I noticed the maint. book calls for the brake fluid to be replaced every 3 years, mine is a 2008 born in Feb. so, in the spring, I'll have the fluid changed, with that said, the fluid does attract water and once on my Goldwing, the fluid turned to mush....do you know if your brake fluid has ever been changed? Also always use unopened fluid for this, just to make sure it has not been exposed to the humidity in the air.

Best wishes and good luck, maybe have a local break repair place to a fluid change first, then report back to us.

 

Made an appointment for monday, will keep everyone updated. At 110,000 miles, a lot more could be wrong with it, so I won't complain :act029:

 

Since new I have not been pleased with the brake feel. The one thing I don't like about the truck is the brake feel.

110000 miles though no resaon to complain.

Frank

 

It could be one of many things causing this problem; i.e. lines, calipers, air in the system, booster, master cylinder, ect but pulling to one side, if thats what you mean by leaning kind of sounds like a line or caliper. Will be looking forward to hearing the fix

 

Agree with the above assessment but want to add two things: 1) you may have MORE than one problem, as you described at least two different symptoms, and 2) if you can, take your truck to a really competent brake system mechanic.

My experiences with dealer mechanics is they have a tendency to do "shotgun" repairs until symptoms go away. A "shotgun" repair is basically replacing components that might/maybe/could be causing the problem without doing any real trouble-shooting first. This can get really expensive, especially if they replace several parts before the symptoms disappear, charging you (of course) for everything they replaced.

The fix may be as simple as a bleed/flush of your system, or something bigger, much bigger. I also look forward to hearing what the fix was.

 

It doesn't feel like it's applying uneven braking force, but rather the timing is just off. (feels like the right side applies a half second before the left side does)

 

A little background info for those who may have the same problem...
It's been very cold this past week, lows around -10 and highs around 15. Plenty of snow on the ground. Also, I do have recently resurfaced rotors and new brake pads.

 

Alright, after some reading up I decided to bleed the brakes myself... All I can say is wow - the brakes have not been this good since we bought it. The feel of the brake pedal and stopping power improved dramatically. Replaced all fluid with DOT3 Valvoline brake fluid. Made sure to bleed the brakes in the correct sequence, everything appears to be in working order.

 

Might be worth looking at the manual because I think it says to use only Honda brake fluid and not DOT3. If you do use DOT3, I believe it says it is OK only if it is temporary and to switch to Honda brake fluid ASAP. I remember seeing that somewhere on here. Just something to think about. Maybe one of the more mechanically inclined will post.

 

Congratulations, now please tell us what the correct sequence is and how difficult was it to do the job yourself....:act035:

 

It wasn't too difficult, took under an hour. I started at the furthest away from the master cylinder. The order was rear right, rear left, front right, then front left.

In my case, I had suspected air in the lines, so all I wanted to do is eliminate the air from the system. Removing the wheels is not necessary. I started in the correct order with the rear right. With a brake bleeding wrench (10mm), I opened the bleeder and had an assistant pump the brakes. After the air was out and the fluid came out in a steady stream, I moved on to the next wheel etc... After all four wheels were completed, I filled up the reservoir and voila! Very dramatic improvement

 

Hmm, this isn't grounds for me to re-bleed the brakes is it?

 

It's your truck and your call.
When I do mine in the spring (it will be 3.5 years ownership), I will follow the service manual.
I doubt it makes much difference but I am not a mechanic.

 

That sequence in the service manual is interesting, its backwards from everything I have ever been taught and have been doing for the last 30 some years, with the exception of the chryslers "K" cars.

 

Read this thread, post #15. Someone else posted a page from the manual

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37655&highlight=honda+brake+fluid&page=2

 

That's it!

I thought I had read that on here.

Thanks for posting.

 

I think that the Honda DOT3 requirement is just a way to get you into the stealership. If the Ridgeline can't use any other fluid than Honda DOT3, how can they sell the car in the US?

I'm sure the Honda DOT3 carries a PREMIUM price as well (hint hint).

That's just like saying that you can't use any other motor oil other than Honda branded motor oil. They recommend it so you feel you have to go to Honda, but in actuality any good grade of equivalent motor oil will work, cannot void your waranty.

So what's next, you can only run Michelin tires from Honda, not Yoko's, or any American brand?

By law to do business in the U.S. they have to be able to use whatever products you want as long as it meet the manufacturers specs. Have there been any cases where Honda has refused to fix something because a person used a high quality motor oil that meets SAE standards but was not Honda branded? If Honda has then that should be enough to ward people away from Honda and would ruin their rapidly diminishing reputation even more, would be for me.

If the Honda is that sensitive and easily damaged, then it's a Yugo from the get-go.

Sorry for venting.

 

I don't know...

http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/25/autos/honda_recall/index.htm

I think it's just a good thing to listen to what they say.

I know they like you to use Honda coolant, transmission fluid, and VTM-4 fluid as well. No restrictions on motor oil though.

Oh well.

 

After a little research, some Honda fluids are actually different than their equivalent. However, brake fluid appears to be the same. DOT3 brake fluid is just DOT3 brake fluid. The DOT stands for Department of Transportation, which means that it meets a certain standard specified by the government. If Honda's brake fluid meets these requirements just as other manufactures' fluid does. I don't know why the service manual calls specifically for Honda DOT3, probably just to cover their own butts. As far as I'm concerned, I can say with confidence that the fluid I have put in will be the same as Honda's.

 

I seem to remember an article out on some Honda's brake master cylinder being the cause of spongy feeling brakes. IIRC, there is either a recall or TSB out on this issue.

 

i am having the same problem with my 2010 ridge - had a 2006 ridge with much better stock braking performance. brought into the dealer and after driving around the block said there is no problems with brakes-have since did research and found that there is recall on the Odyssey with spongy brakes-seems that the VSA will actually let air into the braking system-WOW

so i am suspicious that bleeding the brakes is temporary fix and Honda not sure how to fix the problem

so, round 2 with the service dept starts-service did not even try to bleed brakes / nothing - just said its normal and its far from normal. just ashamed that they won't get off their butt and do the right thing without me having to raise hell, which i will be glad to do.