Idiots guide to bleeding ABS brakes

[MooMoo]

Right I have completed the 12k service bar the brakes being bled.
I've had a look around the subject on here and need a bit of advice.

Basically what order do I fill, up and bleed yada yada yada.

I managed it ok on the linked brakes the blackbird had, so I feel up to the job.

Just want a starting point, middle and ending.

Oh and I don't intend making funnels, and blocks of wood, as per some guides.

Many thanks

Moo

BTW my R1150GS ADV SE (will be up for sale soon as emmigrating)

 

[slparry]

http://www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads/brakes.shtml

 

[Pekkavee]

http://users.rcn.com/dehager/service/service_abs3.pdf

Pekka

 

[Steptoe]

You fail to mention if you have servo brakes or not.

 

[DaveGSCymro]

You fail to mention if you have servo brakes or not.

Was just thinking the same thing.

 

[MooMoo]

Yep, they are the servo type. (1150 ADV SE)

There's too much bollocks on here saying, tank off, bleed from ABS unit, blah blah blah

So how does the Guru do it then Steptoe?

Thanks
Moo

 

[sockpuppet]

If you want to bleed you have to take the tank off.

Personally I'd pick up phone
Dial steptoe
Book time and date

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Yep, they are the servo type. (1150 ADV SE)

There's too much bollocks on here saying, tank off, bleed from ABS unit, blah blah blah

So how does the Guru do it then Steptoe?

Thanks
Moo

Just a premonition

 

[MooMoo]

I've basically read around the forum, and there are posts, saying stuff like, just bleed from the master to the caliper ect ect ect.

I think I have even read steptoe saying he doesn't touch the ABS unit, unless he has had to break lines ect.

One guide posted on this link reads you dont need to touch the ABS unit, alas I think the guide is for an R1100.

I'm sure Steptoe will be along to correct us all.

Moo

 

[MooMoo]

Here we are

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110107&highlight=bleeding+abs&page=2

I guess after further reading.

I will start at master, then bleed down to the ABS unit right?
Then top up ABS unit and bleed down to calipers?

Same with back brakes? master, then ABS unit then caliper?

Just gonna get the tank off now

 

[Boxergsa]

I've just done mine (iABS with electric servo) for the first time. pretty straightforward, but I reckon you can't really do without an additional reservoir (funnel thingy, or whatever) for fluid when bleeding the servo to calipers. This is a must because the reservoir in the servo is small, and you use the servo to bleed the brakes and the amount of fluid you use is quite large and goes down pretty fast.

I religiously followed different instructions making up blocks to certain measurements to set the caliper pistons an appropriate distance apart - and probably wasted my time. I reckon if you have got new(ish) pads in, the piston position is about right - so just use a few bits of scrap wood to stop them moving together.

My funnel thingy was a mouthwash bottle with the bottom cut off, and a demi john rubber bung (£1.25 from home brew section in Wilkinsons). I turned down the bung to the right size for one end to fit the servo top up hole, and the other to fit the neck of the mouthwash bottle. My 'lathe' was the bung on a large drill bit, in a hand power drill clamped in a vice - then used a file to turn it to the right size. A bit Heath Robinson but it worked a treat.

The guides I have read suggest starting with the fluid from the servo to calipers, then finish with the control circuits from lever to servo. I don't know how important that is.

My brakes were much firmer afterwards - and some noticable gungy fluid came out during the bleed, so it's definitely worth doing - mine were last done two and a half years ago, and the schedule says do it every 2 years, so they were only six months overdue.

Unfortunately my work did not resolve a servo/modulator fault so I am converting to non ABS brakes (new servo is £1400, and second hand units appear to be like rocking horse ****).

Note: it has been suggested that energetic pushing back of caliper pistons - when changing pads - can damage the servo/modulator's internal diaphragm between the control and caliper fluid circuits. Worth taking care and being gentle.

 

[Steptoe]

Yep, they are the servo type. (1150 ADV SE)

There's too much bollocks on here saying, tank off, bleed from ABS unit, blah blah blah

So how does the Guru do it then Steptoe?

Thanks
Moo

Your confusing comments between bleeding the ABS unit and a servo unit.

You have a servo unit, you have no choice how you want to bleed them.

Handlebar/rear reservior is bled at the servo unit, servo unit is bled at the servo unit, caliper is bled from the caliper but topped up at the servo unit.

 

[MooMoo]

Cheers Mr Steptoe, I take it doesn't matter what order I do them in, if they are bled independantly and as long as they are all done, right?

Moo