How to bleed ABS Brakes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,419
Likes: 0
From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Re: How to bleed ABS Brakes (Texas CE)
I just got done checking my repair manual, and it does not specify anything different for ABS brakes than non ABS brakes.
It also states to raise the front of the car to keep air from getting trapped in the calipers, also to start on the left rear, then right rear, then front left, then front right (the order of the wheels is different than what I have been told).
Good luck.
It also states to raise the front of the car to keep air from getting trapped in the calipers, also to start on the left rear, then right rear, then front left, then front right (the order of the wheels is different than what I have been told).
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: How to bleed ABS Brakes (Texas CE)
The easiest way is to block off flow from the master cylinder before you begin work. Do this by depressing the brake pedal and locking it into place by wedging a piece of material between the driver seat on the brake pedal.
Now when you remove the line, there will be very little fluid lost, the master cylinder will not drain out and the ABS pump will not loose it's prime.
Once the new hose is on and all fittings are tight, simply release the brake pedal, open the bleeder screw from the caliper you replaced the hose on, and let gravity drain the fluid from the bleeder screw. Make sure you constantly monitor the brake resevoir to keep it FULL!
Again, this is the most important thing: Make sure you constantly monitor the brake resevoir to keep it FULL!
After you gravity drain the caliper for about 1/2 of a brake bottle of fluid...that caliper will be pretty close to air free.
After you do all hoses involved...do one last gravity bleed, or even a forced bleed ( with an assistant to open/close the bleeder screw whil you press the pedal ).
This should take care of the whole thing.
Now when you remove the line, there will be very little fluid lost, the master cylinder will not drain out and the ABS pump will not loose it's prime.
Once the new hose is on and all fittings are tight, simply release the brake pedal, open the bleeder screw from the caliper you replaced the hose on, and let gravity drain the fluid from the bleeder screw. Make sure you constantly monitor the brake resevoir to keep it FULL!
Again, this is the most important thing: Make sure you constantly monitor the brake resevoir to keep it FULL!
After you gravity drain the caliper for about 1/2 of a brake bottle of fluid...that caliper will be pretty close to air free.
After you do all hoses involved...do one last gravity bleed, or even a forced bleed ( with an assistant to open/close the bleeder screw whil you press the pedal ).
This should take care of the whole thing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Helotes TX
Re: How to bleed ABS Brakes (Texas CE)
I appreciate all the information. I will tackle this job in a month or so (when the wife & daughter are visiting relatives) and let you know how it turned out!
Thanks everyone!
Thanks everyone!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: How to bleed ABS Brakes (Texas CE)
A word of caution on the assisted bleeding. Don't let the person push the brake pedal to the floor while you are bleeding the caliper/lines. This can cause the master cylinder to leak as the pistion is forced all the way into the bore which is not normal for braking. Just a thought.
[Modified by ittlfly, 3:15 PM 6/21/2002]
[Modified by ittlfly, 3:15 PM 6/21/2002]
