DIY Brake bleeding for ABS

[Mercuri]

Hi all DIYers,

Has anyone tried bleeding their ABS equipped brake before? I search the web for info but seems like the procedure is different than those brake system without ABS.

 

Also come across a number of comments that vacuum bleeder is better than pressure bleeding.

 

Anyone can share info on the above?

 

anyway, side track a bit...I have tried changing tranny oil today... used 2 bottles to so call "flush" as i know 2 bottles not enough. but decided not to as too tedious to feed in the 3rd bottle as i had to used funnel and plastic tubing into the ATF dipstick. Takes ages to feed in just one bottle. Hand ache like siow! Maybe will try using water pump meant for aquarium the next time!

 

any one got better idea to feed ATF thru dipstick?

[Krieger]

Please do not change the ABS brake system fluid yourself.. Please. Save some $ on other things then use it to change. It's your safety brakes my friend. For yourself, family and others.

[Friendstar]

This is car forum, all the hard core enthusiast are here.

[Kb27]

I've read that to completely bleed the old brake fluid, you need to cycle or activate the ABS. The proper way would be to use a diagnostic tool to cycle it.

However to some DIYers, they have treat it as normal bleeding and don't have any problem with it.

Some even just do a suck and fill method regularly over a period of time...eventually the old fluid will be renewed.

So getting the old fluid out of the ABS is not critical.

 

There are also some who tricked the ABS into firing to get the old fluid out, but I'm not sure how it's done.

I think it involves getting the car on jackstand, getting the wheel to spin fast enough, then slamming on the brake.

[Megalord]

That is one physical way to get the ABS working. An alternative way is to play with the ABS IO signal, and apply the necessary signal to work it. It varies from car to car, so... Well, it would be good to find out for the particular make and model, isn't it?

But after much thoughts on it, i deem it not really necessary. Diffusion and stuffs still works in borate ether thingys. If you bleed often enough, my take is, there might be no need for the ABS to be bled directly.

[Megalord]

The first time i visited some workshop in AMK for the job, i was rudely shocked by how they did bleeding. When i eventually returned home, i immediately got my stuffs out to re-bleed the system. its indeed about my safety, so no compromise. Sometimes its not that money gets the job done.

[Mercuri]

I share your sentiments....

 

When i did my brake bleeding in JB, i found that they left behind junk in the brake reservoir while trying to suck out the oil brake fluid before they start the bleeding process.

 

only discovered that when i got home and check...was damned pissed! Vow not to go workshop to servicing anymore(those work i think i can managed ones!)of course some of the more reputable ones are excluded lah!

 

Yes, its not able the $ part that i am trying to save! just want to get the job done properly..

Edited March 10, 2008 by Mercuri

[Yeobh]

May I add, most of the ABS brake systems can be flush using low pressure or vacuum breeders. There are some US make cars from Ford and Chryler and some European top brands, in order to bleed the system you need to activate the ABS system via a simulator or OEM scanner.

[Megalord]

Indeed. Something similar happened for lubrication issues too. Shop A said brand A oil better, then must go thick thick, more protection. Then another time Shop B said Brand A oil is useless, must use brand B one. Thickness cannot go too thick, as long as in spec can liao. Then Shop C say Brand C oil is bestest, got only one vis rating, so this thickness is the most optimal thickness for all engines.

I didn't take me long to give up and start learning abit of lubrication stuff since money couldn't get a consistant information i want. End of the day i put those engine oils for the old diesel pickups. All too thick for normal use.

[Mercuri]

Hi Yeo,

I knew you would come in this thread!

 

I know some car makes can use vacuum bleeder using the simulator and scanner. But do you know if toyota cars need one too?

 

I noticed that there is a bleeder valve on my car's ABS. would using a vacuum bleeder like mityvac do the job?. I presumed the ABS is the last after all wheel being bled?

 

any advise? Thanks!

[Yeobh]

Have not come across any Japan manufactured cars with ABS directly controlled by the on-board computer.

The bleeding valve on the ABS maybe used for bench bleeding when installating a completely new unit.

Most of the ABS units are not affected by vaccum bleeding - yes, a Mityvac or similar hand operated vacuum pump will do the work perfectly.

 

My suggestion is you a draw as much used brake fluid from the reserviour using a used syring and replace with fresh fluid.By doing this excercis you will cut down the foreign matters and dirts from travelling down the system.

 

Happy DIY