Which brake fluid to use?

[KombatVirus]

Hey everybody

So I have a big brake job coming up, I am replacing all the rotors and all the pads, and am also flushing the brake system (Removing old fluid, adding new one, bleeding).

I am wondering which brake fluid would be best to use? People are saying only OEM Honda brake fluid, but will any other one work? Please post any experience you have had and with which fluid.

Thank you

 

[RedRyder]

Not much price difference, I'd just go with DOT-3 from Honda.

Its like motor oil though, nearly any reputable brand should be fine, long as its DOT-3.

 

[001Stunna]

I've used OEM, valvoline, prestone and all of them been fine.

 

[KombatVirus]

Perfect, I picked up some Prestone fluid

I have a question for anyone who has bled the brakes before, what size of the clear rubber tubing fits onto the bleeder valve?

Also does anyone have tips for this big job im going to tackle tomorrow? (All 4 brakes and rotors being changed, brake fluid flush)

 

[DarkSideAccord]

why do u need the clear tubing for the bleeder valve? I usually just remove the brake line and let the brake fluid drain from there... just make sure to do the following:

1. Keep adding to the brake fluid reservoir.. u don't want it to go empty
2. once u reattach the brake line, spray everything down with brake cleaner
3. if u remove ANY brake line, make sure to bleed the entire system

 

[RedRyder]

Get a friend to help you bleed the lines. Doing it alone sucks lol.

 

[KombatVirus]

I understand all of that, yes I have a friend helping me (or rather my father)

I just need some tubing so that the brake fluid doesnt get anywhere except for a container, and was wondering what size tubing people have used?

**
Also ,I have purchased some Prestone DOT3 synthetic brake fluid, hopefully its good

What is the brake bleeding sequence on a 2002 Accord 4 cylinder EX (Front&Rear Discs) with ABS?

 

[DarkSideAccord]

i just put the brake line into a bottle.....

bleed the one furthest from the master cylinder and work your way closer

 

[001Stunna]

I think the clear tubing I used was like 8-9mm and it made a tight fit on the nipple so you don't have to keep holding it on there.

What i've done in the past is...
-With the car turned off, take the wheel off on the corner you're working on; open brake fluid reservoir and suck off all fluid you can with a turkey baster and replenish with clean fluid
-Spray some penetrant/lubricant on the bleeder valve where it inserts into the caliper and allow to soak for 3-4mins(you don't want to snap a bleeder screw)
-Loosen the bleeder with your wrench first but take it easy and be gentle until its loose and then close it.
-Insert the clear tubing on the bleeder nipple(so your wrench is in between the tubing and caliper right now)
-Put the other end of the hose into a container(i've used a small pepsi bottle and drilled a hole in its cap to insert the hose)
-Hold/place the bottle such as that the tubing curves up from the nipple first. This way you'll see the bubbles as they come out(if any)
-Once ready, tell your buddy to pump brakes gently until pedal is hard and hold, he yells "holding"(make sure he pumps gently as the pedal will be traveling all the way to the bottom...it usually never does this and if you pump to roughly you can at times damage the seal in the brake master cylinder)
-You open bleeder and close bleeder. You yell "closed, pump"
-He pumps and hold and yells "holding"
-You open bleeder and close bleeder and yell "closed, pump"
-Repeat until clear fluid with no air bubbles comes out then move on to other corner. I usually do 8-10 times on each corner or longer if clear fluid doesn't come out by then.
***make sure you check and replenish the reservoir every 4-5x times***

The order i've done thats mentioned in the service manual is Driver Front/Passenger Front/Passenger Rear/Driver Rear.

 

[KombatVirus]

Perfect, thank you 001Stunna, exactly what I was looking for (8-9mm size)

Rep added

Thanks to everyone else for contributing