Hi everybody, I think it's time to bleed the brakes on my '99 Civic LX, and I was wondering if anyone has ever used a product like EEZIBLEED to do it. I'm having a little difficulty finding a volunteer to help me pump the brake pedal. Or has anyone tried using the SpeedBleeder one way valve screw?

 

You can bleed brakes by yourself. I made my own bleeder bottle with a soda bottle w/cap and a piece of tygon tubing. Any flexible tubing that fits snugly over the bleeder screw will work for a one time application.

First put a hole in the cap of the soda bottle. Put the hose through the hole in the soda bottle. Make the hole a tad smaller than the tube so the tube is held securely for convienience. Push the hose through the hole until the end reaches the bottom of the soda bottle.

Start with a small amount of brake fluid in the bottle. You want to begin with the end of the hose in the bottle under fluid.

Put your box end wrench on the bleeder screw, put the end of the hose of your bleeder bottle onto the bleeder screw and open the screw about half a turn.

Begin pumping your brake pedal. Not too fast. And, don't push the pedal all the way to the floor. Stop about halfway down and release the pedal. Pushing the pedal all the way to the floor can damage the master cylinder and require it's replacement.
Monitor the fluid level in the master cylinder. Don't let it go dry or else you'll have to bleed IT which is a seperate and pain in the ass process.

Once you see clean fluid in the bleeder bottle coming from the lines, shut the bleeder screw, remove the hose and repeat the process for the other wheels. When you are done, clean off the bleeder screws with some brake cleaner and put pressure on the pedal for a minute. Then check the bleeder screws for any leakage.

 

The reason I was asking about the other ways of bleeding brakes was because I don't see how I can step on the brake and open and close the bleeder valve by myself. On a side note, is it necessary to use Honda brand brake fluid or can I just get any brand?

 

With a bleeder bottle you dont need to open/close/open/close just open it pump it and close it. That is why I suggested it. I would use honda brake fluid, however any dot 3 or 4 will work.

 

I've used SpeedBleeder valves, they worked OK. But I'm in Ohio, so after 2 years of snow & salt they didn't work so hot the next time...

 

It is very possible to bleed your own brakes. You just have to be familiar with the system and be able to multitask very well.

You can use a tube that goes over the valve and right into a bottle. Fill the reservoir up and start pumping. Pump a few times, and then check on the reservior. Then check on the valve. If you use a clear tube, you can see whether or not it is new or old fluid coming out.

 

You dont open and close the valve and pump the brakes at the same time. When you release the brake pedal...fluid doesnt gush out. The valve will remain open till new fluid is coming out and you are ready to close it and move to the next wheel.

...note...make sure you know the order you are bleeding the brakes.

 

drive to a friends house or ask some stranger haha