Honda Civic (1996-2000) - Bleeding the Brakes
From WikiAutoRepair
 | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1996-2000 |
| Assembly | Swindon, England Suzuka, Japan |
| Predecessor | Honda Civic (fifth generation) |
| Successor | Honda Civic (seventh generation) |
| Body style(s) | 2-door Coupe (EJ6/7/8/EM1) 3-door Hatchback (EK/EJ9) |
| Layout | Front-engine design, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Engine(s) | 1.4 L Honda D engine #D14A3 Straight I4 1.4 L Honda D engine #D14A4 Straight I4 |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed Manual transmission 4-speed Automatic transmission Continuously variable transmission CVT - HX only |
| Wheelbase | 103.2 in |
| Length | 164.5 in (1996-97 Hatchback) 164.2 in (1998-2000 Hatchback) 175.1 in (Coupe & Sedan) |
| Width | 67.1 in |
| Height | 54.1 in (Coupe) 54.7 in (Sedan) |
| Curb weight | 2,319 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 11.9 US gal |
| Related | Acura Integra Honda CR-V Honda CRX Del Sol |
This is a guide on how to bleed the brakes on a Honda Civic.
Contents |
[edit] Tools Needed
- One Extra Person to pump brakes
- Box-end Wrench
- 4 Jack Stands
- Jack
[edit] Supplies Needed
- 4 Pieces of wood or brick
- New Brake Fluid
- Disposable Waste Fluid Bottle
- 1 Can of Brake Cleaner
- Clear Plastic Tubing 12-inch long (aquarium tubing)
- 1 x 4 lumber
[edit] Instructions
On older cars the hardest part is loosening rusted bleeder nipples. Spray the nipples with penetrating oil and let them soak for an hour.
- Get the wheels nuts loose.
- Jack up the car and place on jack stands.
- Remove all the wheels and set aside.
- Screw thight one nut backward against the rotor surface at each corner.
- Start by cleaning the old fluid from the reservoir by sucking the old fluid through the brake caliper bleeder until new fluid is visible. Turn a full bottle of fresh fluid upside down onto the reservoir to make sure the reservoir is constantly full to the top while bleeding.
- Start bleeding in this order - right rear, left rear, right front, left front.
- Remove the rubber cap from the bleeder screw at the rear of the caliper body and save it.
- Use a box wrench that fits the bleeder bolt, loosen the bleeder valves, but leave them closed
- Put one end of clear plastic tubing over the brake bleeder bolt. Put the other end of the hose into the disposable bottle with an inch or two of clean brake fluid in it to prevent air from being sucked back into the brake cylinder.
- Put a piece of 1 x 4 lumber under the brake pedal to prevent the pedal from traveling too close to the floor.
- Place the bottle for waste fluid on top of the caliper body or drum assembly. Hold the bottle with one hand and grasp the wrench with the other hand.
- Have a second person pump the brake pedal three times, hold the pedal down firmly and instruct the person not to release until told to release.
- Loosen the bleeder screw with a brief ¼ turn to release fluid into the waste line. The screw only needs to be open for one second or less. The assistant will notice the brake pedal will fall to the floor as the bleeder screw is opened but the brakes should not be released until instructed to do so.
- Close the bleeder screw by tightening it gently. No need to pull on the wrench with force.
- Tell the assistant to release the brakes. To avoid getting air back into the system, do NOT release the brake pedal while the bleeder screw is open.
- Guide the assistant when to hold and release.
- Check to make sure there are no air bubbles in the fluid of the waste line.
- Repeat this process until new, clear fluid comes from the bleeder tube and air bubbles are no longer present.
- Be sure to check the brake fluid level in the reservoir after bleeding each wheel. Add fluid as necessary to keep it full. Usually, this process is repeated 5-10 times per wheel when doing a standard bleed.
- Tighten the bleeder bolt.
- Repeat the bleeding process for each corner in this order – right rear, left rear, right front, left front - Check the brake fluid reservoir to make sure it is full at all times.
- Clean up any spilled or dripped brake fluid to make it easier to spot leaks later. After all four corners have been bled, spray the bleeder screw with brake cleaner and wipe dry with a clean rag. Avoid spraying the brake cleaner on any parts made of rubber or plastic. The cleaner can make these parts brittle after repeated exposure.
- Press brake pedal to make sure that is not worse than it was before the bleeding and that it has a firm feel.
- Look for signs of leakage by inspecting the bleeder screws and other fittings.
- NEVER pour back used brake fluid into the master cylinder reservoir. Properly dispose of the used waste fluid.
- Re-install all four wheels.
