Brake Bleed - All Four

This procedure removes air from the hydraulic brake system by bleeding all four brake calipers in the proper sequence to restore firm brake pedal feel and optimal braking performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid × 1 — Use Honda genuine or equivalent DOT 3

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Lift vehicle using proper jack points and support securely on jack stands at all four corners
5. Remove all four wheels and set aside
6. Locate brake fluid reservoir under hood on driver side firewall
7. Remove reservoir cap and inspect fluid level and condition
8. Use turkey baster or transfer pump to remove old fluid from reservoir if contaminated or dark
9. Fill reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid from sealed container
10. Keep extra brake fluid and clean rags nearby for frequent reservoir refills

Procedure

1. 1

   Prepare bleeder equipment
   Attach one end of clear vinyl tubing to a 10mm box wrench or bleeder wrench. Place the other end of tubing into a clear catch bottle with 1-2 inches of fresh brake fluid in the bottom to prevent air from being drawn back through the tubing. Prepare to bleed in the correct sequence: Right Rear, Left Rear, Right Front, Left Front (furthest from master cylinder to closest).
2. 2

   Bleed right rear caliper
   Locate the bleeder screw on the back of the right rear brake caliper. Clean around the bleeder screw with a wire brush or brake cleaner to prevent contamination. Position the wrench and tubing onto the bleeder screw. Have an assistant press the brake pedal slowly 3-4 times and hold firm pressure. With pressure held, open the bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn counterclockwise. Fluid and air bubbles will flow into the tubing. When flow stops and pedal reaches the floor, close the bleeder screw firmly. Release pedal. Repeat this process until no air bubbles appear in the fluid stream (typically 5-10 cycles). Check reservoir level after every 3-4 pumps and refill to MAX line as needed.
   ⚠️Monitor reservoir constantly. Never let it drop below MIN line or air will enter the master cylinder.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Bleed left rear caliper
   Move to the left rear caliper and repeat the bleeding process: clean bleeder screw area, attach tubing, pump pedal 3-4 times and hold, open bleeder screw 1/4 to 1/2 turn, allow fluid to flow until pedal reaches floor, close bleeder screw, release pedal. Continue until no air bubbles emerge. Refill reservoir as needed to maintain MAX level.
   ⚠️Check reservoir level before each bleeding cycle. Running dry requires professional ABS system bleeding.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Bleed right front caliper
   Move to the right front caliper and repeat the bleeding process. The front calipers may require more cycles due to larger caliper volume. Clean bleeder screw, attach tubing, pump and hold pedal, open bleeder screw, allow flow, close bleeder screw, release pedal. Continue until fluid flows clear without bubbles. Monitor and refill reservoir frequently.
   ⚠️Maintain reservoir at MAX level. Front calipers hold more fluid and can drop reservoir level quickly.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Bleed left front caliper
   Complete the bleeding sequence at the left front caliper using the same procedure: clean bleeder area, attach tubing and wrench, pump pedal 3-4 times and hold, crack bleeder screw open 1/4 to 1/2 turn, let fluid flow until pedal bottoms, close bleeder screw snugly, release pedal. Repeat until only clear bubble-free fluid emerges. Top off reservoir to MAX line one final time.
   ⚠Tighten bleeder screws to proper torque. Overtightening will strip threads; undertightening will cause leaks.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Verify all bleeder screws sealed
   Inspect all four bleeder screws visually and verify each is tightened to 10.0 Nm (7.0 lb-ft) using a torque wrench. Wipe away any spilled brake fluid with clean rags. Check around each bleeder screw for signs of leakage. Ensure no tools or rags are left near brake components.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Check brake pedal feel
   With vehicle still raised on jack stands, pump the brake pedal 15-20 times. The pedal should become firm and high. If pedal remains soft or spongy, repeat bleeding process starting from right rear. A firm pedal indicates successful bleeding. A persistently soft pedal may indicate air in the ABS modulator requiring professional scan tool bleeding.
8. 8

   Reinstall wheels
   Reinstall all four wheels, hand-threading lug nuts clockwise to prevent cross-threading. Lower vehicle until wheels just contact ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Torque lug nuts to 140.0 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Double-check all lug nuts are properly torqued.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Final brake fluid level adjustment
   Open hood and check brake fluid reservoir. Adjust fluid level to exactly between MIN and MAX lines (not overfilled). Wipe reservoir exterior clean of any spilled fluid. Reinstall reservoir cap securely. Inspect area around master cylinder for any signs of leakage.
10. 10

    Test brake operation
    Start engine and verify brake warning light is OFF. With engine running, press brake pedal firmly - it should feel solid and high. Perform a low-speed test drive in a safe area: test brakes at 5-10 mph to verify proper operation before driving normally. Brake pedal should be firm with no excessive travel or sponginess. Braking should be smooth and even with no pulling to either side.

Reassembly

1. Dispose of used brake fluid properly at a recycling center - never pour down drains
2. Store remaining unused brake fluid in sealed container in cool, dry location away from children
3. Clean all tools and work area of brake fluid residue

Verification

• Brake pedal feels firm and high when pressed with engine running
• No brake warning lights illuminated on instrument cluster
• All four bleeder screws are torqued to 10.0 Nm and show no signs of leakage
• Brake fluid reservoir is filled to proper level between MIN and MAX lines
• Test drive confirms normal brake operation with no pulling, noise, or soft pedal
• All wheel lug nuts are torqued to 140.0 Nm in star pattern
• No brake fluid leaks visible at any caliper or brake line connection
• Brake pedal returns fully when released and does not slowly sink when held under pressure

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