Refilling Rear Brake Fluid

tbgonz
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tbgonz
Edited Date/Time 4/3/2016 5:29pm
A CR250 I bought came a little low rear brake fluid. Brakes work just fine. Can I open the reservoir and just top off the brake fluid or do I need to bleed the brakes? The manual isn't very clear on whether just opening the cap and topping off is fine or not. Is bleeding the brakes only necessary if brakes are feeling mushy/not working very well?

Thanks.
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mb
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mb 4/3/2016 3:37pm
4/3/2016 3:37pm
You can, but I would just flush and replace with new. Doesn't take 5 minutes.
tbgonz
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tbgonz 4/3/2016 3:58pm
4/3/2016 3:58pm
What's the trick with flushing it? My understanding is you don't want to run out of fluid so air doesn't get in the line, but if you put new fluid in to keep it from getting too low while bleeding the line aren't you really just mixing fluids and probably flushing out new fluid? I've never bleed brakes before and trying to understand so I don't screw up my brakes.
beamer
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beamer 4/3/2016 5:00pm
4/3/2016 5:00pm
Bleed out old fluid to replace with new. Can be done easily by yourself , but if you have a helper for the first time makes it a little easier.

First of all make sure you have the right fluid, prob dot 4 but make sure in the manual.

Take of master cylinder cap, get yourself a short piece of hose that you can put over the nipple of the bleeder that will reach a catch basin sitting on the floor.

With the hose on, and the cap removed, pump the brake lever and hold it. With your other hand if doing it yourself crack the bleeder and let the fluid run out into catch basin. Do not let go of the brake lever it will bottom out very quickly. Close the bleeder then release the brake lever. You will notice the master cylinder will be a little low on fluid, and keep repeating. Add fluid once there is room to add more.

After a few repetitions , you will effectively replace the fluid thruout the entire system, and your done!

Top off the master cylinder and replace the cap.

Simple as that!

1
tbgonz
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tbgonz 4/3/2016 5:29pm
4/3/2016 5:29pm
beamer wrote:
Bleed out old fluid to replace with new. Can be done easily by yourself , but if you have a helper for the first time makes...
Bleed out old fluid to replace with new. Can be done easily by yourself , but if you have a helper for the first time makes it a little easier.

First of all make sure you have the right fluid, prob dot 4 but make sure in the manual.

Take of master cylinder cap, get yourself a short piece of hose that you can put over the nipple of the bleeder that will reach a catch basin sitting on the floor.

With the hose on, and the cap removed, pump the brake lever and hold it. With your other hand if doing it yourself crack the bleeder and let the fluid run out into catch basin. Do not let go of the brake lever it will bottom out very quickly. Close the bleeder then release the brake lever. You will notice the master cylinder will be a little low on fluid, and keep repeating. Add fluid once there is room to add more.

After a few repetitions , you will effectively replace the fluid thruout the entire system, and your done!

Top off the master cylinder and replace the cap.

Simple as that!

Thanks! Sounds pretty simple. I'll give it a shot.

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