Brake HELP/ADVICE
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 56
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From: Fort Worth Texas
Brake HELP/ADVICE
Ok, before I thought it completely through I think i may have goofed. I am having my brake calipers painted and have already taken them off the car. With that being said the lines were left on and the fluid drained out via gravity. I did not push the pistons back in while lines were still attached. I have taped the ends off and and what fluid is there is stagnet for the time being. I have been told to take some soft clamps and hold the lines closed as in a pinch and refill with brake fluid until I put them back on. I plan on taking it to the dealership once I get my calipers back from paint and installed to have them bled since I may have possibly messed with the ABS modle by letting the fluid go out. My question is would this be fine or would you suggest I leave them be until I get the calipers back on or something else. Please advise as any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati OH
Just bleed it normally, one wheel at a time until you get a steady flow of fluid from all four lines. I believe there is a procedure in your owner's manual but I haven't checked in ages.
ETA: I believe the ABS unit has valves to protect against this type of issue. In either case, you can always re-bleed the brakes in a day or two if any softness remains in the pedal while driving.
ETA: I believe the ABS unit has valves to protect against this type of issue. In either case, you can always re-bleed the brakes in a day or two if any softness remains in the pedal while driving.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Ok, before I thought it completely through I think i may have goofed. I am having my brake calipers painted and have already taken them off the car. With that being said the lines were left on and the fluid drained out via gravity. I did not push the pistons back in while lines were still attached. I have taped the ends off and and what fluid is there is stagnet for the time being. I have been told to take some soft clamps and hold the lines closed as in a pinch and refill with brake fluid until I put them back on. I plan on taking it to the dealership once I get my calipers back from paint and installed to have them bled since I may have possibly messed with the ABS modle by letting the fluid go out. My question is would this be fine or would you suggest I leave them be until I get the calipers back on or something else. Please advise as any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
If you're definitely going to take it to the dealer to have it bled afterwards it doesn't really matter. BUT if you have the means to remove your brake calipers you should also have the ability to bleed your own brakes. I'd attempt it myself before paying a dealer to do it. You'll only need a tech II for the bleeding if you actually did get air into your abs module. If you didn't you can bleed them on your own and save yourself some money by possibly avoiding the dealer.
San
