break fluid change
Honda shop keeps on recommending break fluid change every time i go for oil change. Is it necessary to change break fluid. They have coded it for every 30k miles. When i took it to reliable mechanic shop to do beak fluid, he refused it. He told me not to worry about it. I guess i will take it to his shop again instead of following honda shop recommendations. Any thoughts on this?
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Every 3 years is what's recommended. If someone is suggesting you do it every oil change they're trying to rip you off.
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Originally Posted by Brain Champagne
(Post 1441818)
Every 3 years is what's recommended. If someone is suggesting you do it every oil change they're trying to rip you off.
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If it's been five years and you've never done it then it's reasonable for them to keep reminding you.
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You can buy a brake fluid tester fairly cheaply from an automotive store or from Amazon. They measure the moisture content of your brake fluid. 1% to 2% water content is OK, 3% means time to change the fluid. That small amount of moisture in the brake fluid can cause a lot of damage. Brake fluid pulls water out of the air over time so the moisture content will just keep slowly going up. Honda has arbitrarily set 3 years as the time to change your fluid. Mileage is irrelevant. So, you can either just change it every three years as Honda recommends or you can measure and monitor the actual moisture content and change it when it starts approaching the 3% level.
I'm guessing that if you live in a dry area such as California or Arizona it will take longer for your brake fluid to become contaminated whereas if you live in a high humidity area like Florida this would happen much more quickly. |
I frequent exachage ther reservoir fluid and never really had very long term issues with brakes on my old cars.
I have been replacing my brake fluid now on a once-per-year basis in the fluid reservoir on my 1992 Acura Integra (1 owner & sold in 2017) and 2002 CR-V (1 owner sold in 2019). Brake fluid exchange (whole system) happened every ~ 3 years. Only on my CR-V did I have the rear/passenger-side caliper seize up - hey it lived its life bathed in salt in Minnesota and Northern states. |
Brake fluid is right up there with power steering fluid as a fluid that is neglected
Brake fluid is clear but turns darker over time. Look at the brake fluid reservoir, if you can readily see the level it needs to be changed. |
Originally Posted by Brain Champagne
(Post 1441818)
If someone is suggesting you do it every oil change they're trying to rip you off.
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Need help please, I'm doing rear shoes on a 2015 fit , got the passenger side after some self confusion got cleared up, went to do the drivers side and I can get the wheel cylinders to collapse, however not enough to get the drum back on it appears the adjuster is keeping it from closing enough to get the drum on. HELP
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Originally Posted by David Smith
(Post 1444184)
Need help please, I'm doing rear shoes on a 2015 fit , got the passenger side after some self confusion got cleared up, went to do the drivers side and I can get the wheel cylinders to collapse, however not enough to get the drum back on it appears the adjuster is keeping it from closing enough to get the drum on. HELP
Here's some text from chilton's./ I'll see if I can post the drawings. 1. Remove the tension pins (A) by pushing respective shoe clamp springs (B) and turning the pin. 2. Remove brake spring B, and remove the brake shoe assembly over the hub. 3. Remove the forward brake shoe (C) by removing brake spring A, and disassemble the brake shoe assembly. 4. Remove the rearward brake shoe (D) by disconnecting the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever (E). 5. Parking Brake Lever - Remove 1. Remove the U-clip (A), wave washer (B), and parking lever pin (C), and separate the parking brake lever (D) from the brake shoe (E). Installation CAUTION Frequent inhalation of brake pad dust, regardless of material composition, could be hazardous to your health. Avoid breathing dust particles. Never use an air hose or brush to clean brake assemblies. Use an OSHA-approved vacuum cleaner. NOTE: Keep grease away from the brake drum and the brake shoes. Refer to the Exploded View as needed during this procedure. 1. Install the parking brake lever (A) and the wave washer (B) on the parking lever pin (C), and secure with a new U-clip (D). NOTE: Pinch the U-clip securely to prevent the parking brake lever from coming out of the brake shoe (E). 2. Connect the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever. 2. Brake Shoe - Install 1. Apply a thin coat of Molykote 44 MA grease to the edge of the shoe surfaces (A) that contact the backing plate as shown. Wipe off any excess. NOTE: Keep grease off the brake linings. 2. Install connecting rod A and B on the adjuster bolt (C). NOTE: Clean the threaded portions of connecting rod A and the sliding surface of connecting rod B, then coat them with Molykote 44MA grease. Shorten connecting rod A by fully turning in the adjuster bolt. 3. Assemble the brake shoes, the brake spring A (D), and the connecting rods with the adjuster bolt against the backing plate, then install the adjuster lever (E) and the adjuster spring (F) on the forward brake shoe (G). 4. Install the brake spring B (H). NOTE: Make sure the brake shoe positioning on the brake shoe bosses of the backing plate, and fitting the top of the brake shoes onto the wheel cylinder pistons. 5. Install the tension pins (A) and the shoe clamp springs (B) by pushing in respective spring and turning each pin. 3. Brake Drum - Install 4. Rear Wheels - Install 5. Parking Brake - Adjust 1. Press the brake pedal several times to make sure the brakes work and to set the self-adjusting brake. NOTE: Engagement of the brakes may require a greater pedal stroke immediately after the brake shoes have been replaced as a set. Several applications of the brake pedal will restore the normal pedal stroke. 2. Adjust the parking brake. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...d0054cf593.jpg ID DIAGRAM https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...0ba248d93c.jpg BRAKE SHOE INSTALL 1 https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...7244a69e7f.jpg BRAKE SHOE INSTALL 2 https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...9e5895fb59.jpg BRAKE SPRING INSTALL https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...e19f4d3210.jpg PARKING BRAKE LEVER INSTALL https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...d91bf9bb02.jpg PARKING BRAKE LEVER REMOVE https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...3414fad7e5.jpg TENSION PINS 1 https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fit...81721d8a30.jpg TENSION PINS 2 |
Originally Posted by ritholtz
(Post 1441816)
Honda shop keeps on recommending break fluid change every time i go for oil change. Is it necessary to change break fluid. They have coded it for every 30k miles. When i took it to reliable mechanic shop to do beak fluid, he refused it. He told me not to worry about it. I guess i will take it to his shop again instead of following honda shop recommendations. Any thoughts on this?
Brake fluid absorb water. In Australian, Europe Mexico says t change it every 3 years. regarding milage. I did it myself. When I went to the dealer to ask about the size of the screw they told me they never ever bleed the fluid they just change it. Manual easy use dot 3, but honda only sells dot 4. So it is backwards compatible. You can youse dot 5.1 it is better but like 5 dollar more expsenvie. So yes, change the brake fluid, even tho it has not water fluid get contaminated (dark) so with all the psi you can destroy in the long run the hoses thus the abs system. If you are not going to change it every 3 years what you can do is with a syringe suck up all the old brake fluid and put new one. Without bleeding. Erick the car guy has done this procedure in honda veichle and says honda do it at the dealer. So you might be safe . |
Originally Posted by KikeDiaz
(Post 1445347)
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If you are not going to change it every 3 years what you can do is with a syringe suck up all the old brake fluid and put new one. Without bleeding. Erick the car guy has done this procedure in honda veichle and says honda do it at the dealer. So you might be safe . |
Originally Posted by Jazu
(Post 1441923)
I frequent exachage ther reservoir fluid and never really had very long term issues with brakes on my old cars.
I have been replacing my brake fluid now on a once-per-year basis in the fluid reservoir on my 1992 Acura Integra (1 owner & sold in 2017) and 2002 CR-V (1 owner sold in 2019). Brake fluid exchange (whole system) happened every ~ 3 years. Only on my CR-V did I have the rear/passenger-side caliper seize up - hey it lived its life bathed in salt in Minnesota and Northern states. That's good that you do the reservoir, but the fluid goes bad starting at the caliper from the brakes heat. I change my fluid every 2-3 years based on if just time or if I need the brakes done. When I autocross, I would do them every season in the spring. There would be a noticeable feel in the brake pedal before and after the fluid change. |
Originally Posted by KikeDiaz
(Post 1445347)
When I went to the dealer to ask about the size of the screw they told me they never ever bleed the fluid
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I agree - ABS and brake system need fresh fluid replenishment ~ 2 years once they're at the 30000 mile mark. I take out the fluid in the reservoir and replace it every year with fresh and every 2 years bleed the brakes. 17+ years on my CRV and many more on my Integra GS-R and never had to replace a caliper.
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Originally Posted by Jazu
(Post 1446637)
I agree - ABS and brake system need fresh fluid replenishment ~ 2 years once they're at the 30000 mile mark. I take out the fluid in the reservoir and replace it every year with fresh and every 2 years bleed the brakes. 17+ years on my CRV and many more on my Integra GS-R and never had to replace a caliper.
Speed Bleeder Main Page |
Originally Posted by ritholtz
(Post 1441816)
Honda shop keeps on recommending break fluid change every time i go for oil change. Is it necessary to change break fluid
Originally Posted by ritholtz
(Post 1441816)
When i took it to reliable mechanic shop to do beak fluid, he refused it. He told me not to worry about it.
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Leave a shop that doesn't do what you ask. Prime Honda (Boston) said they rotated my tires when I picked up the car - I showed them in the Bay that my RED CLAY pen marks for FL (front left)...RR were unchanged. I made a big stink and had both the site Manager and Service Manager come out an apologize in front of everyone. I'll never return there. I've since purchased a Low Profile lift and learned to rotate my own tires AND did both my neighbors and now have cases of bubbly refreshment as a reward.
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Originally Posted by Jazu
(Post 1446709)
Leave a shop that doesn't do what you ask. Prime Honda (Boston) said they rotated my tires when I picked up the car - I showed them in the Bay that my RED CLAY pen marks for FL (front left)...RR were unchanged. I made a big stink and had both the site Manager and Service Manager come out an apologize in front of everyone. I'll never return there. I've since purchased a Low Profile lift and learned to rotate my own tires AND did both my neighbors and now have cases of bubbly refreshment as a reward.
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Originally Posted by Jazu
(Post 1446709)
I'll never return there. I've since purchased a Low Profile lift and learned to rotate my own tires AND did both my neighbors and now have cases of bubbly refreshment as a reward.
Put the b*st*rds out of business by doing it yourself (or, at least, having a fellow Fitfreaker do it for/with you). It troubles me that Honda has stopped selling Service Manuals. But I guess lots of things trouble me about the Honda of the last 10+ years. |
Originally Posted by 2bFit
(Post 1445350)
exchange just the fluid in the reservoir does help some but wouldn’t get all the moisture out from the tubing and calipers where the corrosion takes place and cause stuck calipers. You should bleed through the system at all the wheels.
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Originally Posted by nomenclator
(Post 1446874)
However the nipples on the Fit are nonstandard size so you'll need to get vinyl tubing that is slightly narrower in inside diameter than the tubing that typically comes with this sort of vacuum bleeder. Also, with a slightly loose hose while it may not get sucked off, you are likely to pull air into the hose that gets into the hose between the nipple and the hose. You'll see bubbles in the hose. And you won't be able to tell if they came from the ambient air or from the brake fluid.
Another technique I've heard about is simply attaching plastic tubing and opening the bleeding screw slightly. The fluid will slowing run out on its own. Just be sure to keep an eye on the level in the reservoir. I haven't tried this, but it seems to make sense. |
Originally Posted by SilverEX15
(Post 1446881)
Yes, bubbles in the tubing can be misleading. I use a vacuum pump, and when I change the fluid, I often see bubbles, but I know they are from air leaking in around the tubing connection, rather than air in the brake system. When brake line components are removed, and air actually enters the system, then a proper fit is essential to make sure all the air is out of the system.
Another technique I've heard about is simply attaching plastic tubing and opening the bleeding screw slightly. The fluid will slowing run out on its own. Just be sure to keep an eye on the level in the reservoir. I haven't tried this, but it seems to make sense. Maybe it is that when you attach the tube to the nipple there will be air in the tube, and that air can rise up into the nipple? So that is why you first go up with the tube? That doesn't sound right either. |
Originally Posted by nomenclator
(Post 1446997)
I haven't tried simply opening the bleeder valve either. I wonder if there is a lot of air, there may not be enough sustained pressure, from gravity, to get all of it, to get as much flow of brake fluid as you need. Something that I heard bout bleeding involved air being less dense than brake fluid. I'm having trouble remembering it preisely but I think it was that if you attach the tube to the nipple and open the nipple, you'll need gravity to get the brake fluid to flow out, but if the tube were to immediately go downward from the nipple, air from outside would get into the tube, so you should hold the tube up, then make it into an inverted U, and then have the end of the U be below the level of the nipple and that way air in the brake fluid will rise to the bottom of the upside down U. Something like that. That doesn't seem right though. My memory is failing me here!??
Maybe it is that when you attach the tube to the nipple there will be air in the tube, and that air can rise up into the nipple? So that is why you first go up with the tube? That doesn't sound right either. |
The Fits don't have a lot of ground clearance. What is it, 14 cm (5.5 inches)? Has anyone been able to bleed the front brakes, and the rear brakes, without first putting the car on jack stands and removing the wheels?
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I'm sure it's possible to bleed the brakes with the car on the ground, but it wouldn't be convenient or (for me) comfortable, so in my opinion it's an easier job with the car in the air on jack stands.
Plus, it makes it easier to inspect other parts of the brakes, suspension, etc. once I have the tires off. |
Originally Posted by Drew21
(Post 1478127)
I'm sure it's possible to bleed the brakes with the car on the ground, but it wouldn't be convenient or (for me) comfortable, so in my opinion it's an easier job with the car in the air on jack stands.
Plus, it makes it easier to inspect other parts of the brakes, suspension, etc. once I have the tires off. |
Do you not have a friend with a flat driveway (and maybe a jack and jack stands)? Much easier and safer than trying to be a covert ninja mechanic in a dark parking lot. If I had to work on my car under the circumstances you describe I would just take it to a (trusted) mechanic.
I thought more about bleeding brakes and am now thinking that even if you can reach the bleeders it's going to be really difficult to open/close them. It might require specialized tools (e.g., crowfoot wrenches) and you run a greater risk of rounding off or breaking a bleeder than when you have direct access with the wheels off. But, let's assume that you still want to try. You can use short pieces of 2x6 board to gain a little more clearance. Not much, but every little bit will help. If you use your scissor jack you can lift each wheel to put the boards underneath, or if you have long enough boards you can drive onto them like a stair-step ramp. Unfortunately you can't use the parking brake if you're going to bleed the brakes, so you need to come up with some sort of wheel chocks to make sure the car is completely safe before you should get under it. The rears should be possible because of the simplicity of the suspension and the orientation (pointed away from wheel) of the bleeder. It's also easier to access the bleeder while laying under the relatively open back end of the car. The fronts will be much more difficult. There's not as much clearance under the car, the suspension is more complex and will be in your way, and the bleeder is pointing right at the inside of the rim. It's probably doable but not easy. As an aside, I've always heard that you don't want to get brake fluid on paint. If you try to bleed brakes with the wheels on you're going to get brake fluid all over your rims. Maybe you care, maybe you don't. It also occurs to me that under your DIY brake bleeding scenario you may run into a situation where you incapacitate your car. For example, if you snap off a bleeder you're stuck. If you have problems bleeding the brakes and introduce a bunch of air into the system your brakes will be compromised. Neither of these is a likely outcome when you have good access to the bleeders, but if you're trying to work on the ground with the wheels on, you're way more likely to run into problems. If you still want to give it a try, I would recommend soaking your bleeders with penetrating fluid (I'm a PB Blaster fan) to increase the chances they'll open rather than snap off. Another job that's easier with the wheels off and the car in the air and when you have some time for chemistry and contemplation, but.... |
Originally Posted by Drew21
(Post 1478130)
Do you not have a friend with a flat driveway (and maybe a jack and jack stands)? Much easier and safer than trying to be a covert ninja mechanic in a dark parking lot. If I had to work on my car under the circumstances you describe I would just take it to a (trusted) mechanic.
I thought more about bleeding brakes and am now thinking that even if you can reach the bleeders it's going to be really difficult to open/close them. It might require specialized tools (e.g., crowfoot wrenches) and you run a greater risk of rounding off or breaking a bleeder than when you have direct access with the wheels off. But, let's assume that you still want to try. You can use short pieces of 2x6 board to gain a little more clearance. Not much, but every little bit will help. If you use your scissor jack you can lift each wheel to put the boards underneath, or if you have long enough boards you can drive onto them like a stair-step ramp. Unfortunately you can't use the parking brake if you're going to bleed the brakes, so you need to come up with some sort of wheel chocks to make sure the car is completely safe before you should get under it. The rears should be possible because of the simplicity of the suspension and the orientation (pointed away from wheel) of the bleeder. It's also easier to access the bleeder while laying under the relatively open back end of the car. The fronts will be much more difficult. There's not as much clearance under the car, the suspension is more complex and will be in your way, and the bleeder is pointing right at the inside of the rim. It's probably doable but not easy. As an aside, I've always heard that you don't want to get brake fluid on paint. If you try to bleed brakes with the wheels on you're going to get brake fluid all over your rims. Maybe you care, maybe you don't. It also occurs to me that under your DIY brake bleeding scenario you may run into a situation where you incapacitate your car. For example, if you snap off a bleeder you're stuck. If you have problems bleeding the brakes and introduce a bunch of air into the system your brakes will be compromised. Neither of these is a likely outcome when you have good access to the bleeders, but if you're trying to work on the ground with the wheels on, you're way more likely to run into problems. If you still want to give it a try, I would recommend soaking your bleeders with penetrating fluid (I'm a PB Blaster fan) to increase the chances they'll open rather than snap off. Another job that's easier with the wheels off and the car in the air and when you have some time for chemistry and contemplation, but.... |
It sounds like you use a similar procedure to me. My only difference is that I drive the front tires onto ramps, lift the back onto jack stands using the rear central lift point, and then use the front central lift point to raise the front a few inches, remove the ramps, and lower onto jack stands. I reverse the operation to put the car back on the ground.
In your case, there's no need to lift the car onto the 2x6. Put the board in front of the tire and drive right up. That will save some jack time. If you need a bit more ground clearance you can make a simple low ramp using two pieces of 2x6 screwed together to form a step ramp. It's commendable to do your own maintenance, and I agree that it's annoying to pay someone what often seems like a ton of money to do a job that you know you can do, but there are limits. If you need time to rest while you're working then it's unsafe to not allow yourself to do so. I'll reiterate what I started with on my previous post. Do you have a friend, co-worker, sibling, child, cousin, someone from your church, etc. with a flat driveway? Buy them dinner in exchange for an afternoon of using their driveway. Or, since you know how to do car maintenance, offer to do something for their car in exchange for using the space. Take breaks from the brakes and hang out with them. Much safer than being in a hurry. |
There are one-way bleeders called Speed Bleeders. They will not flow fluid unless there is pressure from the brake pedal. This makes it easy to work solo - as I always do.
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