OT: brake bleeding on newer ABS cars, what's your take? |
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OT: brake bleeding on newer ABS cars, what's your take? |
draganc |
Jul 25 2016, 10:59 AM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
Hi folks!
Just curious what the group's opinion is on changing/bleeding brake fluid on newer street driven cars (i.e. CLK500 @2000mls/year) with ABS: 1) Yes, every 2 years or 2) I have never done it and my car drives just fine Also, how much different is the work with ABS, compare to our 914s? Just trying to get some education before talking to my "new" car mechanic. Thanks, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) dc PS: I know this topic/questions will be opinionated. |
Catorse |
Jul 25 2016, 11:57 AM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 194 Joined: 27-August 15 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 19,106 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Although most of us don't do it, brake fluid should be changed every couple years on EVERY car. So this piece remains the same.
I have many rides, some have ABS including two other Porsches. They bleed identically to any other non ABS equipped car. I have been bleeding ABS brakes for 20+ years, since there were ABS brakes basically. Sure, the dealers have plug in gizmos that activate the ABS and cycle the pump, but there is a good work around to this. Bleed the car, take it for a spin, activate the ABS a couple times at low speeds (i.e. panic stops), then go back and bleed it again. The second time it will only have a couple bubbles. No hay problema! |
Cracker |
Jul 25 2016, 12:25 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,148 Joined: 2-February 10 From: Atlanta (area) Member No.: 11,316 Region Association: South East States |
Since it appears to be a street car the answer would be yes, you could do it. At 2000 miles I wouldn't bother unless there was an issue. A friend of mine who tracks his M-car has had major issues properly bleeding the system - this is largely a track car and eventually he (right now actually) just broke down and paid the man when it wouldn't bleed correctly. The ABS module had to be cycled and he had no way of inducing that himself.
T |
Chris914n6 |
Jul 25 2016, 12:45 PM
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#4
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Jackstands are my life. Group: Members Posts: 3,304 Joined: 14-March 03 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 431 Region Association: Southwest Region |
Brake fluid absorbs water so yes it needs changed. I wait until I do brakes.
Mark where the level is before if you are not putting in all new pads and rotors. It's a balanced system, if you "top it off" it will leak out and eat paint later when you push the cylinders back in to fit new meaty pads. ABS cars are a PITA. With a 914 or other non ABS car you can use a vacuum or pressure bleeder making it a 1 person job. ABS needs either a pedal pusher or dealer electronics. Side note- if it says you need dealer electronics you might just need a pedal pusher, as being a dealer tech is a solo job. |
Racer |
Jul 25 2016, 05:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 787 Joined: 25-August 03 From: Northern Virginia Member No.: 1,073 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
At 2K miles a year, you fluid is doing a lot of sitting. Moisture (which brake fluid absorbs) will settle and could cause rust issues (inside calipers, master cylinder, ABS module).
Get it flushed every 2 years - your manual may have both time or mileage intervals, but most say 2 years. |
mgp4591 |
Jul 25 2016, 08:22 PM
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#6
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,366 Joined: 1-August 12 From: Salt Lake City Ut Member No.: 14,748 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
Brake fluid absorbs water so yes it needs changed. I wait until I do brakes. Mark where the level is before if you are not putting in all new pads and rotors. It's a balanced system, if you "top it off" it will leak out and eat paint later when you push the cylinders back in to fit new meaty pads. ABS cars are a PITA. With a 914 or other non ABS car you can use a vacuum or pressure bleeder making it a 1 person job. ABS needs either a pedal pusher or dealer electronics. Side note- if it says you need dealer electronics you might just need a pedal pusher, as being a dealer tech is a solo job. Chris, do you ever do the gravity bleed system? I found the vacuum systems work okay to an extent but I'd top off the system, open the r.r. bleeder and let it flow until the M/C level dropped considerably. All of this after I sucked the reservoir empty, cleaned it out and replaced with clean fluid, then started the gravity procedure. Then closed the r.r. and proceeded around the car in the correct sequence. This way I could do other work on the car or another car without babysitting the vacuum bleeder... saved me time and made me money! |
PanelBilly |
Jul 25 2016, 09:49 PM
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#7
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,797 Joined: 23-July 06 From: Kent, Wa Member No.: 6,488 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I was doing an engine swap on the step daughters 2005 Hyundai. I had to take it to a shop. When air gets in the abs, you need to be able to turn the abs pump on to bleed the brakes. It only cost $80, but that was after I spent hours having people pump the peddle.
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zambezi |
Jul 26 2016, 11:44 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 711 Joined: 14-April 08 From: Lafayette, LA Member No.: 8,920 Region Association: South East States |
Generally if you are just doing a fluid flush, then it is no different than a non-ABS car. If replacing components and air gets trapped in, then you may (not always) need special equipment to activate certain circuits of the ABS system to properly bleed.
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dlee6204 |
Jul 26 2016, 12:17 PM
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#9
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Howdy Group: Members Posts: 2,162 Joined: 30-April 06 From: Burnsville, NC Member No.: 5,956 |
Generally if you are just doing a fluid flush, then it is no different than a non-ABS car. If replacing components and air gets trapped in, then you may (not always) need special equipment to activate certain circuits of the ABS system to properly bleed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) |
draganc |
Jul 29 2016, 07:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
thanks for all the feedback!
I spoke to my local MB indy guy and they charge a flat rate of $100 for the change. i'll just let them do it und use the spare time to work on my teener. that's a win-win. |
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