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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 454 (Brake System-General Information) >> General Procedures >> Component Bleeding >> Master Cylinder Priming - In-Vehicle or Bench

Master Cylinder Priming - In-Vehicle or Bench

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING: Use of any brake fluid other than approved DOT 3 will cause permanent damage to brake components and will render the brakes inoperative. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
WARNING: Brake fluid contains polyglycol ethers and polyglycols. Avoid contact with eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
CAUTION: Brake fluid is harmful to painted or plastic surfaces. If brake fluid is spilled onto a painted or plastic surface, immediately wash it with water.
CAUTION: Do not allow the brake master cylinder reservoir to run dry during the bleeding operation. Keep the brake master cylinder reservoir filled with the specified brake fluid. Never reuse the brake fluid that has been drained from the hydraulic system.
NOTE: When any part of the hydraulic system has been disconnected for repair or installation, air can get into the system and cause spongy brake pedal action. This requires bleeding of the hydraulic system after it has been correctly connected. The hydraulic system can be bled manually or with pressure bleeding equipment.
NOTE: When the brake master cylinder has been installed new or the system has been emptied or partially emptied, it must be primed to prevent air from entering the system.
  1. For in-vehicle priming, disconnect the brake lines from the brake master cylinder.
    Fig 1: Disconnecting Brake Lines From Brake Master Cylinder
    G03273087Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. For bench priming, mount the brake master cylinder in a vise.
    Fig 2: Mounting Brake Master Cylinder In A Vise
    G03273088Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Install short brake tubes with the ends bent into the brake master cylinder reservoir.
    • Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with DOT 3 brake fluid.
      Fig 3: Installing Short Brake Tubes With Ends Bent Into Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
      G03273089Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. If equipped with speed control, for a new brake master cylinder, remove the speed control deactivator switch.
    Fig 4: Removing Speed Control Deactivator Switch
    G03273090Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Fill the speed control deactivator switch with the DOT 3 brake fluid.
    Fig 5: Filling Speed Control Deactivator Switch
    G03273091Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Install the speed control deactivator switch.
    Fig 6: Installing Speed Control Deactivator Switch
    G03273092Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  7. Slowly press the primary piston or, for in-vehicle priming, have an assistant slowly pump the brake pedal until clear brake fluid flows from both brake tubes with no air bubbles.
  8. If necessary, install the brake master cylinder into the vehicle. For additional information, refer to DISC & DRUM article.
  9. Remove the short brake tubes and install the master cylinder outlet tubes.
    Fig 7: Installing Master Cylinder Outlet Tubes
    G03273093Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  10. Loosen a brake inlet tube at the 4WABS hydraulic control unit (HCU).
    Fig 8: Loosening Brake Inlet Tube At 4WABS Hydraulic Control Unit
    G03273094Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    11. NOTE: Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
  11. Have an assistant apply and hold the brake pedal.
  12. Tighten the inlet tube fitting at the HCU.
    Fig 9: Tightening Inlet Tube Fitting At HCU
    G03273095Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Repeat the above three steps until no air bubbles are seen in the expelled brake fluid.
  14. Repeat the above four steps for the remaining 4WABS hydraulic control unit inlet tube.
    Fig 10: Loosening Brake Tube At 4WABS Hydraulic Control Unit
    G03273096Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Connect one end of a flexible tube to the master cylinder bleeder screw. Submerge the other end in a container partially filled with the specified brake fluid.
    Fig 11: Bleeding Master Cylinder At Master Cylinder Bleeder Screw
    G03273097Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Have an assistant pump and then hold firm pressure on the brake pedal.
    17. NOTE: Refill the brake master cylinder reservoir as necessary.
  17. Loosen the master cylinder bleeder screw until brake fluid flows out of the drain tube.
  18. Tighten the master cylinder bleeder screw.
    Fig 12: Tightening Master Cylinder Bleeder Screw
    G03273098Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  19. Repeat the above three steps until there are no air bubbles in the expelled brake fluid.
  20. Bleed the brake system. For additional information, refer to BLEEDING - SYSTEM .
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