How do you bleed the brakes on a 2000 Chevy S-10 after installing new front pads?

Answer 1

If you didn't open the hydraulic system there is no need to bleed the brakes. Just compress the calipers, replace the pads, pump the brakes until you have a firm peddle then check the fluid reservoir.

Answer 2

If you just installed the pads, and didn't open up the hydraulic system (e.g., cracking the bleeder or disconnecting the brake lines), there's no need to bleed it.. just pump the foot pedal a few times and it'll sort itself out. Otherwise, there's a couple ways to to about it... one way requires two people... there are bleeder valves on the back of each caliper which you can crack open with a 5/16" or 8mm wrench.. have someone pump the pedal three to five times, holding it down the last time.. as they're holding the pedal down, you crack open the bleeder valve, let the fluid come out, and close it before they release their foot off the pedal. The fluid coming out should flow - it shouldn't sputter. You may have to do it a couple times with each caliper, topping off the brake fluid as you go. Start with the one furthest away from the master cylinder and work your way towards it, so you'd go right rear, left rear, right front, left front.

There's also a suction pump which can pull air out through the reservoir, but I don't do enough work on light duty stuff at my job to have ever bought one