BLEEDING BRAKES

[jim elderfield]

Hiya Chaps,
I am building a bit of a special 1150 gsa with abs any tips on the best way to bleed the complete brake system starting with a complete empty system, I think bmw have a special brake bleeding kit that costs hundreds of pounds don't want to go down that route.
Any hints or advice would be very welcome.
Cheers jim 07774 804052

 

[pragmatix]

As long as its not evo brakes no probs, just bleed the ABS unit first, then the back brakes then the front, might have to go round twice, I had no probs others might say different

Pete A

 

[jim elderfield]

Hiya Pete,
thanks for the info, no evo brakes, do you have to bleed both sections of the abs unit before starting on the front and back brakes?
Cheers jim

 

[Mick O'Malley]

The Celt's got a really handy gizmo that fits over the nipples and sucks the fluid through. It cost about £50 I think. Worked a treat when we fitted our braided lines. Can't remember what it's called, but you could PM him.

Mick

 

[MasterDabber]

Hein Gericke do a thing called....
Air bleeding system for braking systems... order number 29000341... price £36.99

They say..

This set allows quick and easy bleeding of brake lines. A manual vacuum pump is connected with the bleeding valve and draws the brake fluid into the sealed receving tank. Brake lever operation is not necessary and no liquid is lost either.

No idea how good it is. Should this be OK for EVO/ABS brakes?

A supplementary question. If I wanted to change/renew the brake fluid as per annual service, should I just effectively bleed the old fluid off until the new stuff runs through by just keep topping up the reservoir?

 

[Steptoe]

you could try using a mytivac ( small hand held vacuum unit), but i've never had a problem using the old tried and trusted method .

Front reservoir, bleed up to the abs modulator 1st , then the front calipers ;

Rear reservoir, same again, bleed from the abs modulator 1st, then the rear caliper -


not so much of a problem even with servo brakes , you just fill those at the modulator ( if filling from dry) , as well as the usual bleeding ( but don't try it yourself if you've never bled ANY brakes before, it not a good system to learn on )

 

[Mick O'Malley]

This set allows quick and easy bleeding of brake lines. A manual vacuum pump is connected with the bleeding valve and draws the brake fluid into the sealed receiving tank. Brake lever operation is not necessary and no liquid is lost either.

That's the one.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I had a R1100RS until recently. Had a drip from the front master cylinder seal, fitted a new seal, worked great until at higher altitude in Spain, it had a drip. Annoying. Could not see any damage in bore.
Anyhow, the only good reason I was able to find for the seal failure was possible damage when bleeding, pushing the piston into the end of the bore where it never normally travels.
I think the vacuum system might be the way to go.

 

[jim elderfield]

Hiya Chaps,
A big thankyou for the info bled em today perfect
Many thanks jim

 

[cookie]

AAMOI which method did you use?

 

[jim elderfield]

Bleeding brakes

Hiya Chaps,
I used the Steptoe (thanks neil) method with the addition of a non return valve brake bleeding kit £2.50 from motorist discount shop its dead easy don't know what I was worried about.
Cheers jim