Can anyone tell me how to bleed the brake fluids? Thanks

 

1. Clean brake fluid resevoir on the outside using a damp cloth

2. Open brake fluid resevoir and make sure fluid is at max level

3. Jack up rear of the car using jackstands for safety and remove wheels

4. Remove rubber cap on bleeder valves

5. Starting with rear right (that's what I did at least) attach clear hose to bleeder valve and make sure it's draining into a container of some sort

6. (with the engine off) Have a friend sit in the driver's seat and pump the brakes hard 2-3 times then apply firm + continuous pressure (holding) to brake pedal. While holding the pedal your friend should say something like "holding"

7. Using a crescent wrench (I believe 8mm) open the bleeder valve and close it after about 2 seconds. Your friend will experience the brake pedal going down to the floor. You may observe bubbles coming out of the caliper. After valve is closed, tell your friend to let off of the pedal. Now repeat (pump pump hold, open valve, close valve) until no more bubbles come out or until you start to see FRESH brake fluid come out. You can also tap the caliper with a mallet to try to dislodge tiny air bubbles that may be stuck somewhere inside.

8. Always periodically check the brake fluid resevoir for having enough fluid, don't let it run dry.

9. Repeat with rear left, front right, front left.

 

Is it possible to just bleed the front brakes since all I had to do was put on the wheel spacers on the rear and didnt have to mess with the brakes?

 

Sure, but you might as well do the whole thing since you will be taking the time anyway.

As you might know your brake fluid absorbs water over time, which means its usually a good idea to flush it out from time to time. Water lowers its boiling point so fresh brake fluid always adds a margin of safety while driving.

 

Can you show me a pic of where I can locate the bleeder valves pls. I'm going to bleed the brake fluids this friday to check for leaks. I know I have a leak somewhere because I'm losing a lil bit of oil everytime I drive my car. Makes me wonder what we did wrong when we installed the wheel spacers. Maybe we pulled the brake lines by accident I dont know.

 

Is that it with the rubber cap on the right?

 

Yes that's the bleeder valve. Be careful not to get any on the painted surfaces. Brake fluid apparently eats paint real fast.

If you have a leak look for it around the piston, bleeder valve and hoses.

It is normal to see the fluid drop in the reservoir over time as the pads wear. The fluid is taking up the piston(s) space as the piston(s) move out. It should not be noticeable day to day, barely month to month...

 

Yes but my car is not even 2 months old and only 2,200 miles. I drove the car today and I came back and checked it again and I noticed a dropped on my brake fluid reservoir but not much.

 

These are excellent instructions. Just as wired24/7 said, start with the rear passenger, then driver, then front passenger. Rule of thumb is to always start with the brake farthest from the brake master cylinder. +1 on not letting the resevoir run dry.. Keep added fluid to the resevoir as you perform the bleeding process.

 

i've always thought so too. but take a look at the service manual; you may find it interesting.

 

I noticed the service manual says to do rear left, rear right, front left, front right. or something like that.

I assumed it was a typo because of the original right-hand Japanese version, but I could be wrong.

If there is any good reason to do it in the service manual order then I'll be willing to listen to that reason now

 

I have a copy of both the 03 and 04 manual.
The 03 FSM states bleeding order of RearL-FrontR-RearR-FrontL
and the 03 FSM states: RearR- FrontL-RearL-FrontR.

 

Whatever, as long as you don't let it run dry you'll be fine.

 

yay I just came back from the dealership and they found the leak.All they had to do was tighten the banjo bolt that was loose. I save a lot of time going to the shop than bleeding my brakes. They never even asked or mentioned my spacers.

 

Was the banjo not tuned right?

 

 

You can also buy bleeder valves that allow you to do it on your own. I forgot the exact name of them or where to get them.

 

Speed Bleeders

 

a while ago, I picked up a "one man bleeding kit" but I didn't trust it at all and just used it for the tube. I'd much rather just do it with 2 people, that way you can be assured nothing is going wrong...

 

I heard those things leak... 1 person can also use the "Mighty Vac" to get the job done.