Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2004 Mazda 6 L4-2.3LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Brake Bleeding: Service and Repair
AIR BLEEDING
Caution: Maintain the fluid level in the reservoir tank proper while bleeding the air.
Specified fluid SAE J1703, FMVSS 116 DOT3
Note: The brakes should be bled whenever a brake line is disconnected. If a hydraulic line is disconnected at the master cylinder, start at the slave cylinder farthest from the brake master cylinder, and move to the next farthest slave cylinder until all four cylinders have been bled. If the disconnection point is anywhere except the master cylinder, start at the point closest to the disconnection, and move to the next closest slave cylinder until all four cylinders have been bled.
1. Remove the bleeder cap and attach a vinyl tube to the bleeder screw.
2. Place the other end of the vinyl tube in a clear, fluid-filled container.
3. One person should depress the brake pedal a few times, and then hold it in the depressed position.
4. A second person should loosen the bleeder screw, drain out the fluid and close the screw using the SST.
Tightening torque
Front: 6.9 - 9.8 Nm (71 - 99 kgf-cm, 62 - 86 inch lbs.)
Rear: 5.9 - 8.8 Nm (61 - 89 kgf-cm, 53 - 77 inch lbs.)
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until no air bubbles are seen.
6. Bleed air from each component by following the procedure above.
7. After air bleeding, check the following:
^ Brake operation
^ Fluid leakage
^ Fluid level
Caution: Maintain the fluid level in the reservoir tank proper while bleeding the air.
Specified fluid SAE J1703, FMVSS 116 DOT3
Note: The brakes should be bled whenever a brake line is disconnected. If a hydraulic line is disconnected at the master cylinder, start at the slave cylinder farthest from the brake master cylinder, and move to the next farthest slave cylinder until all four cylinders have been bled. If the disconnection point is anywhere except the master cylinder, start at the point closest to the disconnection, and move to the next closest slave cylinder until all four cylinders have been bled.
1. Remove the bleeder cap and attach a vinyl tube to the bleeder screw.
2. Place the other end of the vinyl tube in a clear, fluid-filled container.
3. One person should depress the brake pedal a few times, and then hold it in the depressed position.
4. A second person should loosen the bleeder screw, drain out the fluid and close the screw using the SST.
Tightening torque
Front: 6.9 - 9.8 Nm (71 - 99 kgf-cm, 62 - 86 inch lbs.)
Rear: 5.9 - 8.8 Nm (61 - 89 kgf-cm, 53 - 77 inch lbs.)
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until no air bubbles are seen.
6. Bleed air from each component by following the procedure above.
7. After air bleeding, check the following:
^ Brake operation
^ Fluid leakage
^ Fluid level
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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