Flushing/bleeding brakes

[Flying banana]

I have a 2002 GS, EVO brakes with servo abs, etc, etc.... blah blah blah.
Thing is, I really should think about replacing the fluid soon. I have downloaded the guide written by our cousins from across the pond, very useful it is too.

Now then, has anyone here done this operation themsleves? Me being the incorrigable tightwad that I am, I do not want to pay BMW to carry out something that I am able to do myself. I am a competent spanner twirler, but this is a new one, bearing in mind the amount of electronics and pumps there are on it Am I mad to even think about doing it, or should I have a crack? Is it the black art that some would have us believe?

It cant be that difficult, can it?

Or can it??

Your thought would be appreciated.

I have done a search, but could find nothing conclusive


Thanks muchly

 

[Steptoe]

Read the guide from the yanks - then throw it away .

Feck bits of wood to hold the calipers apart.

feck a special little funnel in a rubber tube to fill up the servo unit .

But you must bleed the master cylinders from the servo unit ( it's soon obvious which bleed nipples are which), and top up the master cylinders as you bleed them.

Then the bleed the servo unit from the calipers, topping up the servo unit as you bleed them.

The good thing is - turn the ignition on, squeeze the levers and the electric pump does the bleeding for you .

 

[Bigtwin]

Read the guide from the yanks - then throw it away .

Feck bits of wood to hold the calipers apart.

feck a special little funnel in a rubber tube to fill up the servo unit .

But you must bleed the master cylinders from the servo unit ( it's soon obvious which bleed nipples are which), and top up the master cylinders as you bleed them.

Then the bleed the servo unit from the calipers, topping up the servo unit as you bleed them.

The good thing is - turn the ignition on, squeeze the levers and the electric pump does the bleeding for you .

Nice one - that's me next job. And I shall tell BMW where they can shove their £90+v.a.t.

Actually, while I am on, do we really need to do this every 12 months - what say you?

 

[Steptoe]

Actually, while I am on, do we really need to do this every 12 months - what say you?

For the amount of fluid and time it takes, do it .

And don't leave the clutch fluid for 2 years as the service book says - you'll find that in 2 years the clutch bleed unit grub screw will have siezed in place very nicely - so a 10 minute job and a pounds worth of fluid will cost you a lot more in the long run, in grief and money

 

[Flying banana]

Steptoe, so basically you are saying, dont bother with sealing the top of the servo reservoir, just whip off the cap, and keep it topped up, as you would with a normal master cylinder?


Jesus, sounds simple. Having read the yank version, its made to look like a long job, although not too difficult. I shall have a crack at this this weekend, instead of buggering about making up blocks, and spouts!!!!


Cheers, chap.

 

[Steptoe]

Steptoe, so basically you are saying, dont bother with sealing the top of the servo reservoir, just whip off the cap, and keep it topped up, as you would with a normal master cylinder?

Two plastic caps on the servo unit - undo with an allen key .

be careful/gentle, they can break/crack if your heavy handed . and the level does drop very quickly so keep your eye out .

 

[Flying banana]

Well, I did it today.....piece of poo, TBH. Apart from taking longer than a 'normal' system, mainly because there are more bits to bleed, and its the first time I have bled the brakes on this bike, so i took it steady, it was simple. All the warning lights have gone out when they were supposed to, and all seesm ticketty boo.

Cheers, Steptoe fer your advice.

 

[shugie]

For the amount of fluid and time it takes, do it .

And don't leave the clutch fluid for 2 years as the service book says - you'll find that in 2 years the clutch bleed unit grub screw will have siezed in place very nicely - so a 10 minute job and a pounds worth of fluid will cost you a lot more in the long run, in grief and money

Thus speaks the guru. Would you happen to have the complete grub screw holder widget, that screws into the end of the clutch line. On account of me rounding off the inside of the friggin grub screw.

 

[cookie]

Thus speaks the guru. Would you happen to have the complete grub screw holder widget, that screws into the end of the clutch line. On account of me rounding off the inside of the friggin grub screw.

IIRC you can replace the grub screw holder widget with a normal 10mm bleed nipple.

 

[shugie]

IIRC you can replace the grub screw holder widget with a normal 10mm bleed nipple.

This is true and has been done. Now for the brakes, when it's a tad warmer. Are the brake bleed nipples the same size do you reckon - the speedbleeders I've got might be the wrong thread if they are.

 

[cookie]

This is true and has been done. Now for the brakes, when it's a tad warmer. Are the brake bleed nipples the same size do you reckon - the speedbleeders I've got might be the wrong thread if they are.

pretty sure my pre evo calipers are 10mm. i bought them from motorworks BTW.