Re changing brake fluid advice needed

[Mike Whitworth]

Hi I have a 2003 1150 gs with servo ABS etc when I do the service the BMW schedule states that the brake fluid should be changed .
NOW FOR THE QUESTION
Surely as I am only changing the Brake fluid I can do it the old fashioned way
ie bleed pipe on the brake caliper and pump it through BEING VERY CAREFUL not to let the resovoir run too low ?
OR am I being naive in thinking I can get away without going through the horendous task of bleeding each section at a time
PS when I inocently asked how much a BMW dealer charges I was told £340!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sleepy]

I've had my 1150 for nearly twelve years, and 56,000 miles.

Never changed the brake fluid..

Let the castigating begin... (brakes still work as good as ever).

 

[Colonel]

I did the fluid change on my 03 GSA last month for the first time, I was a little intimidated by the job, but found doing it the "proper" way remarkably easy and was surprised by the crap that came out of the system. My advise, for what it's worth, search this forum, follow the instructions, spend a couple of hours and do the job properly. Can't dick around with brakes, they're all that stand between you and Volvo drivers

 

[Sudz58]

It's easier than you think.

I bought a "Mityvac" and had the job done in 60 mins. The worst bit was having a half full fuel tank to take off!!

The colour of the fluid showed me why the service interval is 24K and also why BMW have changed the fluid on newer bikes.

 

[cyril]

I've had my 1150 for nearly twelve years, and 56,000 miles.

Never changed the brake fluid..

Let the castigating begin... (brakes still work as good as ever).

Really ??????

 

[DrFarkoff]

Mike there are 4 circuits you bleed from master cylinder to the ABS unit the from the ABS unit to the wheels

IF you open a bleed nipple on the calliper and pull the lever with the ignition on fluid will piss out but it isn't the same as the fluid in the reservoir at the lever or pedal and it will run out and the unit will probably be screwed

Here's the Low Down on it

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/service_abs3.pdf

and

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/abs3_filling_adapter.pdf

Hi I have a 2003 1150 gs with servo ABS etc when I do the service the BMW schedule states that the brake fluid should be changed .
NOW FOR THE QUESTION
Surely as I am only changing the Brake fluid I can do it the old fashioned way
ie bleed pipe on the brake caliper and pump it through BEING VERY CAREFUL not to let the resovoir run too low ?
OR am I being naive in thinking I can get away without going through the horendous task of bleeding each section at a time
PS when I inocently asked how much a BMW dealer charges I was told £340!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ian J Hartley]

I too have a 2003 R1150GS with integral braking system (IBS). Just had the bike serviced at BVM Moto in Stroud. 36k service and brake fluid change for £270.

Just to give you some idea if you don't fancy tackling the task yourself. The brake fluid change will be a lot less than that quoted by a BMW dealer. They aren't too far from you.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Mike there are 4 circuits you bleed from master cylinder to the ABS unit the from the ABS unit to the wheels

IF you open a bleed nipple on the calliper and pull the lever with the ignition on fluid will piss out but it isn't the same as the fluid in the reservoir at the lever or pedal and it will run out and the unit will probably be screwed

Here's the Low Down on it

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/service_abs3.pdf

and

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/abs3_filling_adapter.pdf

Time I did mine. Thanks dr f

 

[AdrianS]

Did mine earlier in the year for the first time. ( Previously done by Pidcock in Long Eaton; paid £140 2 years ago).

Not difficult to do - worse job was taking off the tank.

Helps if you make a filling adapter for the ABS unit - you need a spare reservoir cap (get one second hand), a small filter funnel to fit to the cap with some epoxy resin and some tubing to link the bleed nipples to a jam jar to collect the old fluid.

The servo does all the work for you.

Very important that you don't allow the unit to run dry. Also very surprised how "dirty" the wheel circuit fluid looked and had bits of something in it!
The fluid in the control circuits looked as good as new but then it is only used as a hydraulic switch to operate the control unit.

 

[roddy]

The servo units do respond well to fresh fluid, my k1200s had the odd niggle with the. Servo unit occassionally flashing up an error,
Flushed the system through using the vacuum method on both circuits, front and back, used a whole bottle of fluid during the process, the error never came back..... Result

Its a lot easier to do than its is to read the instructions an you dont need the adapter thing just a steady hand and a small hole inthe top of the bottle seal

 

[Slipperyeel]

Is bleeding the brakes done the 'old fashioned way' on an 1150 (1999 version with ABS) or is there a similar perfomance the the servo version?

Only asking as i need to do this to mine also!

Cheers

 

[cookie]

Is bleeding the brakes done the 'old fashioned way' on an 1150 (1999 version with ABS) or is there a similar perfomance the the servo version?

Only asking as i need to do this to mine also!

Cheers

old way. no faffing

 

[Slipperyeel]

That's a relief. I might get onto that sooner than i thought!

Thanks!

 

[MattW]

I change my brake fluid every winter - one of those non-return valve 'eazybleed' things makes it easy.