedly so that the old brake fluid will be flushed out completely. 

Once this process is complete, you can replace the brake fluid. Add some new brake fluid to the reservoir while having someone or something pressing on the brake pedal.

When enough of the fluid is added, tighten the bleeders. Ensure the brake line connections are properly lubricated and connected to the vehicle. 

Repeat these steps for the other three wheels, then add some fluid to the brake fluid reservoir. After all of these steps are completed, go for a test drive. 

It is important to ensure that everything is clean and there is no visible gunk throughout the entire process. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are brake lines?

Brake lines are what turn the action of you stepping on the brake pedal into actual braking motion for your vehicle. These act as a way to transfer brake fluid from the cylinder into the brake calipers for you to decelerate.

Most modern vehicles have a hydraulic brake system where these brake lines are found. These are some of the most important parts of the car to maintain. 

It is easy and relatively cheap to maintain and replace the fluid in these brake lines as well. This shouldn’t be overlooked because faulty brake lines may lead to fatal accidents. 

What are the reasons for air pockets in the brake lines?

There are a lot of reasons for air buildup in the brake lines. One of them is just wearing and tear from using the vehicle. 

Another reason is if there is dirt or other foreign components in the fluid. This debris can create air gaps in the brake lines. 

Faulty connections from the brake lines to the vehicle can also be another thing. Ensure that the connections are clean and well lubricated to avoid small pieces breaking off. 

How much Brake fluid do I need?

You will probably need a couple of brake fluid quarts if you plan to flush it out and replace it. The maximum brake fluid you can put into your reservoir will depend on the vehicle.

How much is this service when done at a shop?

It depends on which shop you have the service done and the model of your vehicle. Generally, it would probably cost around $80 to $200 for regular cars to have this service done by a mechanic.