how to bleed the foot brakes on a polaris sportsman atv

crammley · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2011, 03:14 PM

just replaced the back brake pads on my 04 sportsman. bleed some fluid out and it smells. should i empty all brake fluid? my foot brake needs a new piston from what i can tell. how hard is it to change? can i just use my hand brake for now to brake? and can I bleed the brakes with just the hand lever? i have new pads to go on front as well. then i will bleed the system. is there bleed screws on the front brakes as well as the back? do i need to loosen both bleed screws on the back? any help would be great.

**Bruce!** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2011, 04:53 PM

Welcome to the board!

elmerkit · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2011, 06:12 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum.

pjmartin · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2011, 02:57 AM

Brake fluid smells so it is probably OK. By piston, do you mean the stepped piston in the rear caliper or the foot brake master cylinder attached to the frame near the foot brake pedal? Piston and seals for the rear caliper is 2201869 and master cylinder is 1910301. Both are rather expensive in Canada.
Both hand brake and foot brake act on the rear caliper but they are independent, why you have two bleed screws. Yes there are bleed screws on the front calipers. Start bleeding the hand brake at the rear caliper first then do the fronts. Once that's done check the foot brake. I just fixed mine and the foot brake gave me fits. The hose going to the master cylinder comes from a small reservoir under the seat and it air-locked on me. Disconnect the hose at the cylinder and when fluid comes out re-attach it. Then bleed. Your foot brake master cylinder might be OK. You can use the quad with just the hand brake. I rarely use foot brake. It's there as a backup.