LaCrosse V6-3.8L (2009)
Brake Bleeding: Service and Repair
Manual
Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Manual)
Warning: Refer to Brake Fluid Irritant Warning (See: Brakes and Traction Control/Service Precautions/Technician Safety Information/Brake
Fluid Irritant Warning).
Caution: Refer to Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Caution (See: Brakes and Traction Control/Service Precautions/Vehicle
Damage Warnings).
1. Place a clean shop cloth beneath the brake master cylinder to prevent brake fluid spills.
2. With the ignition OFF and the brakes cool, apply the brakes 3-5 times, or until the brake pedal effort increases significantly, in order to deplete the
brake booster power reserve.
3. If you have performed a brake master cylinder bench bleeding on this vehicle, or if you disconnected the brake pipes from the master cylinder, you
must perform the following steps:
1. Ensure that the brake master cylinder reservoir is full to the maximum-fill level. If necessary, add GM approved brake fluid from a clean,
sealed brake fluid container. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations (USA and Canada) (See: Service Intervals).
If removal of the reservoir cap and diaphragm is necessary, clean the outside of the reservoir on and around the cap prior to removal.
2. With the rear brake pipe installed securely to the master cylinder, loosen and separate the front brake pipe from the front port of the brake
master cylinder.
3. Allow a small amount of brake fluid to gravity bleed from the open port of the master cylinder.
4. Reconnect the brake pipe to the master cylinder port and tighten securely.
5. Have an assistant slowly depress the brake pedal fully and maintain steady pressure on the pedal.
6. Loosen the same brake pipe to purge air from the open port of the master cylinder.
7. Tighten the brake pipe, then have the assistant slowly release the brake pedal.
8. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 3.3-3.7 until all air is purged from the same port of the master cylinder.
9. With the front brake pipe installed securely to the master cylinder, after all air has been purged from the front port of the master cylinder,
loosen and separate the rear brake pipe from the master cylinder, then repeat steps 3.3-3.8.
10. After completing the final master cylinder port bleeding procedure, ensure that both of the brake pipe-to-master cylinder fittings are properly
tightened.
4. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Ensure that the brake master
cylinder reservoir remains at least half-full during this bleeding procedure. Add fluid as needed to maintain the proper level. Refer to Master
Cylinder Reservoir Filling (See: Brakes and Traction Control/Hydraulic System/Brake Master Cylinder/Service and Repair/Procedures/Master
Cylinder Reservoir Filling).
Clean the outside of the reservoir on and around the reservoir cap prior to removing the cap and diaphragm.
5. Install a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT REAR wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
6. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve.
7. Submerge the open end of the transparent hose into a transparent container partially filled with GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed
brake fluid container.
8. Have an assistant slowly depress the brake pedal fully and maintain steady pressure on the pedal.
9. Loosen the bleeder valve to purge air from the wheel hydraulic circuit.
10. Tighten the bleeder valve, then have the assistant slowly release the brake pedal.
11. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 8-10 until all air is purged from the same wheel hydraulic circuit.
12. With the right rear wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely, after all air has been purged from the right rear hydraulic circuit,
install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT FRONT wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
13. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat steps 7-11.
14. With the left front wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely, after all air has been purged from the left front hydraulic circuit, install
a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT REAR wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
15. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat steps 7-11.
16. With the left rear wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely, after all air has been purged from the left rear hydraulic circuit, install a
proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT FRONT wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
17. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat steps 7-11.
18. After completing the final wheel hydraulic circuit bleeding procedure, ensure that each of the 4 wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valves are properly
tightened.
19. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-fill level with GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
20. Slowly depress and release the brake pedal. Observe the feel of the brake pedal.
Note: If it is determined that air was induced into the system upstream of the ABS modulator prior to servicing, the Antilock Brake System
Automated Bleed Procedure (See: ) must be performed.
21. If the brake pedal feels spongy, repeat the bleeding procedure again. If the brake pedal still feels spongy after repeating the bleeding procedure,
perform the following steps:
