Brake Fluid Pressure Bleeding

[SALEEN961]

Now that my F150 is 2 years old it was time to change my brake fluid and as many other people may have noticed, the procedures for doing brake system maintenance and repairs on the 2021+ F150 have changed from earlier model years. Our trucks need to be put into brake maintenance mode anytime you remove or service any brake system component.

Activation

WARNING: Service actions on vehicles equipped with electronic parking brakes may cause unexpected parking brake application, which could result in injury to hands or fingers. Put the electronic parking brake system into service mode prior to servicing or removing rear brake components. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Service actions on vehicles equipped with electronic brake booster without activating the brake system service mode may result in unexpected hydraulic brake application or a false leak detection DTC. This will significantly reduce the performance of the brake system. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

NOTE: Brake service mode is also known as brake maintenance mode.
NOTE: Prior to carrying out the brake service mode activation steps below, clear all EPB and EBB related DTC's.
NOTE: Carry out the following service mode activation procedure to deactivate the EPB and EBB systems. The EPB and EBB system can also be deactivated using the diagnostic scan tool and following the on-screen instructions.
NOTE: This mode is required to deactivate the brake boost and to allow the entire brake system to be bleed manually.
NOTE: This mode will cause all the associated brake warning indicators and text messages to appear.

1. Set the ignition to ON.
2. Press the brake pedal and release the EPB .
3. Release the brake pedal.
4. Press and hold the accelerator pedal and place the EPB switch to the RELEASE (downward) position. Continue to hold the accelerator pedal and EPB switch.
5. Set the ignition to OFF then set the ignition to ON within 5 seconds. Continue to hold the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
6. Set the ignition to OFF then release the accelerator pedal and EPB switch.
   • NOTE: The brake system will be deactivated, preventing brake application until service has been completed and service mode has been deactivated. The yellow EPB indicator will be illuminated and Maintenance Mode will display on the message center.
   • NOTE: When replacing brake pads in service mode, the brake caliper piston must be compressed into the caliper housing. The brake caliper piston does not have to be rotated while compressing the piston.

Deactivation

NOTICE: The brake system performance will be significantly reduced when the brake system is put in service mode.

NOTE: Carry out the following Brake Maintenance Mode deactivation procedure to activate the EBB and EPB systems. These systems can also be activated using the diagnostic scan tool and following the on-screen instructions.

1. Set the ignition to ON.
2. Press and hold the accelerator pedal.
3. Place the EPB switch in the APPLY (upward) position. Continue to hold the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
4. Firmly press the brake pedal for at least 1 second. Release the brake pedal while continuing to hold the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
5. Set the ignition to OFF then set the ignition to ON within 5 seconds, then release the accelerator pedal and the EPB switch.
   • NOTE: Once the ignition is set to ON, the EPB system will immediately apply and release the parking brake to guarantee sufficient air gap between the rear brake pads and brake disc. If the EPB switch is not released prior to completion of this sequence, it will apply the EPB . The EPB will have to released prior to moving the vehicle.
   • NOTE: When Brake Maintenance Mode is deactivated, the Yellow Parking Brake and Red Brake Warning Indicators turn off and "Brake Maintenance Mode" no longer displays in the message center.

On our trucks the factory approved and recommended method for bleeding the brakes is using a pressure bleeder and following the prompts on the scan tool. Ford also recommends an unusually high bleeding pressure, if I remember correctly my scan tool prompted me to set the pressure to 30-50psi, but most pressure bleeders only operate at 15-25psi maximum pressure.

I used a Mityvac MV7102 with the 45mm European MVA804 master cylinder adapter. I completed the whole bleed procedure with it set to 20psi and I used 2 liters of Ate SL.6 DOT4 low viscosity brake fluid.

The whole process was very quick and easy, but it would be a good idea to make sure your master cylinder reservoir is filled to the max level line before starting. If you run the level a little too low and get an air bubble in the system, you will set DTCs and get warning lights on the dash that can only be cleared by re-running the bleed procedure until no leaks or air bubbles and detected during the system check.

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[fordtruckman2003]

Interesting. I have a pressure bleed canister that gets pumped up by hand.

 

[Tomatoboy]

So, am I getting this right from videos, is having a copy of FDRS the easiest way to do this process?

 

[SALEEN961]

So, am I getting this right from videos, is having a copy of FDRS the easiest way to do this process?

I used my Autel scan tool for the automated bleed procedure, I'm not sure if you would need FDRS or IDS to complete this using Ford's software. I imagine Forscan will probably have this function at some point if it isn't part of it already.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Only video I found was these guys crying about it.



I thought you put in brake maintenance mode and it will bleed traditional style?

 

[SALEEN961]

Only video I found was these guys crying about it.

I thought you put in brake maintenance mode and it will bleed traditional style?

In theory you can, but after doing these services on multiple vehicles I've found that running the automated bleed procedure with a pressure bleeder is the best method for avoiding issues like false "line leak" or "air in line" codes.

 

[TruckGuy2020]

Now that my F150 is 2 years old it was time to change my brake fluid and as many other people may have noticed, the procedures for doing brake system maintenance and repairs on the 2021+ F150 have changed from earlier model years. Our trucks need to be put into brake maintenance mode anytime you remove or service any brake system component.



On our trucks the factory approved and recommended method for bleeding the brakes is using a pressure bleeder and following the prompts on the scan tool. Ford also recommends an unusually high bleeding pressure, if I remember correctly my scan tool prompted me to set the pressure to 30-50psi, but most pressure bleeders only operate at 15-25psi maximum pressure.

I used a Mityvac MV7102 with the 45mm European MVA804 master cylinder adapter. I completed the whole bleed procedure with it set to 20psi and I used 2 liters of Ate SL.6 DOT4 low viscosity brake fluid.

The whole process was very quick and easy, but it would be a good idea to make sure your master cylinder reservoir is filled to the max level line before starting. If you run the level a little too low and get an air bubble in the system, you will set DTCs and get warning lights on the dash that can only be cleared by re-running the bleed procedure until no leaks or air bubbles and detected during the system check.

Can you show where the full procedure is listed and or a tutorial for how to DIY this? I don't mind going out and buying the right equipment as long as it's reasonable. I'd rather not pay the dealer but I've never done brakes before.

 

[SALEEN961]

Can you show where the full procedure is listed and or a tutorial for how to DIY this? I don't mind going out and buying the right equipment as long as it's reasonable. I'd rather not pay the dealer but I've never done brakes before.

The specific procedure will vary depending on what pressure bleeding system you use and what scan tool you use. The official procedure listed in the service manual is: "Step 1: Carry out the brake system pressure bleeding using the diagnostic scan tool following the on-screen instructions. Step 2: Road test the vehicle."

Generally speaking, you will make sure your brake fluid is at the max fill line, connect your pressure bleeder following the manufacturers instructions, connect your scan tool, start the brake bleeding procedure listed in the scan tool, and follow the prompts on the scan tool.

The scan tool prompts will say something to the effect of "connect pressure bleeder and set pressure to a specific range", "open LF bleeder, wait 60 seconds or until fluid is free from air, then close bleeder" after closing the bleeder you will hit "next" or "ok" on the scan tool and it will give you the same prompt for the RF, LR, and RR bleeders. In the end it should run a leak check and an air check to ensure everything is working properly.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I assume FDRS or Forscan have that ability? ?

 

[SALEEN961]

I assume FDRS or Forscan have that ability? ?

It looks like FDRS is the software Ford uses for the brake bleeding procedure. I'm not sure if Forscan has this function as I've never looked for it. I normally use my Autel or a Snap On scan tool when I bleed brakes at work.

 

[lrequa92]

Now that my F150 is 2 years old it was time to change my brake fluid and as many other people may have noticed, the procedures for doing brake system maintenance and repairs on the 2021+ F150 have changed from earlier model years. Our trucks need to be put into brake maintenance mode anytime you remove or service any brake system component.



On our trucks the factory approved and recommended method for bleeding the brakes is using a pressure bleeder and following the prompts on the scan tool. Ford also recommends an unusually high bleeding pressure, if I remember correctly my scan tool prompted me to set the pressure to 30-50psi, but most pressure bleeders only operate at 15-25psi maximum pressure.

I used a Mityvac MV7102 with the 45mm European MVA804 master cylinder adapter. I completed the whole bleed procedure with it set to 20psi and I used 2 liters of Ate SL.6 DOT4 low viscosity brake fluid.

The whole process was very quick and easy, but it would be a good idea to make sure your master cylinder reservoir is filled to the max level line before starting. If you run the level a little too low and get an air bubble in the system, you will set DTCs and get warning lights on the dash that can only be cleared by re-running the bleed procedure until no leaks or air bubbles and detected during the system check.

While in brake maintenance mode, does that allow fluid to flush through the ABS module or do you have to operate it with a scan tool while doing the bleeding?

 

[SALEEN961]

While in brake maintenance mode, does that allow fluid to flush through the ABS module or do you have to operate it with a scan tool while doing the bleeding?

When you run the bleed procedure with a scan tool, it should flush fluid through all of the hydraulic circuits. If you attempt to do a manual brake bleed while in brake maintenance mode, there may be some circuits in the Electric Brake Booster that don't get flushed, but I can't find any official documentation that specifically says this.

Failing to do a complete flush of every circuit in the Electric Brake Booster shouldn't be an issue unless the fluid is contaminated or there is air in the system, but I would always prefer to do a complete flush as opposed to a partial.

 

[lrequa92]

When you run the bleed procedure with a scan tool, it should flush fluid through all of the hydraulic circuits. If you attempt to do a manual brake bleed while in brake maintenance mode, there may be some circuits in the Electric Brake Booster that don't get flushed, but I can't find any official documentation that specifically says this.

Failing to do a complete flush of every circuit in the Electric Brake Booster shouldn't be an issue unless the fluid is contaminated or there is air in the system, but I would always prefer to do a complete flush as opposed to a partial.

So as long as I’m in brake maintenance mode and I attach my pressure bleeder, I can manually flush at each caliper? Do I technically need FDRS or a scan tool? What I’m gathering is the scan tool procedure is basically just guiding you and telling you what to do.

 

[SALEEN961]

So as long as I’m in brake maintenance mode and I attach my pressure bleeder, I can manually flush at each caliper? Do I technically need FDRS or a scan tool? What I’m gathering is the scan tool procedure is basically just guiding you and telling you what to do.

Bleeding your brakes in the manner you described SHOULD work without any issues if you keep the master cylinder reservoir at the max fill level the entire time. The risk in manually bleeding your brakes is that if you end up setting a "line leak" or "air in line" code, you will need to run the scan tool bleed procedure to clear it. This is going to occur with vacuum bleeders and manually pumping the pedal way more often than it will occur with a good pressure bleeder.

If you aren't able to run the scan tool bleed procedure on your own, setting these codes can be a frustrating problem. If you have the ability to use FDRS or scan tool just in case this happens, you should be fine.

 

[lrequa92]

Bleeding your brakes in the manner you described SHOULD work without any issues if you keep the master cylinder reservoir at the max fill level the entire time. The risk in manually bleeding your brakes is that if you end up setting a "line leak" or "air in line" code, you will need to run the scan tool bleed procedure to clear it. This is going to occur with vacuum bleeders and manually pumping the pedal way more often than it will occur with a good pressure bleeder.

If you aren't able to run the scan tool bleed procedure on your own, setting these codes can be a frustrating problem. If you have the ability to use FDRS or scan tool just in case this happens, you should be fine.

Ok cool. Thanks for the reply! I have the same pressure bleeder that you used on your truck. I bought 2 liters of pentosin dot 4 LV brake fluid to use. My scan tool is an Xtool D7. I’m not sure if it has the brake bleeding procedure so I will have to check it out.

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