Brake fluid replacement

[NeilS]

I've read that, if you have ABS on your RR, you need some special bit of electronics to operate the ABS solenoids so you can completely replace the fluid. But there is no mention of this in the procedures in the BMW service manual. They do specify a rather strange procedure involving fully retracting the caliper pistons before bleeding, but I can't imagine how that has anything to do with ABS.

I've changed fluid in and bled dozens of hydraulic brake systems over the years, and I've never retracted the pistons in this way (or been told to do so by a manual). I've also done it on many ABS-equipped cars and not done anything special for the ABS.

Any comments? Could it be that the extra electronics is only required on the servo-assisted brakes on earlier models and not on the RR? Anyone understand the reason for retracting the pistons?

[deilenberger]

Any comments? Could it be that the extra electronics is only required on the servo-assisted brakes on earlier models and not on the RR? Anyone understand the reason for retracting the pistons?

They probably want to exercise the ABS with the electronics - to move the fluid through the piston assembly in the ABS pump. Cars are the same way.. (at least BMW cars.) Not a big deal - the amount of fluid left in the piston assembly is perhaps 10cc or so. If it worries you - change fluid once, then go out and trigger the ABS a few times, then change it again.

As far as retracting the pistons - it's to get old nasty fluid out of the caliper piston bore.

[nOOb]

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a R1200R. I've previously owned a R1100R, R1100RT, R1150RT and a couple of K bikes. And I've done my own maintenance, even on the EVO/ABS linked crap brakes on the RT. When the R1200RT came out I read (on BMWST.com) that one couldn't do the brake service yourself anymore, that it was a dealer-only thing.

Was this incorrect, or is the ABS II system on the roadster a different animal? I don't like paying the dealer for things that I should be able to do myself.

Thanks,

Michael

[deilenberger]

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a R1200R. I've previously owned a R1100R, R1100RT, R1150RT and a couple of K bikes. And I've done my own maintenance, even on the EVO/ABS linked crap brakes on the RT. When the R1200RT came out I read (on BMWST.com) that one couldn't do the brake service yourself anymore, that it was a dealer-only thing.

Was this incorrect, or is the ABS II system on the roadster a different animal? I don't like paying the dealer for things that I should be able to do myself.

Thanks,

Michael

It's a completely different system, and luckily, very simple to service. If you serviced your R11's you can easily service the R12R.

[nOOb]

Thanks Don! That's one less thing to worry about.

Michael