Brake Line Replacement - Bleeding question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 104
Likes: 3
From: Castaic California
Brake Line Replacement - Bleeding question
Hey everybody, I am looking to swap the stock lines for braided steel lines to improve my brake pedal feel. I have read a lot about doing it and it seems that the bleed procedure is pretty typical to everything else I have ever done, but I've never fully replaced fluid on anything with ABS. So, my question is, if I replace the soft lines only, how likely is it that I will have to modulate the ABS in order to bleed the brakes properly? I have seen that you can generally get away with it but others say that you can't so I am curious if anyone has any actual experience with just changing the lines, and filling the system with new fluid.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 392
From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
I've had to remove my rear brakes. I capped the brake lines to keep the fluid in the line while I worked so as to not get air into the ABS. Afterwards, I bled them as normal and had no problems.
It is my understanding that you need a Tech2 to bleed the ABS properly. Some people say to bleed the brakes, then a few stops on a slippery surface and bleed again. I don't know if this is correct and I have a Tech2 so I was not worried about using my method if it did not work.
It is my understanding that you need a Tech2 to bleed the ABS properly. Some people say to bleed the brakes, then a few stops on a slippery surface and bleed again. I don't know if this is correct and I have a Tech2 so I was not worried about using my method if it did not work.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 72
Likes: 3
From: Carmel IN
From the what it's worth department, I removed my front braided lines because they were rubbing against my suspension. If I remember correctly it was the control arm.
Anyway, the line was wearing thru. Also, I had no trouble bleeding via the normal method.
Anyway, the line was wearing thru. Also, I had no trouble bleeding via the normal method.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,631
So long as the brake reserve tank maintains fluid it it, does not go dry to put air into the ABS pump below it, you should not have to use a tech II to cycle the abs pump to pull air out of it.
Where the problem comes in, guys will pull the calipers, allow all the fluid to drain out of the system, and this introduces air into the ABS pump and valves, requiring a Tech II to cycle the ABS pump to push the air out of it.
Note, on a C5, you have to use a pressure bleeder as well on the tank, than just the Tech II alone. I still use a pressure bleeder on the C6's while cycling the ABS pump, but just a force of habit isntead.
Where the problem comes in, guys will pull the calipers, allow all the fluid to drain out of the system, and this introduces air into the ABS pump and valves, requiring a Tech II to cycle the ABS pump to push the air out of it.
Note, on a C5, you have to use a pressure bleeder as well on the tank, than just the Tech II alone. I still use a pressure bleeder on the C6's while cycling the ABS pump, but just a force of habit isntead.
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