Just Bled my Brakes and Clutch

[Aluminsx]

Just Bled my Brakes and Clutch (Now with Pictures)

I visited Larry B so he could take a look at the 01 Spa Yellow NSX I just bought and he gave it a clean bill of health except for a couple of things: the TB/WP needs to get done due to age (not mileage) and the clutch and brake fluid needed to be bled. Now Larry is going to do the TB/WP but I figured that the clutch and brake bleed are easy enough.

I have a brake bleeder that works off of compressed air that works like a charm. I also have a 2000 Honda CRV that, more then likely, has the original brake and clutch fluid in it. Before I tackled the NSX job I figured I'd practice on the CRV. A Honda's a Honda is a Honda (I figure). I did the brake and clutch job this morning and, let me just tell you, the fluid looked like grey sludge. I'm amazed after doing the job that the brakes and clutch even worked. I'm not a mechanic by trade and, with the compressed air bleeder, the job took about an hour and change. The brakes and Clutch feel MUCH better.

I guess the point of this post is that if you have been ignoring your brake and clutch fluid ( it's not that hard to do) you should give it some attention. They are easy to ignore until something goes wrong. Next weekend I'm going to give the NSX a try. I don't think it will be any harder. Maybe I'll post some pictures.

 

[FogCityNSX]

I visited Larry B so he could take a look at the 01 Spa Yellow NSX I just bought and he gave it a clean bill of health except for a couple of things: the TB/WP needs to get done due to age (not mileage) and the clutch and brake fluid needed to be bled. Now Larry is going to do the TB/WP but I figured that the clutch and brake bleed are easy enough.

I have a brake bleeder that works off of compressed air that works like a charm. I also have a 2000 Honda CRV that, more then likely, has the original brake and clutch fluid in it. Before I tackled the NSX job I figured I'd practice on the CRV. A Honda's a Honda is a Honda (I figure). I did the brake and clutch job this morning and, let me just tell you, the fluid looked like grey sludge. I'm amazed after doing the job that the brakes and clutch even worked. I'm not a mechanic by trade and, with the compressed air bleeder, the job took about an hour and change. The brakes and Clutch feel MUCH better.

I guess the point of this post is that if you have been ignoring your brake and clutch fluid ( it's not that hard to do) you should give it some attention. They are easy to ignore until something goes wrong. Next weekend I'm going to give the NSX a try. I don't think it will be any harder. Maybe I'll post some pictures.

was just talking about that compressed air bleeder. What model/brand did you go for?

 

[Racerxjling]

Just remember, the NSX brake bleeding sequence is different from the normal starting furthest from the master cylinder to the closest etc. I use the mighty vac hooked up to my air compressor.

Jeff

 

[jlsnyderNSX]

I would like to know how it turns out. I need to do mine as well. :smile:

 

[Aluminsx]

was just talking about that compressed air bleeder. What model/brand did you go for?

I got a MityVac on Ebay for about 150 bucks. It works really well and, I think, pays for itself the first time you use it. Brake pedal is very firm. You don't even need to get in the car when you're doing the job. Just hook up the suction, crack the bleeder and let the fluid suck out until it's clear. Do that with all four and you're done (five if you count the clutch). It's even got a hopper that automatically feeds fluid into your reservoir while you're doing the job (that comes in handy). When I do the NSX next weekend I'll post an update. I hope it goes smooth.

 

[Aluminsx]

Okay. So I bled the clutch and brakes in the NSX with a Mityvac bleeder. I've attached some pictures that I took during the job. I could not find any pictures like these before I did my job so I hope these may help someone. The job went very smoothly except for the first clutch bleed. The hopper that feeds fluid into the master could not keep up with the suction so I got some air in the lines. Solved by shimming up the hopper and redoing the bleed. Another option would be to have a helper pour fluid into the master while you're sucking out the old fluid. Check out the picture of the old stuff. It will make you want to change your stuff tomorrow.

I'm no mechanic and I did the whole job in about an hour and change. Not a problem.

 

[Aluminsx]

Moderator can you move this post to the Do it yourself section.

 

[ChopsJazz]

Nice post. I especially like the part about replacing the timing belt due to age and not mileage.

Thanks for not asking for advice on this one other than a respected NSX tech! :wink:

 

[warrenw]

I bled my brakes this weekend as well.
I replaced the Master Cylinder in 15min. and took an hour to bleed the brakes.
Did it the old fashioned way with help of a friend.
Took over 1 litre of Brake Fluid (dot 4) and 6 beer (Guiness).

 

[FogCityNSX]

I did my clutch initially with a compressed air vacuum bleeder. It was a harbor freight deal. It worked ok until I shook it a piece of median in the "air muffler" got jammed in the orifice. It then immediately blew air completely through my clutch system from slave to master. I ended up doing it the old fashion way. So the cheapo brand worked ok until something went wrong lol.

Since then I've constructed my own pressure bleed system and did a test run on my brakes. Did one rear wheel. Works ok but had bugs I'm still working out. I'm also in the process of constructing my own vacuum bleed system but electric powered. I hate the air power versions simply because they are LOUD and the air compressor makes it even more miserable.