Special tools needed to bleed brakes?

[pervisanathema]

My '02 SWB TB has ABS. I would like to flush out the old brake fluid. I have done this procedure successfully on non-abs cars. However, I have read that sometimes you need a special (read $$$ dealer tool) to bleed ABS equipped vehicles.

Is this true? Have any of you successfully completed this procedure? Any tips? Thanks!

[ScarabEpic22]

Yep, you do need a $15700045 tool to bleed your brakes.:rolleyes:




J/K man, no you dont need anything fancy, I did it with a friend operating the pedal and me opening and closing the bleeder valve on the caliper. Should be the same as non-ABS cars.

[pervisanathema]

Yep, you do need a $15700045 tool to bleed your brakes.:rolleyes:




J/K man, no you dont need anything fancy, I did it with a friend operating the pedal and me opening and closing the bleeder valve on the caliper. Should be the same as non-ABS cars.

Yes, I have done that as well on non-ABS cars. I have done some more research between now and my original post. It appears that you don't need the special tool unless you drain the master cylinder completely and uncover the ABS pump.

Can anybody confirm this?

[gfranchu]

According to the vacuum tool manual I have you have to pump ABS brakes about 40 to 50 times to get all the reserve pressure out then bleed them as though they were regular brakes. The ignition MUST be off for this process to ensure that the electric pump does not continue to maintain the pressure required for the system to operate. It returns to normal after the brakes are bled and the ignition is turned on - the ABS light may be a little slow to go out the first time.

[pervisanathema]

According to the vacuum tool manual I have you have to pump ABS brakes about 40 to 50 times to get all the reserve pressure out then bleed them as though they were regular brakes. The ignition MUST be off for this process to ensure that the electric pump does not continue to maintain the pressure required for the system to operate. It returns to normal after the brakes are bled and the ignition is turned on - the ABS light may be a little slow to go out the first time.

Thanks for the info! I knew there was something different about bleeding ABS systems. :yes:

[ScarabEpic22]

According to the vacuum tool manual I have you have to pump ABS brakes about 40 to 50 times to get all the reserve pressure out then bleed them as though they were regular brakes. The ignition MUST be off for this process to ensure that the electric pump does not continue to maintain the pressure required for the system to operate. It returns to normal after the brakes are bled and the ignition is turned on - the ABS light may be a little slow to go out the first time.
Umm, FYI you cant pump the brakes on a TV once the ignition is off, it will only let you do about 4-5 compressions and then the pedal will be impossible to push down.

[WHITE408TB]

bleed brakes as always,when done drive thru wet grass or gravel hit brakes to run abs unit,poor mans way to do it with out a tech two!

[Dacomputernerd]

Umm, FYI you cant pump the brakes on a TV once the ignition is off, it will only let you do about 4-5 compressions and then the pedal will be impossible to push down.

Not the case with the bleed valves open. That allows the fluid to drain, but im sure the pumping still isnt easy.

[pervisanathema]

I finally just went on and did it. No problems, easy job.