Honda rear brake caliper bleeding

[K24A4]

Hello,

Yesterday I replaced the left-rear brake caliper on my 2003 accord. The parking brake mechanism seized up, so I bought a re-manufactured unit. Everything during the install went fine (Eric’s videos were a great help) but when it came to bleeding the caliper, it seemed like I had to pump the brake pedal quite hard (almost to the floor) to bleed the caliper. In the past, I don’t remember it taking too much force to get the fluid going. I know you are not supposed to “bottom out” the brake when bleeding. Once I got the fluid going it seemed to bleed easier, and I was able to get just fluid out of my bleeder hose. Anyone else have a similar experience? I guess I’m a little concerned that I put too much force on the master cylinder….but I’m probably worrying about nothing.

The brakes seem to be working properly, but now I notice the first 1-2 inches of the brake pedal is a little softer than it used to be; but the brakes grab hard after that point. Does this sound like there might be a little air in the system?

Thanks for any help/insight.

Greg

Topic

[Pengy]

Yes it sounds like air in the system. Try slamming on the brakes when going at speed (with no cars around) to force your caliper to set in the right spot, then bleed again after you let the vehicle sit for a couple hours to let any small air bubbles rise.

[K24A4]

I just wanted to report that I have fixed my problem. I bled the entire brake system, and now all is well. Despite clamping off my brake lines at each caliper, a little air must have still worked its way into the system.

[EricTheCarGuy]

The problem you described sounded like the bleeder wasn’t allowing flow through it. I see this from time to time. Sometimes you can remove them, clean the, and they work better.

Thanks for keeping us up to date and for using the ETCG forum.

[K24A4]

Hey Eric,

Interestingly, this was a new bleeder valve on a remanufactured Centric caliper. The brake fluid that I eventually got out of it was pretty dark…could the seized caliper have caused a blockage within that brake line? Doubtful in my opinion. Originally, I thought it was a problem with the aftermarket bleeder valve, so I put the old Honda one back on…and with the new caliper + old bleeder valve, it leaked at the threads…so I went back to the new bleeder valve.

I’m still not 100% happy with the feel of my brake pedal. I think I’m going to bleed it again…for the 2nd time. On my 2003 accord the Honda bleed order is LF, RF, RR, LR. Shortest brake line to longest.

Thanks,
Greg

[Pengy]

The convention is to do the furthest brake from the master cylinder first then shorter and shorter, so it should be RR, LR, RF, LF.

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