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How to Bleed the Brakes on a UTV or ATV

By Kelly Wheatley | How-To on October 26, 2022
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Today we’re bringing you another maintenance guide as part of our machine maintenance series. We’ve covered the 7 signs you need to change your brakes. But what about actually servicing your brakes?

Let’s face it—UTVs and ATVs aren’t the easiest machines to maintain. They require a lot of work to keep them functioning as they should. You may be someone who likes to take their rig to be serviced at a dealer. That’s perfectly fine, but it can be pretty costly depending on how you ride and the replacement parts you invest in.

Have you thought about servicing your rig yourself? It can save you a Benjamin or two, and it can get you back on the trail much quicker.

Today’s guide will help you to do just that—we’re going to review how you can bleed the breaks on your UTV or ATV yourself.

brake system
Your UTV brake system is something that needs to be checked every time you get your machine serviced.
Photo by ATV Legion

How Hydraulic Brake Systems Work

Hydraulic brake systems use brake fluid to transfer energy from the brake pedals to the brake calipers. There’s a piston inside the caliper that activates after the brake fluid puts pressure on it. Once the brake fluid puts pressure on the piston, the piston will then push against the brake pad which forces against the brake disc creating friction and making your wheels stop.

If you notice that it’s taking longer for your machine to stop, you find a leak, or you’re changing your brake pads then it’s probably time to bleed your brakes.

What Does it Mean to Bleed Your Brakes?

Well you see, it’s when your calipers pinch your brake pads so hard they start oozing tons of blood.

No, we’re only kidding.

Bleeding the brakes on your machine means letting out some of the brake fluid to remove trapped air or to replace the brake fluid altogether.

There are two ways to bleed your brakes: manually or by vacuuming. We’ll cover both and give you a step-by-step process so you can choose which way is best for you.

brake lines
Check out our Polaris RZR Brake lines if you need a complete brake line replacement.
Photo by SuperATV

How to Bleed Your Brakes the Standard (Manual) Way

Tools and Parts Needed:

  • A jack
  • A wheel nut tool
  • Small impact driver
  • 8 mm wrench
  • A clamp
  • Brake fluid—you’ll want to double-check the manufacturer’s requirements.
  • A bucket to collect old brake fluid

Step-By-Step

  1. Take your jack and raise your rig so you can get underneath.
  2. Take your wheels off using your wheel nut tool and set them to the side.
  3. Locate and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. If you’re having a hard time removing the screws, use your small impact driver by giving it a light tap.
  4. Clean the cap and rubber diaphragm thoroughly.
  5. Top the brake fluid up to the maximum level mark.
  6. Pump the brake lever or foot pedal 3 to 4 times. Use your clamp to help you keep the brake under tension.
  7. Open the bleeder valve using your 8 mm wrench and let the brake fluid drain into your bucket.
  8. Close the bleeder valve when the brake lever or foot pedal reaches about 80% of its overall travel.
  9. Repeat step 7 and 8 until the brake fluid that comes from the bleeder is completely free of air bubbles.
  10. Do steps 1-9 again on all four wheels.
  11. Top off the brake fluid reservoir.
  12. Replace the lid and rubber diaphragm.

Negatives of the Standard Method

The master cylinder on a UTV or ATV is much smaller than what you would find on a car. Therefore, bleeding your brakes can be a little trickier. Due to their small size, the amount of fluid that is pushed every time you pump the brake is smaller. There may not be enough fluid to efficiently push the air out before you’d have to start the process all over again.

It’s not a quick process. It can take a while to completely flush the brake system, especially if you’re having trouble getting the air out of the line.

So, if the standard way doesn’t work? Then what?

brake system
Air is lighter than brake fluid—therefore the air will want to go in the opposite direction of the bleeding valve. Gravity is not your friend here.
Photo by Dirt Wheels Magazine

Vacuum Method to Bleeding Your Brakes

Tools and Parts Needed:

  • A jack
  • A wheel nut tool
  • Small impact driver
  • 8 mm wrench
  • A clamp
  • Brake fluid—you’ll want to double-check the manufacturer’s requirements.
  • A bucket to collect old brake fluid
  • Hydraulic brake bleeder tool
Vacuum Bleed Tool
Any brake bleeder kit will work. They’re pretty low cost and you can get them from any store that sells automotive parts.
Photo by Beduan

Step-By-Step

  1. Take your jack and raise your rig so you can get underneath.
  2. Take your wheels off using your wheel nut tool and set them to the side.
  3. Locate and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. If you’re having a hard time removing the screws, use your small impact driver by giving it a light tap.
  4. Clean the cap and rubber diaphragm thoroughly.
  5. Connect the vacuum pump to the bleeder valve.
  6. Activate the pump and open the bleed valve halfway and let the brake fluid drain into your bucket.
  7. If levels are starting to drop low, retighten the bleed valve, deactivate your tool and add more brake fluid.
  8. Continue bleeding until a steady stream of clear brake fluid flows inside the hose connected to the bleed valve.
  9. Tighten the bleed valve.
  10. Remove the vacuum tool.
  11. Repeat steps 1 through 10 on all your brake lines.
  12. Top off the brake fluid reservoir.
  13. Reinstall the lid.

What if You Don’t Bleed Your UTV or ATV’s Brakes?

If you don’t bleed your brakes, the brake fluid will eventually become more and more saturated with water because brake fluid has a hygroscopic nature, which means it absorbs water from its environment. Therefore, the amount of time it takes for your machine to stop after pressing your breaks will get longer and longer until your rig doesn’t stop at all.

And if you leave them unchecked for so long they can start to rust your brake rotors and your calipers.

Bring a SuperATV Expert into Your Garage

We get it, there’s a lot to maintaining your ride, and some parts are harder to service than others. That’s why we’ve made it possible for you to bring a mechanic to your garage. Check out our virtual mechanic by appointment—all you have to do is select your appointment time, provide some information, and wait for us to call you.

Virtual Mechanic
We can help you install a new disc brake kit, brake pads, brake lines, and more.
Photo by SuperATV
RELATED CONTENT: brake lines1 brakes1 machine maintenance53
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