If I didn't undo the hydraulic line, shouldn't everything be the same? My pedal now has about 4 inches of play before it starts to actually engage. I've yet to drive it, but this is how it feels sitting in the garage. I have read and seen how to adjust the pedal height. My question is, I didn't undo any lines, so my lack of honda knowledge brain says I shouldn't have to change anything. Do I need to bleed the system now?

 

If the pedal isn't spongy or lack pressure, then adjust the pedal height to spec.

 

Maybe I used the wrong words. I would say it's spongy. It's like nothing happens when I push the clutch for the first 4 inches. Then the last 2 inches or so is when I can feel it actually do stuff.

 

In that case, bleed thoroughly.

 

Ok, but just to verify, having to bleed the system is common even if you only unbolt the slave cylinder yet don't undo any lines?

 

Bleed it first. You may have gotten air in the line if you overextended the piston.

If the bleeding doesn't work, don't adjust the height. Adjust the master cylinder freeplay.

 

Thanks man, that seemed to take care of it. Plus it got all the old nasty fluid out and fresh stuff in.

 

Adjusting the pedal height and MC free play go hand in hand.

 

You can adjust freeplay without affecting height.

 

Proper free play (B) is a consequence of properly adjusting stroke (A) and height (C). From the service manual:

 

Ehhhhh....yes. But you can change freeplay without changing height.

If you removed the MC from the car, the pedal would still return (via the pedal spring) to the height set by the height set screw. If the return spring was in the MC and the MC returned the pedal...you would need to set height and freeplay together each time.

However, since the MC doesn't return the pedal...the freeplay can be adjusted independently.

You may be out of adjustment RANGE if the height isn't right. Like.....you cannot get any less freeplay if the pedal is depressed half way, for example.

But...why would the height suddenly be maladjusted? The height as set from the factory is fine and virtually constant. So its best not to mess with it. The freeplay at the factory height can be manipulated without changing height.


In other words, at factory height, you have a full RANGE of freeplay adjustment. If you don't, the MC rod is too long or short and is out of tolerance (defective *** parts made by defective *** fools). If you have full range of freeplay adjustment, why change the height?

Height needs to be set if you're replacing the pedal. Once height is set...freeplay adjustment is all you need to mess with.

 

People mess with the pushrod adjustment without knowing what they're doing, so it's prudent to check it.

Look at the diagram. Adjusting the pushrod affects the pedal height adjustment - they go hand in hand and are inseparable. And pedal height likewise affects free play. Do you see a specific procedure for adjusting free play in the diagram? You don't because when you adjust stroke and height properly, you get proper free play.