ABS brake bleed and fluid replacement

[whaycoc]

I have a question - on ABS brake bleeding and brake fluid replacement.

First, is a brake bleed the same as brake fluid replacement?

Second, can an individual using a MityVac safely change the brake fluid in an ABS brake system?

If not, can someone give a brief explanation of why not?

Thanks

[baltm604]

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/s ... =7&fpart=1

gives great pictures and step by step on abs wheel circuit bleed on r1150rt abs.

Bill

[whaycoc]

Fantastic information Bill - thank you very much for posting this valuable link - I must say, after reading the procedure that I am happy I have a non ABS bike - unless I start sliding on a slick road!

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/s ... =7&fpart=1

gives great pictures and step by step on abs wheel circuit bleed on r1150rt abs.

Bill

[bmwdave52]

It's not so bad once you get used to it. The longest part is taking off the tank.
I have speed bleeders all around so the job is fairly simple.
The brakes should be bled every year and the ABS unit every two years.

[whaycoc]

Dave - you bring up a point that needs clarification - I was told by a mechanic that it is OK to replace the brake fluid in the reservoirs and line from the reservoir down to the calipers just like we have always done with non ABS bikes - and simply leave the ABS reservoirs alone - do them every two or three years.

Do you feel this is the case? If so, that would take a lot of expense and trouble off the ABS guys who want to do their own work!

[bmwdave52]

Bill, in BMW parlance the ABS unit is called "the control circuit". According to BMW, or at least A&S, it should be bled every two years.
The brakes or "wheel circuit" should be done every year.
Since the speed bleeders make the job so much easier I'm going to do both every year.
That link to BMWRT's brake bleed info is an excellent one. If you have ABS I would print it out and save it.
I have met the couple that did the instructions. You could not ask for nicer people.

[whaycoc]

They are indeed fantastic instructions and I wish we had a place to achieve that info so people months from now could see it!

I change my brake/clutch fluid every year using the MityVac - about 40 minutes total time for the whole job - so, seems true then that one can change the brake "wheel circuit" without having to deal with the ABS "circuit!" That is good news for some as two years is not all that often!

Thanks for the good input - again, we can all learn so much here - have a great Holiday.

[Boxer]

Bill, I just saved it as a DOC file on my computer, pictures and all. I'll figure out a way to post it as such and let someone (Mod) post it in the archives.

Is there a place on the board to attach files other than pictures?

Or go here and save it...Or just right click and save Link as.
http://home.comcast.net/~jquick/ABSBrakeBleed.doc

[The Velvet Monkey]

BMWDave52--

Could you tell me what speedbleeder are. I admit I'm completely ignorant, but they sound neat.

[taosports]

Here's another excellent step by step detailed instructions on ABS brake fluid replacement. Found it on the Adventure Rider site. The top 3 links are all ABS related info.

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

Bill (whaycoc) - thanks for starting this thread - lot's of great info.

Velvet Monkey - a link to the speed bleeders site :

http://www.speedbleeder.com/