This tutorial is also available in French
➔
Brake system bleeding on Defender
Vehicle ➔ Defender 110 Td5 year 2002
Difficulty ➔ Easy
Time ➔ 1 hour
Summary
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Here are the 2 reasons why we need to regularly change the brake fluid :
• Over time, the brake fluid loses its anti-corrosion properties. The hydraulic system is no longer protected and may rust.
• Over time, the brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air and becomes saturated with water. Its boiling point is then reduced. During repeated braking, the brakes will heat up, the brake fluid may boil and release gas. Since gas is compressible, the car will no longer brake.
• Over time, the brake fluid loses its anti-corrosion properties. The hydraulic system is no longer protected and may rust.
• Over time, the brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air and becomes saturated with water. Its boiling point is then reduced. During repeated braking, the brakes will heat up, the brake fluid may boil and release gas. Since gas is compressible, the car will no longer brake.
Brake fluid is extremely aggressive to paint. Be careful not to spill any on the bodywork. Clean any stains immediately with a cloth and water.
Always use new brake fluid. Never put used fluid back into the brake master cylinder reservoir.
Used oils, brake fluids, seals and filters are hazardous waste for the environment. They must in no circumstances be thrown neither in the natural environment, nor in the sanitation network, nor in household waste. They must be deposited in a recycling center.
Defender special features
The Defender's hydraulic brake system includes 2 independent and separate circuits. This allows it to maintain a reduced braking capacity in the event of a malfunction of one of the circuits. This is why the master cylinder reservoir has 2 compartments :
• The front compartment supplies the secondary circuit which operates the front brake calipers.
• The rear compartment supplies the primary circuit which operates the rear brake calipers.
• The front compartment supplies the secondary circuit which operates the front brake calipers.
• The rear compartment supplies the primary circuit which operates the rear brake calipers.
When you empty the brake master cylinder reservoir, remember to empty both compartments.
We have emptied the brake master cylinder reservoir by sucking out the old fluid with a suction syringe. This method prevents air from entering the hydraulic braking circuit. This will make bleeding easier, especially on Defenders equipped with ABS.
Allow about 2 liters of brake fluid to fill and bleed the brake system.
The Eezibleed kit
The Eezibleed kit allows you to bleed the brake or clutch hydraulic systems by yourself without pressing the pedals. No need to purchase the kit if you have a friend to help you. In this case, you can use the traditional method of bleeding when your assistant presses the brake or clutch pedal.
The Eezibleed kit is powered by compressed air from the spare wheel, which you will need to deflate beforehand to 1.4 bar maximum. For our part, we prefer to go down to 1.0 bar to avoid any risk of brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder reservoir cap.
The Eezibleed kit comes with several reservoir caps. Simply select the cap suitable for the master cylinder reservoir.
When bleeding, the master cylinder reservoir empties much more slowly because it is automatically supplied with new brake fluid by the Eezibleed bottle. It is therefore unnecessary to constantly monitor the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir in order to prevent air from entering the hydraulic system. However, you should still check the Eezibleed bottle from time to time.
Required Tools
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Empty the brake master cylinder reservoir
Op 01
Disconnect the 2 connectors from the brake fluid level sensor. Pull by hand.
Op 02
Remove the master cylinder reservoir cap. Unscrew by hand.
Op 03
Empty the master cylinder reservoir. Use the syringe.
Empty the rear compartment (2nd photo) and the front compartment (3rd photo).
Install the Eezibleed kit
Op 04
Select the Eezibleed kit cap adapted to the brake master cylinder reservoir.
Check that it screws perfectly onto the reservoir.
Op 05
Assemble the cap on the kit hose using the seals and nut provided with the Eezibleed kit. Use the 11 mm spanner.
Do not forget to fit the seals on either side of the cap as indicated in the instructions.
Op 06
Hang the Eezibleed bottle near the brake master cylinder reservoir. Use the hook included in the kit.
Fit the cap on the master cylinder reservoir. Screw on by hand.
Do not fill the Eezibleed bottle for now because we will first check the tightness of our installation. This check is essential because if there is a leak at the master cylinder reservoir cap, the brake fluid contained in the bottle will flow and flood the bulkhead.
Before screwing, check that the cap seal is correctly positioned.
Do not overtighten the cap on the reservoir. Screw it until you feel the seal contact the reservoir and tighten an additional 1/8th of a turn.
Op 07
Check the spare wheel pressure. Use the pressure gauge.
Deflate the wheel to reach the maximum of 1.4 bar.
Gunson, the manufacturer of the Eezibleed kit, recommends a maximum pressure of 1.4 bar. For our part, we prefer to go down to 1.0 bar to avoid any risk of brake fluid leaking from the reservoir cap.
Op 08
Connect the Eezibleed kit to the spare wheel.
Check that there are no air leaks at the master cylinder reservoir.
Disconnect the Eezibleed kit from the spare wheel.
Always disconnect the spare wheel before unscrewing the master cylinder cap or the bottle cap.
Op 09
Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir and the Eezibleed bottle with new DOT4 brake fluid.
Hang the Eezibleed bottle again.
Screw the Eezibleed cap onto the master cylinder reservoir.
Connect the Eezibleed kit to the spare wheel again.
Make sure that the bottle is almost in a vertical position. Check that the end of the plastic hose touches the bottom of the bottle (3rd photo).
Op 10
Fit the bleed hose (included in the Eezibleed kit) on the used brake fluid recovery tank.
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Bleed the brake system
Op 11
Remove the cap from the bleed screw on the RH rear wheel caliper. Pull by hand or use a flathead screwdriver.
The RH rear wheel is located on our right when we are driving the vehicle.
Legend has it that we must start bleeding the brake system with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder and end with the closest (i.e. RH rear, LH rear, RH front, LH front on our car which is left hand drive). Unfortunately, no one remembers the reason for this rule anymore. We nevertheless followed this recommendation. It doesn't take longer and we never know.
Op 12
Position the 11 mm combination spanner on the bleed screw. Do not loosen it for now.
Engage the bleed hose on the bleed screw. Push by hand.
Op 13
Unscrew the bleed screw by 1/4 turn. Use the 11 mm spanner.
Let the used brake fluid flow as long as there are air bubbles.
Tighten the bleed screw. Use the 11 mm spanner.
You will certainly notice a difference in color between the used brake fluid (darker) and the new brake fluid (lighter). If so, let it flow until the new brake fluid arrives.
Check regularly that there is always brake fluid in the Eezibleed bottle. Add more if necessary. It is essential to prevent air from entering the hydraulic brake system.
Op 14
Disconnect the bleed hose.
Remove the spanner.
Position the bleed screw cap.
Op 15
Bleed the LH rear wheel caliper. Repeat the same operations as before.
Op 16
Bleed the RH front wheel caliper.
Op 17
Bleed the LH front wheel caliper.
Op 18
Disconnect the Eezibleed kit from the spare wheel.
Remove the Eezibleed kit cap. Unscrew by hand.
Before unscrewing the cap, position the Eezibleed bottle lower than the brake master cylinder reservoir and wait for the hose to empty into the bottle. This will prevent spilling the brake fluid contained in the hose onto the bulkhead.
Op 19
Top up the brake master cylinder reservoir. Add or remove DOT4 brake fluid if necessary.
The minimum and maximum levels are marked on the left side of the master cylinder reservoir (2nd photo).
Op 20
Fit the brake master cylinder reservoir cap. Screw on by hand.
Connect the 2 connectors to the brake fluid level sensor. Push by hand.
The 2 connectors do not have a specific position. It doesn't matter which order you connect them to the brake fluid level sensor.
When the bleeding operation is complete, always clean the Eezibleed kit elements (bottle, cap, hoses and seals) with brake cleaner. Over time, the brake fluid could attack the rubbers and plastics.
Op 21
Check that the brake pedal is firm. Press with your foot.
Op 22
Take a road test to check that the brake system is working perfectly.
The End
