Abs bleeding thoughts
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,598
From: Danbury CT
The trip to the dealer is all about cycling the ABS unit in such a way that the old fluid in the ABS unit is exchanged with new fluid. The problem with these ABS units is that old fluid causes things to get stuck internally, and it's not anything that can be repaired. So keeping new fluid in the ABS unit will keep things from getting bunged up. Some have, and I did, flush the system and take a ride, activating the front and rear ABS. The theory there is that doing that will exchange enough fluid to keep things happy. I bought the Infotech unit this year and it works great. Makes the whole process really easy. I installed speed bleeders as well, making things really quick and easy. I highly recommend both.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 12
From: Georgia
Yes, presuming you are riding AFTER the flush and cycling the ABS then. Because the system is closed, little if any of the new fluid gets into the ABS unit. The system must be open for fluid to actually leave the ABS unit (to be flushed out) and new fluid pushed into the ABS unit. With the system open the only way the ABS can be cycled to allow the flush is with one of the electronic gadgets mentioned above, or the digital technician at the dealer. Is that better or worse for confusion? Sorry it wasn't stated better the first try.
The trip to the dealer is all about cycling the ABS unit in such a way that the old fluid in the ABS unit is exchanged with new fluid. The problem with these ABS units is that old fluid causes things to get stuck internally, and it's not anything that can be repaired. So keeping new fluid in the ABS unit will keep things from getting bunged up. Some have, and I did, flush the system and take a ride, activating the front and rear ABS. The theory there is that doing that will exchange enough fluid to keep things happy. I bought the Infotech unit this year and it works great. Makes the whole process really easy. I installed speed bleeders as well, making things really quick and easy. I highly recommend both.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
A conventional flush, then a ride and application of the brakes activating the abs a few times is a way to partially flush out the remaining old fluid in the abs controller.
This is on par with the practice of an engine oil change. No, you didnt get it all, some was in the oil pump and other areas, but in use it all gets diluted so youve done a 90+percent oil change, and thats quite good enough.
Some of the aftermarket abs controllers have become affordable and versatile enough to consider adding to the tool box though.
This is on par with the practice of an engine oil change. No, you didnt get it all, some was in the oil pump and other areas, but in use it all gets diluted so youve done a 90+percent oil change, and thats quite good enough.
Some of the aftermarket abs controllers have become affordable and versatile enough to consider adding to the tool box though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 5,317
When you use the Infotech or the Digital Tech, isn't the system closed? Demos I've seen have the system closed and the ABS activated. How does the fluid move in order to be exchanged?
My end game is to buy the Infotech and speed bleeders. How does the Infotech move the fluid out of the ABS. Is the system open when you use it?
My end game is to buy the Infotech and speed bleeders. How does the Infotech move the fluid out of the ABS. Is the system open when you use it?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
What btsom has posted is how I interpret a braking or hydraulic system working. The only way to get the fluid changed is to open a bleed screw and get the fluid out. So as I understand it to get the fluid changed in the ABS unit requires the use of a tool that makes it open during the bleed process.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
What btsom has posted is how I interpret a braking or hydraulic system working. The only way to get the fluid changed is to open a bleed screw and get the fluid out. So as I understand it to get the fluid changed in the ABS unit requires the use of a tool that makes it open during the bleed process.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 2,158
From: West Coast
This may be a dumb question but, If you never panic brake or use a tool to activate the abs, does the "old" fluid stay in the pump forever?
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