clutch and brake fluid flushes: worth it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
For my part there is no hysteria. I'm simply offering my opinion based on what guys who get paid to do this told me - one an Indy.
I guess I'll turn this around and say I'll listen to the guys I know and trust that do this for a living versus "hearsay" from HDF members. So on that we are in agreement.
I guess I'll turn this around and say I'll listen to the guys I know and trust that do this for a living versus "hearsay" from HDF members. So on that we are in agreement.
Maybe I should have said it differently. For me personally what I'm trying to say is there is no Harley-Davidson documentation saying you have to actuate the ABS module for a simple brake fluid change.
Nothing in the owner's manual and nothing in the shop manual as others appointed out as well.
We are not we are not talking about bleeding air out of the system we were only talking about changing the brake fluid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,807
Likes: 29,745
From: PNW
Good point!
Maybe I should have said it differently. For me personally what I'm trying to say is there is no Harley-Davidson documentation saying you have to actuate the ABS module for a simple brake fluid change.
Nothing in the owner's manual and nothing in the shop manual as others appointed out as well.
We are not we are not talking about bleeding air out of the system we were only talking about changing the brake fluid.
Maybe I should have said it differently. For me personally what I'm trying to say is there is no Harley-Davidson documentation saying you have to actuate the ABS module for a simple brake fluid change.
Nothing in the owner's manual and nothing in the shop manual as others appointed out as well.
We are not we are not talking about bleeding air out of the system we were only talking about changing the brake fluid.
That part I get. And it makes sense.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 246
From: Columbia SC
Yes, all settled! (no such thing as "settled" in a forum but for me it is )
Changing brake fluid, no ABS activation tool needed.
Bleeding brakes to get air out of the system, ABS activation tool needed.
Even Snap-on states - "Many vehicles now need a scan tool in order to bleed the brakes after ABS repairs"
(by the way this goes for other vehicles as well according to Snap-on not specific to HD.)
Source was the link you provided -
https://www1.snapon.com/Diagnostics/...rake-Bleed.htm
Changing brake fluid, no ABS activation tool needed.
Bleeding brakes to get air out of the system, ABS activation tool needed.
Even Snap-on states - "Many vehicles now need a scan tool in order to bleed the brakes after ABS repairs"
(by the way this goes for other vehicles as well according to Snap-on not specific to HD.)
Source was the link you provided -
https://www1.snapon.com/Diagnostics/...rake-Bleed.htm
Last edited by alarmdoug; Apr 20, 2018 at 05:16 AM.
Novice
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Is it worth it? Depends on how you do math.
A module replacement on 2009-2013 costs +/- $650. Which includes changing fluid.
A brake flush, (at dealer) is +/- $150
If you do nothing with fluid & module fails in 10 yrs. Thats $650 every 10 yrs.
If you flush at dealer every 2 yrs. Thats $750 over 10yrs.
Keep in mind that even if you flush every 2 yrs a failure is still possible.
So is it worth it? You decide.
A module replacement on 2009-2013 costs +/- $650. Which includes changing fluid.
A brake flush, (at dealer) is +/- $150
If you do nothing with fluid & module fails in 10 yrs. Thats $650 every 10 yrs.
If you flush at dealer every 2 yrs. Thats $750 over 10yrs.
Keep in mind that even if you flush every 2 yrs a failure is still possible.
So is it worth it? You decide.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
Likes: 16
From: Indianapolis
Hope that helps a little.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 417
From: Cranbourne, VIC Australia
Five tends to foam or encapsulate air with the rapid pulsing associated with ABS as well.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 646
Likes: 167
From: chicago
dealer did mine as part of 10k service, big difference in brake response and feel! they also did the clutch fluid, i wasnt expecting them to so i bought the pneumatic bleeder and fluid to do myself. oh well next time. i am going to get that tester though, thanks for the link YPD485!!!