Bleeding ABS at home?

[Steptoe]

Try this very good link:http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161264&highlight=bleed+brakes

Good for making a drama out of a very simple procedure


I only bleed the ABS module if the circuit has been broken i.e. lines changed etc

 

[pomm001]

Nooooo!

The ABS unit has got two bleed nipples on it (one each for front and rear). I believe that the book says to bleed this unit before bleeding the calliper.

Greg

you would only need to bleed the ABS unit if you need to replace any lines upto the unit itself.
If you just want to change the brake fluid kep the tank in place and bleed at the calipers until the new fluid comes out

 

[fatnfast]

This may be useful
http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/service_abs3.pdf

I am about to embark on my own servicing schedule, but having read this thread it seems that I do not need to bleed the ABS unit and can go direct to the calipers for a simple fluid change? Will this also pull the old fluid through from the ABS unit? The above link is very nice, but is it really all necessary?
BTW mines a 2002 1150gs with the BMW branded calipers, ABS and no servo.

 

[davegs]

Brakes

Why don't you all get out there and just do it?. (and bleed the brakes as well).
dave gs.

 

[(RIP) Mark Dilloway]

I'm pretty good with these things but still managed to get it wrong. The dealers use a funnel attached to the ABS Servo under the tank to make sure that they can see the fluid level going down - the servos push it through really quickly. I didn't know this at the time so - oops I got air into the system. Vines - nice people sorted me out FOC.

However as Steptoe has said if you want to bleed the brakes at the caliper end its normal procedure because you have to consider the brake system as three units: lever to ABS, ABS unit, ABS to caliper. The rule still applies that you need to have a decent reservoir because when you open the bleed nipple on the caliper the servos really squirts it through.

When I did it my reservoir on the handlebar drained and I got air into the ABS - doh. So the had to work through the system. Still didn't manage it so had to make my visit to Vines.

So the moral is - take care when bleeding!!

 

[slalom]

I also am not sure if bleeding from the caliper will pull fluid through the ABS unit. I'm changing fluid because it will have absorbed water over 18 months or so ,and do not want to b------- up the ABS unit.



Graham

 

[pomm001]

I also am not sure if bleeding from the caliper will pull fluid through the ABS unit. I'm changing fluid because it will have absorbed water over 18 months or so ,and do not want to b------- up the ABS unit.



Graham

yes it will push the old fluid out,remember to bleed all caliplers to purge old fluid

if your not confident about doing it take it to someone who is

 

[Greg Masters]

I also am not sure if bleeding from the caliper will pull fluid through the ABS unit. I'm changing fluid because it will have absorbed water over 18 months or so ,and do not want to b------- up the ABS unit.

Graham

Looking at the schematic in the 1150GS manual, the fluid WILL get pulled through the ABS unit on both front and rear circuits by bleeding at the calliper.

However, the ABS unit is a high point in the system. If you've got air in the lines for any reason, the ABS unit should be bled.

Greg

 

[slalom]

Looking at the schematic in the 1150GS manual, the fluid WILL get pulled through the ABS unit on both front and rear circuits by bleeding at the calliper.

However, the ABS unit is a high point in the system. If you've got air in the lines for any reason, the ABS unit should be bled.

Greg

No, no air in system, just concerned about water.
On a K100 years ago I forgot to change fluid for a long time and enjoyed rear brake failure on a steep pass in the alps. The brake returned after a short while.
On changing it back home I was appalled at the filthy fluid that emerged, and of course, after a few months both master cylinders failed. Lesson learned!
Thanks for your help guys.

Graham