Can you bleed ABS brakes without using Didital Tech?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,424
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From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Can you bleed ABS brakes without using Didital Tech?
Thinking about installing chrome hand controls and Barnett platinum cables this winter.
My Indy told me they cannot bleed ABS brakes because they do not have a HD Digital Tech. He says they send the bikes to the local stealer at $80 a pop to get the ABS brakes bled.
Is there any way bleed ABS brakes without using HD Digital Tech?
Thanks for your help,
P.S. Damn, you can't edit a title to fix spelling.....
My Indy told me they cannot bleed ABS brakes because they do not have a HD Digital Tech. He says they send the bikes to the local stealer at $80 a pop to get the ABS brakes bled.
Is there any way bleed ABS brakes without using HD Digital Tech?
Thanks for your help,
P.S. Damn, you can't edit a title to fix spelling.....
Last edited by PFWiz; Oct 4, 2012 at 01:44 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
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From: Jayhawk Country
I think the short answer is no, you need the digital tech. $80 well spent in my opinion for peace of mind knowing it's done right.
Last edited by KCFLHRC; Oct 4, 2012 at 01:48 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I did my rear without using the DT when I replaced the rear brake switch.
And I know I got air in the system, including the ABS Module, because I f'd up when bleeding and inadvertently ran the master cylinder dry during the bleeding process.
The process I used that worked for me was... Mighty Vac to completely flush the system. I couldn't get a firm pedal using only the Mighty Vac. But I followed the Mighty Vac with the conventional pump-hold-bleed method and my pedal is as firm as ever.
If this will work for you, I can't say for sure, but it did work for me.
And I know I got air in the system, including the ABS Module, because I f'd up when bleeding and inadvertently ran the master cylinder dry during the bleeding process.
The process I used that worked for me was... Mighty Vac to completely flush the system. I couldn't get a firm pedal using only the Mighty Vac. But I followed the Mighty Vac with the conventional pump-hold-bleed method and my pedal is as firm as ever.
If this will work for you, I can't say for sure, but it did work for me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Jayhawk Country
I don't think your brakes are any place to do a short cut. If the dealer will do it with the DT for $80 that's well worth it in my opinion.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The brake pedal will either be firm, meaning the system is properly bled, or the pedal will feel mushy, indicating air in the system - regardless of how or who bleeds the brakes.
A simple 30 second test ride is all it will take to determine if there's an issue or not.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Jayhawk Country
We're not talking shortcuts here.
The brake pedal will either be firm, meaning the system is properly bled, or the pedal will feel mushy, indicating air in the system - regardless of how or who bleeds the brakes.
A simple 30 second test ride is all it will take to determine if there's an issue or not.
The brake pedal will either be firm, meaning the system is properly bled, or the pedal will feel mushy, indicating air in the system - regardless of how or who bleeds the brakes.
A simple 30 second test ride is all it will take to determine if there's an issue or not.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Good comeback. Pretty funny. And I'll save the $20 at every opportunity too.
But again, from a technical perspective, it's easy to determine if your brakes are bled properly regardless of the method or equipment used to bleed them so I can't see any relationship between an emergency room and the HD Digital Technician.
Last edited by 2black1s; Oct 4, 2012 at 02:40 PM.