Rockrat

It's weekend wrench time again and I am at a loss as to exactly how to flush my brakes of the old fluid. My Haynes manual (which has been great so far w/ instruction on changing plugs, flushing the radiator, etc.) is coming up short in this category, though it has loads of info on "bleeding" the brakes. Has anyone done a full brake flush? I have a mighty vac and Haynes speed bleeders on the front brakes, but am not clear on how to proceed. Do I suck all the old fluid out and then add new in from the reservoirs; or do I slowly add fluid as I remove the old stuff being careful not to introduce air into the lines? Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks Tim Gale
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drrod

I think the BB brakes are the same as the ST.
Here is the bleeding sequence for the ST:

Brake Lever

1. Left Outer (upper) bleed valve.
2. Right Outer (upper) bleed valve.

Brake Pedal

1. Remove and tilt left front caliper 15 degrees (wood shims inserted between the pads will keep the pads from extending while~if pedal is pumped)
2. Proportioning Control bleed valve.
3. Rear Brake Center bleed valve.
4. Right Front Center bleed valve.
5. Left Front Center bleed valve.
6. Rear Outer (forward) bleed valve.

If you take a turkey baster and suck out nearly all of the old brake fluid in both the front and rear resevoirs it reduces the amount of new brake fluid needed to do a flush. Just ensure that you leave enough of the old fluid in the resevoir to cover the outlet otherwise air will be introduced and that takes a lot to get out.

Other than that, it is just a matter of going in sequence (because of the linked brake system) and it will go good. It is helpful to have an assistant but it is possible to do it yourself. Just make sure the resevoirs don't run dry or you have to start all over again.
Hope this helps.
Rod

smr96

Also, after sucking out the fluid from the resevoir, unbolt the caliper[s] and press the pistons all the way in by spreading the pads apart. This will force fluid still in the line up into the resevoir where you can then suck it out too, leaving very little old fluid left to bleed. TIP: You may want to clean around the brake pistons before pushing them all the way into the caliper to keep whatever grime from getting in.

Rockrat

Thanks for the extra tip on brake flushing, every little bit helps.
Ride safe

Tim

smurf211

Yo has a procedure that works for me every time although I kinda modified it by doing the rear first and then following his procedure. You end up doing the rears twice but what the hey. Let me find the link for you.

Here it is: Some XX-Workshops

Poundstretcher

The only thing that seems to work for me is following the Honda Manual procedure.