Bleeding the brake system (Defender 2007+)

General procedures

WARNING: Avoid contact with skin or eyes.

Warnings:

• Brake fluid can damage paintwork, if spilled, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water.
• Use only the correct grade of brake fluid. If fluid is required during assembly, use ONLY brake fluid. DO NOT use mineral oil, motor oil, etc.
• Thoroughly clean all brake calipers, lines and fittings before working on any part of the brake system. Failure to do so may allow foreign material to enter the system and damage seals and pistons, which will significantly reduce the effectiveness of the brake system. To maintain the guarantee of effective brake system operation, the following conditions must be observed:

• DO NOT USE any petroleum based cleaning products or any liquids containing gasoline.
• DO NOT USE brake fluid that has previously been drained from the system.
• DO NOT use any fluid other than the recommended brake fluid to flush the brake system. Drain the brake fluid and flush the brake system at the recommended service intervals. Carefully insulate all electrical terminals to completely eliminate the possibility of fluid coming into contact with the terminals and connectors.
• Carefully insulate all electrical terminals to completely eliminate the possibility of working fluid coming into contact with the terminals and connectors.
• During bleeding, the brake fluid level must not fall below the "MIN" mark. The reservoir must be filled to the "MAX" mark at all times.
• To remove air from the hydraulic circuits, four hydraulic nipples are provided, one on each caliper.

1. There are two possible ways to remove air from the brake system.

• 1. MANUAL AIR REMOVAL PROCEDURE
• 2. PRESSURIZED AIR REMOVAL PROCEDURE

2. Procedure for removing air under pressure

• 1. Land Rover vehicles may use specially designed equipment to fill and bleed hydraulic systems under pressure. The equipment manufacturer's instructions must be followed and the pressure must not exceed 4.5 bar.

3. Manual Air Removal Procedure Equipment Required

• 1. Receiving container made of transparent glass
• 2. Air removal hose
• 3. Wrench
• 4. Approximately 2 liters of brake fluid

4. Bleeding air from the master cylinder

• 1. Disconnect the ground cable from the battery.
• 2. Slowly press the brake pedal all the way down 5 times.
• 3. Release the pedal and wait 10 seconds.
• 4. Repeat these steps until you feel a strong resistance in the pedal.

5. Removing air from the entire circuit

• 1. Disconnect the ground cable from the battery.
• 2. Connect the air bleed hose to the nipple on the caliper.
• 3. Immerse the free end of the hose in a container of brake fluid used to remove air.
• 4. Open the air release nipple.
• 5. Press the brake pedal all the way down several times until all air bubbles disappear from the fluid.
• 6. Keeping the pedal fully depressed, tighten the valve, then release the pedal.
• 7. Repeat this procedure on the remaining calipers.
• 8. Install the caps on the nipples.
• 9. After completing the air bleeding, check the level/top up the working fluid.