Brake Bleed - All Four

This procedure removes air from the hydraulic brake system by bleeding all four brake calipers in the correct sequence, ensuring proper brake pedal feel and stopping performance.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid × 1 — Honda DOT 3 or equivalent meeting Honda specifications

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels before lifting
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Lift vehicle using floor jack at designated lift points and support securely on four jack stands
5. Remove all four wheels
6. Locate brake fluid reservoir under hood on driver's side firewall
7. Clean area around reservoir cap to prevent dirt contamination
8. Check current brake fluid level - should be between MIN and MAX marks
9. Have at least one full bottle (12-16 oz) of fresh DOT 3 brake fluid ready

Procedure

1. 1

   Prepare brake fluid reservoir
   Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap. If fluid is dark or contaminated, use turkey baster or syringe to remove old fluid (dispose properly). Fill reservoir to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid. Keep the cap nearby but do not reinstall - you will need to monitor and refill frequently during bleeding. Ensure your fluid bottle remains sealed between refills.
2. 2

   Bleed right rear caliper (first position)
   Locate the bleeder screw on the right rear brake caliper (passenger side rear). Clean around the bleeder screw with brake cleaner if available. Attach clear plastic tubing to the bleeder screw and place the other end in your catch bottle with enough fluid to submerge the tube end. Have assistant sit in driver's seat. Assistant should pump brake pedal 3-4 times and hold firm pressure on pedal. While assistant maintains pressure, open bleeder screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn with 10mm wrench. Fluid and air bubbles will flow into tube. When flow stops and pedal reaches floor, close bleeder screw snugly. Release brake pedal. Repeat process 4-6 times until no air bubbles appear in tube and only clean fluid flows. Check reservoir level after every 2-3 bleeding cycles and refill to MAX - never let it drop below MIN.
   ⚠️Never allow assistant to release brake pedal while bleeder screw is open, as this will draw air back into the system.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed left rear caliper (second position)
   Move to the left rear caliper (driver side rear). Repeat the same bleeding procedure as the right rear: attach tubing, pump and hold pedal, open bleeder screw, observe fluid flow, close bleeder screw, release pedal. Continue until no air bubbles appear and fluid runs clear. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed right front caliper (third position)
   Move to the right front caliper (passenger side front). Repeat the bleeding procedure: attach tubing, pump and hold pedal, open bleeder screw, observe fluid flow, close bleeder screw, release pedal. The front calipers may require more cycles to clear all air. Continue until no air bubbles appear. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line.
   Torque spec

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

   Bleed left front caliper (fourth position)
   Move to the left front caliper (driver side front). Repeat the bleeding procedure one final time: attach tubing, pump and hold pedal, open bleeder screw, observe fluid flow, close bleeder screw, release pedal. Continue until no air bubbles appear and fluid runs clear. Check and refill reservoir to MAX line.
   Torque spec

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

   Verify and repeat if necessary
   Have assistant pump brake pedal several times and report pedal feel. Pedal should be firm and not sink to floor with steady pressure. If pedal feels spongy or soft, air remains in the system - repeat bleeding sequence starting from right rear. If pedal is firm, proceed to final torque check of all bleeder screws.
   ⚠A spongy or soft pedal indicates air remains in the system. Do not return vehicle to service until pedal is firm.
7. 7

   Torque bleeder screws and finalize fluid level
   Using torque wrench, verify all four bleeder screws are torqued to exactly 10.0 Nm (7.0 lb-ft). Do not overtighten as bleeder screws are easily damaged. Fill brake fluid reservoir to MAX line. Clean any spilled brake fluid from reservoir area, calipers, and wheels using water. Reinstall reservoir cap securely.
   ⚠Bleeder screws are precision components. Overtightening will strip threads and require caliper replacement.
   Torque spec

   Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reinstall wheels
   Reinstall all four wheels onto wheel studs. Thread lug nuts by hand to ensure proper seating. Using torque wrench, torque lug nuts to 140.0 Nm (103.0 lb-ft) in a star pattern (tighten opposing nuts in sequence, not consecutive nuts). Lower vehicle from jack stands to ground using floor jack, then remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. No disassembly was required for this procedure beyond wheel removal
2. Ensure brake fluid reservoir cap is installed securely
3. Dispose of used brake fluid properly at recycling center - do not pour down drain

Verification

• Start engine and pump brake pedal - pedal should be firm within 1-2 pumps and not sink with steady pressure
• Check brake fluid level one more time - should be at MAX line
• Inspect all four bleeder screws for any fluid leaks
• Check all caliper areas and wheels for brake fluid drips
• Perform low-speed brake test in safe area (parking lot or driveway) - brakes should engage smoothly and vehicle should stop straight without pulling
• Perform moderate-speed brake test (15-25 mph) in safe area - braking should be firm and responsive
• If pedal feel is abnormal, vehicle pulls during braking, or any leaks are present, do not drive vehicle - seek professional diagnosis immediately
• Recheck brake fluid level after test drives - level should remain stable at MAX line

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