How-To: Bleeding the Brakes

[PointByPatrol]

Brand new video with the proper bleeding procedure is now posted!

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[spectre186]

Thanks! This will come in really handy.

 

[PointByPatrol]

Glad to help! I keep finding that I have to pace myself during these videos, and jot down notes beforehand to cover all of the points!

 

[Jester04]

I've had a few requests for a video tackling a brake fluid exchange/bleed. Hope this helps!

Excellent video my friend!

 

[PointByPatrol]

I pulled the video down. Looks like I made a mistake on the proper procedure on the FL5 specifically. I'm hearing that the procedure is to start at the driver front, then passenger front, the passenger rear, then driver rear, then actuate the parking brake 5 times, then re-bleed the rears. I will confirm this when I get back to work. If I was wrong I'll redo the process and shoot a new video. Can anyone else confirm?

 

[Jester04]

I pulled the video down. Looks like I made a mistake on the proper procedure on the FL5 specifically. I'm hearing that the procedure is to start at the driver front, then passenger front, the passenger rear, then driver rear, then actuate the parking brake 5 times, then re-bleed the rears. I will confirm this when I get back to work. If I was wrong I'll redo the process and shoot a new video. Can anyone else confirm?

According to what I have heard what you stated is the way the manual describes it.

 

[PointByPatrol]

According to what I have heard what you stated is the way the manual describes it.

I'll confirm and correct it for sure!

 

[PointByPatrol]

I pulled the video down. Looks like I made a mistake on the proper procedure on the FL5 specifically. I'm hearing that the procedure is to start at the driver front, then passenger front, the passenger rear, then driver rear, then actuate the parking brake 5 times, then re-bleed the rears. I will confirm this when I get back to work. If I was wrong I'll redo the process and shoot a new video. Can anyone else confirm?

Just confirmed with a Honda Master Technician that what I have written above here is indeed the correct way to bleed the brakes. So I'll be shooting a brand new video to showcase the "factory procedure" for how this is done.

Side note: I could be wrong here, but my immediate though on this is that a standard bleeding procedure is not going to introduce air into the system, and can likely be done the "old fashioned way", but in the case of folks replacing their brake lines or calipers (Which inevitably causes air to enter the system), will need to follow the factory process to rid their brake system of air bubbles.

 

[Stanleywinthrop]

Thanks f

Side note: I could be wrong here, but my immediate though on this is that a standard bleeding procedure is not going to introduce air into the system,

IMO you are correct in this assumption. I've failed to cycle the EPBs when replacing brake fluid, but as long as air wasn't introduced, it hasn't been a problem.

OTOH, the one time I replaced by rear brake lines, I actually had to do 2 full cycles (bleed, cycle EPB 5 times, bleed again, cycle EPB 5 times) before I got all the air out of my system.

Because I usually work on my car alone, I generally use a positive pressure system because it's quick, but don't sleep on a good gravity bleed. If you have the time, it makes for a rock solid pedal feel.

 

[Woodbot]

Sorry to read/watch the VIR crash. Hope you're recovered.

Was looking to watch this video but noticed it's private. Does anyone have another source for FL5 brake bleeding procedure? Thanks.

 

[PointByPatrol]

Sorry to read/watch the VIR crash. Hope you're recovered.

Was looking to watch this video but noticed it's private. Does anyone have another source for FL5 brake bleeding procedure? Thanks.

I had changed it to private only because I didn't follow the "factory" procedure, but it's because I hadn't introduced air to the system. There is a specific procedure if you are in a situation where you have to introduce air, like replacing brake lines.

 

[chadwicke619]

Guys, just follow the procedure in the manual. It’s all laid out for you, according to distance of all the components on the car. I’m not sure why you would do it the “old fashioned” way, or why you would not follow factory procedure. Start at the front driver and go clockwise - front driver, front passenger, rear passenger, rear driver. Then, cycle the electronic parking brake five times and re-do the rears in the same order. It doesn’t matter whether you replaced your brake lines, or you think you’ve got air in the lines, or anything else - this is the procedure you should use, period.

 

[Rhorn]

Sorry to revive an old post but what is the size of the wrench you need to use for the bleeder valves? is it a 11MM and is the size the same for the front and rear?

 

[PointByPatrol]

Sorry to revive an old post but what is the size of the wrench you need to use for the bleeder valves? is it a 11MM and is the size the same for the front and rear?

IIRC it's 11mm in the front and 10mm in the rear!

 

[chadwicke619]

Sorry to revive an old post but what is the size of the wrench you need to use for the bleeder valves? is it a 11MM and is the size the same for the front and rear?

Assuming the FL5 is the same as the FK8, you’ll want 10 and 11MM flare nut wrenches - the front and rears are different sizes.

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