How do you bleed the brakes on a 1989 F150?

Answer 1

This takes a while but will save time in the long run. Start with the right rear and bleed it by having someone pump the pedaL ONE TIME then opening the bleeder screw. Keep this up until you get fresh fluid and no bubles out. Then go to the left rear then right front and finally left front. Make sure the master cyl doesn't run dry of fluid or you have to start over. AGAIN, DON'T PUMP THE PEDAL. It just mixes the air in the fluid.

I have 1990 F150. If you have rear ABS like I do, you also have to bleed ABS unit.

Start with right rear, as stated in previous answer, and go to left rear, right front, left front and then ABS unit. The ABS unit is found on the frame, underneath the truck, on the driver's side. Follow the brake lines. It has a bleeder valve, also. One thing you can do, to make it a little easier, is to place a long piece of vacuum hose on the bleeder valve, with the other end in clear bottle or jar and allow it to bleed into this container. You can watch for bubbles this way, without having to open and close the bleeder valve with each pump of the pedal. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LET THE MASTER CYLINDER RUN OUT OF FLUID. You'll be pumping brakes for two days if you do to get it all out.

Once you are done, you may find that you still can "pump up" the brakes, indicating that there is still air in the lines. I did, and I had someone turn me on to a neat trick to "fix" that problem.

Before I continue, I will say this: WARNING: The following method may be dangerous, and I don't recommend you try it unless you are a good driver and have a safe location to perform it. I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IF YOU HURT YOURSELF, HURT OTHERS, DAMAGE YOUR VEHICLE OR CAUSE OTHER DAMAGE OR INJURY. Perform at your own risk.

If you have a dirt or gravel road anywhere in the vicinity of your location, where you can SAFELY do this, take your truck down a dirt/gravel road and, once you've reached a decent speed, 30 mph or so, lock your brakes down. It will kick in the ABS system, which will cycle the ABS pump, and pump both the fluid and air in the ABS unit back into the master cylinder. Do this two or three times and you should be okay. BE SURE THERE ARE NO OTHER CARS AROUND IF YOU DO THIS.

Again, and I cannot make this clear enough. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE OR HANDLE A VEHICLE IN A SKID, DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS. YOU CAN HURT YOURSELF OR OTHERS, AND YOU CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND/OR VEHICLES IF YOU LOSE CONTROL. I will not be responsible for any damage or injury you may cause. Remember, this can be dangerous and I have warned you. Perform this at your own risk.