Changing power steering fluid and brake fluid... ugh.

[TridenT]

Power steering.. I'll have to look into it more. (Seems like a pain in the ass as well)

Anyway, for changing brake fluid. I got the basics down, but is there any better way to flush all four brakes with fluid other than having someone press the pedal down while I untighten the bolt, wait for it to start getting really weak on the flow, tighten.. repeat x100 per pedal?

Just wondering. I don't really know if speed bleeder screws or whatever they're called are readily available for my car everywhere, so.. I rather not try that and I don't even know if it works well anyway? Maybe it does?

2000 Honda Civic EX Coupe, if it mattered.

 

[T2urtle]

speed bleeders should have a set for your car.

bleeder size isn't car specific more or less brand specific, like if it fits one honda, it should fit many others as well. In a sense its just a bolt.

The 2 man method you speak of is the cheapest way because it cost next to nothing. A line wrench, plastic clear hose, bottle of fluid and a person who can step on the pedal and hold it.

speed bleeders from i read do work and rarely fail. i forget the design but they are one way valves, so fluid goes out and air doesn't go in. I think you loosen one and hook up the hose and you step on the pedal as much as you want and it should bleed out. I might be wrong on that.

Changing PS fluid... most people just replace whats in the reservoir. But i guess the real way to do this is to disconnect the outlet line off the rack and turn lock to lock and refill it. Too much work, i rather just do the reservoir like every oil change. Either suck it out or disconnect it and empty it out.


Something to consider, i think about 75% of the cars on the road today never did a brake or PS fluid change. I've opened up plenty of hoods to find JET BLACK brake fluid.

 

[thescreensavers]

+1 on Reservoir PS fluid change

 

[T2urtle]

http://store.motiveproducts.com/ford-three-prong-bleeder--0107-p38.aspx

something like this is a another option.

same thing like a 2 man but this replaces the 2nd man pushing the pedal.

Cost $65, the ford 3 prong works on my g35/350z, obviously works on fords. WRX/STI have used the same one. I want to say any japanese car that uses the circlular 3 prong cap should work. I'm sure you can google since there are hondas road racing and etc.


.... just found this... http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model=350z&cat=braking&prodid=2741

looks like you need a 0101 model

 

[tbike06]

I just barely used the Motive power bleeder to help me bleed my clutch system. It helped out a ton, it would have taken forever using the old method.

 

[TridenT]

Speed bleed screws/bolts/whatever sound like some epic win, but how much are they? Where can I get them? How will I install them? (Besides obvious take out old ones, put in new ones... the whole air thing you know and pressure.. and yeah...)

Sounds intereessting...

 

[cprince]

I find this to work surprising well and cheap:
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/brakes/one-man-brake-bleeder-kit-37201.html

 

[boomerang]

It's not 100 times per wheel. That's a gross exaggeration and by dwelling on it, you've turned this into a far bigger job (in your mind) than it really is.

Patience is a virtue.

 

[Howard]

You could gravity bleed.

 

[TridenT]

Looking at amazon, it's fucking $15 for a pair of speed bleeders. WTF?!

Any cheaper ones out there?

 

[TridenT]

Changed what I could of what was in the reservoir of both power steering and brake fluid. I'll be doing it the real way for the brake fluid eventually, but it's not exactly the best of nights.

Both the power steering and the brake fluid were pretty freaking dark. Especially the power steering... Just dark. The brake fluid was more like dark but see through at the same time, kinda weird to explain.

The new power steering fluid I put in was much more transparent and light. This is weird since I went to a shop almost a year ago for a power steering flush. Methinkstheyrippedusoffnaobutmaybenotbecausethesteerignwasabitbetterafter?

 

[thedarkwolf]

Have speed bleeders in both my cars. Well worth the money especially when your brand new master cylinder fails twice shitty Advanced Parts. Used a napa reman for my third and it seems to be holding up.

 

[exdeath]

Changed what I could of what was in the reservoir of both power steering and brake fluid. I'll be doing it the real way for the brake fluid eventually, but it's not exactly the best of nights.

Both the power steering and the brake fluid were pretty freaking dark. Especially the power steering... Just dark. The brake fluid was more like dark but see through at the same time, kinda weird to explain.

The new power steering fluid I put in was much more transparent and light. This is weird since I went to a shop almost a year ago for a power steering flush. Methinkstheyrippedusoffnaobutmaybenotbecausethesteerignwasabitbetterafter?

Uh most cars use red ATF for rack and pinion power steering, sounds like you used the clear old school power steering fluid See what it says on the cap :awe:

 

[TridenT]

Uh most cars use red ATF for rack and pinion power steering, sounds like you used the clear old school power steering fluid See what it says on the cap :awe:

It's the genuine Honda power steering fluid. I only used the Honda branded stuff for my ATF, Brake fluid, and power steering. People said they get some bad results with other stuff.

 

[basslover1]

Looking at amazon, it's fucking $15 for a pair of speed bleeders. WTF?!

Any cheaper ones out there?

Local auto stores have them for the same price. The 30 bucks is worth it since realistically you should flush your brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage.

Which reminds me, I think I'm about at that point again where I need to do mine.

 

[T2urtle]

It's the genuine Honda power steering fluid. I only used the Honda branded stuff for my ATF, Brake fluid, and power steering. People said they get some bad results with other stuff.

thats a bit overkill...

trans fluid i understand they use that ZF thing. mobil1's ATF used to cover honda's ZF but the new formula doesn't.


Brake fluid and PS fluid... i think honda might be raping you on prices if its more then $2-5 a bottle. ATF i completely agree stick with OEM unless its dextron/mercon. $10 per bottle X 5 bottles is always going to be cheaper then a whole trans. VS $5 universal ATF. Brake fluid DOT 3/4 is brake fluid, honda doesn't make it any better, 1L bottle should be $5 and should cover a simple flush.

 

[sontakke]

I find this to work surprising well and cheap:
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/brakes/one-man-brake-bleeder-kit-37201.html

How does one use those included adapters? The product manual does not show a picture. I am assuming the adapters work as one way check valve but I am not sure about that. Do you have any good picture showing its usage? I looked at the product manual but it was not very clear.

Thanks,
- Vikas

 

[Sukhoi]

How does one use those included adapters? The product manual does not show a picture. I am assuming the adapters work as one way check valve but I am not sure about that. Do you have any good picture showing its usage? I looked at the product manual but it was not very clear.

Thanks,
- Vikas

I tried to use one of those a few years ago on my car and it was horrible. The hose kept blowing off the bleeder screw, bottle wouldn't stay attached to anything, etc.

 

[JCH13]

I got a no-name-brand power brake bleeder from auto zone. Worked fine to do brakes and suck out the power steering system.

 

[cprince]

How does one use those included adapters? The product manual does not show a picture. I am assuming the adapters work as one way check valve but I am not sure about that. Do you have any good picture showing its usage? I looked at the product manual but it was not very clear.

Thanks,
- Vikas

The one way check valve is in the bottle cap. You push the adapter into the opening of the bleeder screw. The adapter's cone shape allows it to fit into the opening of bleeder screws with differing diameter.

Here's what I do:
1. Connect the adapter to one end of the clear tube and the bottle into the other end.
2. Attach the bottle to an iron part of the car.
3. Open the bleeder screw a little--a fourth of a turn, maybe less
4. Slowly push the brake pedal all the way in and slowly let it out.
5. Repeat about 4-5 times.
6. Close(tighten) the bleeder screw.
7. Check the clear tube to see if the fluid is clear and there are no air bubbles in the tube. Repeat if necessary, but empty the bottle first and put more fluid into the reservoir.

The bottle is very small, so you need to empty it often. Remember to start at the wheels farthest from the master cylinder and work your way back--usually it's rear passenger, rear driver, front passenger, then front driver.

I've also bought and tried this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/brakes/mityvac-vacuum-pump-39522.html

The only thing I don't like about it is that air gets suck through the threads of the bleeder screw and into the clear tube so you think that your brake line has a lot of air in it.

 

[thomsbrain]

Gravity bleed FTW.

1. Loosen brake fluid reservoir cap.
2. Attach hose to bleeder valve. Loosen bleeder valve.
3. Come back in 30 minutes, tighten bleeder valve, top up fluid in reservoir.
4. Repeat for other wheels.

It's not fast, but it's easy and very effective.

 

[JCH13]

Gravity bleed FTW.

1. Loosen brake fluid reservoir cap.
2. Attach hose to bleeder valve. Loosen bleeder valve.
3. Come back in 30 minutes, tighten bleeder valve, top up fluid in reservoir.
4. Repeat for other wheels.

It's not fast, but it's easy and very effective.

Assuming that it doesn't bleed down to air and that the lines can be gravity bled, of course.