Bleeding brakes: How's it done?

[pdrover]

This is the lesson I learned over the weekend: 4 year old girls and DIY auto repair mix like oil and water!

I was replacing the brake shoes of my '97 Corolla over the weekend, and my 4 year old daughter was being an excellent tool swiper. I was getting frustrated with her for relocating all my tools, and she with me for telling her to "leave them alone!". So she asked if she could 'tend to drive. I had the rear wheel and drum off, but the car was well secured, I wasn't working under it and the steering locked, so, to keep her entertained while I worked, I said sure. I had just released the springs that hold the shoes in place when a jet of brake fluid came streaming from one of the pistons. WTF? There should be no pressure in the lines unless someone was... "Stop pressing the pedals *NOW*!"... squirt. "I said *STOP*!"... squirt. "That's it, *get out* and go bug your Mother!" ...

So now I've air in my brake cylinder. Indeed, the piston had popped right out. The air needs to be bled, but I've never bled brakes before.

I've done a search of the forum and the web, but I've not been able to get any precise information about the procedure. However, this is my understanding of what is necessary:

- I must make sure that the brake fluid is topped up.
- I must have someone fully depress the brake pedal (a certain 4yo may prove useful here)
- I must loosen (or remove?) a draining vent to allow the air to escape.
- I must then resecure the vent.
- repeat until there is no more air.

Is this correct? Where will I find the venting screw/nipple/valve? What kind of tool will I need. Will I have to bleed all four wheel?

All assistance is sincerely appreciated. The car is not safe as it is.

Thanks,
Paul.