[cscotts]

Hello,

I have a 2007 E that just crossed its 3 year mark. I also just recently got one of the brake recall notices in the mail.

My question is, I read that Honda recommends replacing the brake fluid every 3 years. Should this be done? If I'm taking the E into the dealership for the warranty work, should I ask them to replace the fluid as well? (any guesses as to what this should cost?) My understanding from reading the forums here is that they do NOT replace the brake fluid when doing the warranty work.

I've never taken my E to the dealership here (Durham, NC - Crown Honda) as I've heard mixed things and have a shop I like..

Any advice? Thanks!

-K

 

[ApriliaGuy]

Yes....the fluid should be replaced every 3 years.

It can be done before or after the warranty work (I recomend after) by yourself or by your favorite shop.

 

[dammitjim]

You should change it. It would probably run around $50 at a dealer.

If you can remove a wheel and turn a 10mm wrench you can change it yourself.

 

[bloomcounty]

I don't believe my brake fluid has ever been changed. I know that "inspect brake fluid" was on the list of stuff they did for the 20K "service" (so I would assume they'd say if there was a problem with it?) -- and I'm about to go in for the 30K service, and "inspect brake fluid" is on there again.

Do I need to specifically ask them to change it then? You'd think they'd tell you it needed it (especially since the manual says every three years).

(Or maybe they did chance it last time... but I don't think so.)

Thanks!

Note: I'm not part of the recall.

 

[Rick92040]

My 08 had 60k on it when the brakes were due to be replaced. I replaced all four and siphoned out the brake fluid from the master cylinder and replaced it. Then I took it to the dealer and had the recall work done. When they bled the brakes as part of the recall the fluid was changed. cost $0. (except for the brake job parts)
I understand the modulator needs to be active while bleeding the brakes and I can't do that.

 

[jcasaccio]

I also had the brake recall done a couple months ago. The work order stated they installed some kit an bled brakes. It got out the fluid by the calipers which gets bad from heat. Prob should still do a full flush this year.

 

[asm]

You should. It's not difficult to do with someone in the car to pump the brake.

One thing that's a little unusual is the factory service manual suggest brake bleed sequence. It recommends rear left, rear right, front right and front left. That's different then the conventional wisdom of starting from the brake furthest away from the master cylinder....

B

 

[bloomcounty]

I checked what they did, and they actually changed it as part of the service (and I believe they did on the previous service as well). So I should be good!

 

[desinia]

Um, I went in under the recall too and they topped off the brake fluid to replace what was used during the bleeding but is that enough to count as "replace brake fluid"? The procedure only allows for one bottle of fluid and they don't even use the whole bottle.

 

[breese524]

You should. It's not difficult to do with someone in the car to pump the brake.

One thing that's a little unusual is the factory service manual suggest brake bleed sequence. It recommends rear left, rear right, front right and front left. That's different then the conventional wisdom of starting from the brake furthest away from the master cylinder....

B

If you follow the brake lines to the passenger side of the car, you will find that they pass through the VSA/ABS module there before going to the individual wheels. Therefore, R LFT would be the longest line.

 

[desinia]

If you follow the brake lines to the passenger side of the car, you will find that they pass through the VSA/ABS module there before going to the individual wheels. Therefore, R LFT would be the longest line.

Cool! Now, does anyone have a way to activate the ABS system to do a proper bleed without needing the expensive test bay that my dealer insists is the only way...

 

[breese524]

Cool! Now, does anyone have a way to activate the ABS system to do a proper bleed without needing the expensive test bay that my dealer insists is the only way...

That would be the trillion dollar question...

 

[ApriliaGuy]

does anyone have a way to activate the ABS system ...

Stab the brakes hard at 30mph while driving 'cross the neighbors lawn. :twisted: Helps if its wet too.

I usually do a normal brake bleed, then a short drive down a local dirt/gravel road and apply plenty of brake pressure....several times. You can feel the abs doin' its thing. Then I return home and bleed 'em again. It ain't elegent, but seems to be working well so far.

 

[breese524]

Stab the brakes hard at 30mph while driving 'cross the neighbors lawn. :twisted: Helps if its wet too.

I usually do a normal brake bleed, then a short drive down a local dirt/gravel road and apply plenty of brake pressure....several times. You can feel the abs doin' its thing. Then I return home and bleed 'em again. It ain't elegent, but seems to be working well so far.

Now if I could find a gravel or dirt road... but, yes that'd be the only way I could think of without special Honda tools.

 

[psschmied]

. . . One thing that's a little unusual is the factory service manual suggest brake bleed sequence. It recommends rear left, rear right, front right and front left. That's different then the conventional wisdom of starting from the brake furthest away from the master cylinder.... B

What year service manual do you have?

The 2003-04 manual I have, p.19-9, says LF,RF,RR,LR. Seems odd to me, but it doesn't say anything about the ABS, just to look for bubbles.

 

[archie]

Brake Fluid Flush

I have a 03 element, and need to do a brake fluid flush. Does anyone know the order (Brake bleeder)I have to go to get this done? I was told by honda that there is a specific order. Thanks

 

[bcastillo1289]

I don't know it off the top of my head, but it's not your typical BR,BL,FR,FL.

I'm actually looking into doing a fluid change this week so a little refresher would be nice.

 

[AztecRol]

I have a 03 element, and need to do a brake fluid flush. Does anyone know the order (Brake bleeder)I have to go to get this done? I was told by honda that there is a specific order. Thanks

Moved your thread into here. Your answer is in this thread.

 

[marksbug]

so what fluid do these things take?

 

[ApriliaGuy]

so what fluid do these things take?

Synthetic....Wallymart or Aimsoil. :twisted: