Brake, Power Steering, Clutch - Fluids, Flushing and Bleeding. Questions Thread.

[DaRKNT]

Hey all - title says it all. Probable handy resource for first timers in the future.

I'll start:

Am I right to use a giant syringe to get all the fluid out of all three reserviors? (Brake, Clutch and PS)
In doing so, will I introduce air bubbles into the system by emptying the reservior? Or will I be fine so long as the engine is off (PS) and clutch/brake pedals aren't pumped?

Finally, when I am bleeding the brakes/clutch, are the bleed valves supposed to be tightened with the pedals pushed down? Or do I pull them off the floor and then tighten?
If on the floor, how do I reintroduce pressure into the system?

Can anyone give me a detailed step by step?

[knobosaurus]

Re: Brake, Power Steering, Clutch - Fluids, Flushing and Bleeding. Questions Thread.

Hey all - title says it all. Probable handy resource for first timers in the future.

I'll start:

Am I right to use a giant syringe to get all the fluid out of all three reserviors? (Brake, Clutch and PS)
In doing so, will I introduce air bubbles into the system by emptying the reservior? Or will I be fine so long as the engine is off (PS) and clutch/brake pedals aren't pumped?

Finally, when I am bleeding the brakes/clutch, are the bleed valves supposed to be tightened with the pedals pushed down? Or do I pull them off the floor and then tighten?
If on the floor, how do I reintroduce pressure into the system?

Can anyone give me a detailed step by step?

Syringe is fine for extraction. People use that,or a turkey baster for diy jobs. No air bubbles will be introduced as long as you don't pump pedals while it's empty. A big tip, never pump while any of the cylinders (brake, PS or clutch) are dry. Always do it while there's plenty of fluid otherwise you could damage the system.

Lots of people employ different methods for bleeding. Personally, my method is as follows:

- get clear tube stuck into a bottle with a tiny bit of brake fluid sitting on the bottom. The other end of the tube goes over the bleed valve after you've removed the black rubber nipple.
-Pump the brake seven to ten times in quick succession.
- on the last pump, push down and hold the brake pedal. While it's being pushed, get your helper to crack open the bleed valve. Best to crack it open a tiny bit then tighten it again before you start doing any of the above steps. This is to reduce the effort needed to open the nut again.
- keep it open for a second or two and let fluid and air drain out then close the nut.
-repeat several times until all the air is out and you only get fresh fluid coming out.

Very important note: always check your master cylinder after every few bleed attempts and refill if necessary. Never let it drop past the min point.

In regards to order, I've followed the Honda service manual and done the driver side front first then the passenger front then the passenger rear then the driver rear.

Please note this is details for the brake bleeding only hope it helps

[DaRKNT]

Re: Brake, Power Steering, Clutch - Fluids, Flushing and Bleeding. Questions Thread.

Knobby! When I tighten the valve... do I take my foot off the pedal and pull it to the top befote doing so or do I leave my foot on it, tighten, then pump?

How about the clutch?

[tinkerbell]

great post knob

[tinkerbell]

Knobby! When I tighten the valve... do I take my foot off the pedal and pull it to the top befote doing so or do I leave my foot on it, tighten, then pump?

How about the clutch?

you cant do both at once!!! you need two people...

but you close the valve before moving the pedal again

clutch = fill up, and use your hand to push pedal in/out a few times, fill up again, use hand to pump pedal a few times, untill you see clear fluid...

[knobosaurus]

Re: Brake, Power Steering, Clutch - Fluids, Flushing and Bleeding. Questions Thread.

Knobby! When I tighten the valve... do I take my foot off the pedal and pull it to the top befote doing so or do I leave my foot on it, tighten, then pump?

How about the clutch?

So foot goes hard on the brake and you hold it. Release the nut and let it flow. When the nut opens, your foot will sink to the floor but don't worry. Tighten the nut and take your foot off. If you try pump the brake it will be just as tight as before.

Try think of the brake system as a series of tubes filled with fluid. At the end of each tube going to all four wheels is the bleed nut. By opening the nut while you're foot is down on the pedal, you're forcing all the fluid and possible air bubbles out of that opening. If you lift off while the valve is still open, by a vacuum effect, both fluid and air will be sucked back in. Which is why you close the nut before air can get back in.

Clutch I've never done before but....if you get a copy of the workshop manual for the dc5, the details will definitely be there

great post knob

It's still fresh in my head since I've done it recently. Cheers :P

[DaRKNT]

Re: Brake, Power Steering, Clutch - Fluids, Flushing and Bleeding. Questions Thread.

Thanks knob!

Tinks, when I'm done bleeding clutch... should tge pedal be in or out when I tighten bleed valve for the final time?

[tinkerbell]

Thanks knob!

Tinks, when I'm done bleeding clutch... should tge pedal be in or out when I tighten bleed valve for the final time?

yeah up mate.