How to bleed the brake fluids
09-12-2006, 10:44 PM
#2
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.
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.
Last edited by Wired 24/7; 09-12-2006 at 10:47 PM.
09-13-2006, 05:43 AM
#3
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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?
09-13-2006, 11:44 AM
#4
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.
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.
09-13-2006, 12:21 PM
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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.
09-13-2006, 12:50 PM
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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...
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...
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09-13-2006, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mberthia
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...
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...
09-14-2006, 11:11 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by Wired 24/7
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.
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.
09-14-2006, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by vo7848
Rule of thumb is to always start with the brake farthest from the brake master cylinder.
09-14-2006, 12:41 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Tekwon-V
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
09-15-2006, 06:32 AM
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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.
Last edited by Spoiled Z; 09-15-2006 at 06:37 AM.
09-15-2006, 10:32 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by Spoiled Z
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.
09-15-2006, 02:23 PM
#16
Originally Posted by Spoiled Z
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.
09-17-2006, 10:45 PM
#19
Originally Posted by six3mike
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.
09-18-2006, 08:54 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by PDX_Racer
Speed Bleeders