How to Replace & Install a 1995 Civic Master Cylinder

The Honda Civic began its production life in 1973 as a simple and economical compact vehicle. Though it has become much more complex over the years, it retains its relative simplicity. The 1995 Civic came standard with typical-for-the-era front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, but had optional disc brakes available on premium trim levels -- EX and Si. The hydraulic system used to power these brakes is sensitive to air pockets, but there is a small valve on each caliper or wheel cylinder that allow you to bleed air from the system.

Instructions

Unscrew the cap from the master cylinder and siphon out as much of the brake fluid from the reservoir as possible with a turkey baster. Transfer this removed fluid to a small, sealable container and seal the container.

Press and hold the unlocking button on the brake fluid sensor wiring harness and unplug the harness.

Hold a small drain pan under the master cylinder. Loosen the brake line fittings with a line wrench and pull the lines from the master cylinder. Allow the fluid to drain into the drain pan. Remove the pan once the fluid stops draining.

Wrap clean, lint-free cloths around the ends of the two brake lines to prevent debris from getting in them.

Loosen the two master cylinder-retaining nuts with a ratchet and socket, and pull the master cylinder off the brake booster.

Position the new master cylinder in a bench wise with rubber jaw protectors. Tighten the vise until it has a firm grip on the master cylinder -- do not over-tighten the vise, as you risk cracking the master cylinder.

Hand-thread the two bleeder hoses included with the master cylinder bleeding kit into the ports on the new master cylinder. Snug the bleeder lines into the master cylinder with a line wrench. Fill the reservoir in the new master cylinder with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid, and bend the bleeder hoses so their ends go into the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir.

Press and release the plunger on the rear of the master cylinder with a wooden dowel rod and watch the submerged ends of the bleeder hoses for air bubbles. Continue pressing and releasing the plunger until no air bubbles come from the bleeder hoses.

Loosen the bleeder hoses with a line wrench and remove the bleeder hoses from the master cylinder.

Loosen the bench vise and pull the master cylinder from the vise. Set the master cylinder on its mounted studs on the brake booster and hand-thread its retaining nuts. Tighten the master cylinder retaining nuts to 11 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

Hand-thread the brake lines into the ports on the master cylinder and tighten them to 14 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and crows foot attachment.

Fill the new master cylinder to the Max line with new DOT 3 brake fluid. Connect the brake fluid level sensor wiring harness to the level sensor receptacle on the master cylinder.

Raise the rear of the Honda off the ground with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its rear lower control arms. Lower the Honda onto the jack stands. Raise the front of the Civic off the ground with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its sub-frame. Lower the Honda onto the jack stands.

Crawl under the rear of the vehicle, so you are just behind the right rear wheel. Press one end of a -inch-diameter rubber hose onto the bleeder valve -- the -inch metal valve -- on the top of the drum backing plate or caliper, depending on options.

Set the free end of the rubber hose into a clean, clear container and fill the container with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid until it submerges the end of the rubber hose.

Instruct an assistant to press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm, then hold pressure on the pedal. Open the bleeder valve by turning it counterclockwise a quarter-turn with a combination wrench. Look at the submerged end of the hose and watch for air bubbles. Tighten the bleeder valve, then instruct your assistant to release the brake pedal. Repeat this step until no bubbles come from the hose.

Pull the -inch-diameter rubber hose from the bleeder valve. Refill the brake master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid until it reaches the Max line.

Repeat steps 2 through 5 on the remaining three wheels, in the following order: left front, left rear, then right front.

Raise the front of the Civic off the jack stands with a floor jack, then remove the jack stands. Lower the front of the Civic to the ground. Raise the back end of the Civic off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the rear of the car to the ground.

Take any old brake fluid to a used automotive fluid recycling center. Some auto parts stores take old fluid free of charge.