American Motors: Bleeding Brake lines, bleeding brakes, wheel cylinder

Question
I have an 84' Mercury Gran Marqui  And I took a brake cylinder out awhile ago and did'nt bleed the brake line, and only had about half of the pedal, My brake light came on. the other day I had my wife press the brake when I loosened the nipple on the rear drum brake, Releasing brake fluid. I'd then tighten it up and tell her to let up. we repeated this a few times and I'd refill the brake fluid resevior as needed, My question is How do I bleed my brake line? And why are the bolts holding the line into the brakes so easy to strip?  Also where is The EGR valve located? what does it look like and what does it do? I had a diagnostic test done at an auto store and they said I needed a new one but my car sounds ok?

Answer
I admire you for wanting to work on your car, unfortunately, when dealing with critical components such as brakes, if you're not sure of what you are doing, get advise or help BEFORE you attempt it. Here is the procedure for bleeding brakes. You should bleed all 4 wheels. Make sure the master cylinder is full and install the master cylinder cover. Have someone step on the brake and release it 4 or 5 times. This is called pumping the brakes. While the pedal is being pressed down, open the bleeder screw of the right rear wheel cylinder. Make sure the pedal is NOT released anytime the bleeder screw is open. Close the bleeder screw and have someone pump the brakes again, 4-5 times. Hold the pedal down and open the same bleeder screw. You will see a solid stream of brake fluid when the air is gone. You might have to bleed each wheel 3 or 4 times. When finished with the right rear wheel, add brake fluid to the master cylinder and repeat the bleeding procedure on the left rear wheel, then the right front wheel, then the left front wheel. Be sure you add brake fluid to the master cylinder after bleeding each wheel. Don't let it run dry. Now, as for the EGR valve. You posted your question in the American Motors catagory. That means vehicles manufactured by AMC. I do not know where the EGR valve is located on your engine, or even if it has one. An EGR valve recirculates exhaust gas into the intake. This lowers the combustion tempurature and lowers the output of Oxides of Nitrogen. Ask someone in the Ford catagory where it is located. Good luck.