ABS brake bleeding?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Here
I reverse bled with a large plastic syringe with clear tube attached. I emptied the master cylinder, fitted new brake line. Filled plastic syringe with brake fluid, flicked clear tubing to remove all bubbles cracked open bleed nipple and pressed down on syringe. Eventually all the old brake fluid flows into the master cylinder whereby you need to keep emptying the master cylinder and topping up the syringe. Did the exact same the other side (only to remove the old fluid). I then used some tape to hold the brake lever open over night so as to remove the remaining air in line.
No trips to HD, no DigitalTech and it cost me $2 for parts.
No trips to HD, no DigitalTech and it cost me $2 for parts.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 22
From: Fort Pierce, Florida
I put WO576 bars on my 2012 SG and installed my Magnum clutch and brake cables myself. A friend of mine works for my local HD. He told me the brake cable needed to be bled by the dealer to keep the warranty intaked. they informed me they just had a case were the owner tried to bleed his own ABS brakes and didn't get all the air out and damaged the ABS system. MOCO would not replace the ABS under warranty. It cost that guy 450 bucks. For 90 bucks, i had the dealer bleed mine. Don't know if it is true or not. I'm sure others will post in this.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I put WO576 bars on my 2012 SG and installed my Magnum clutch and brake cables myself. A friend of mine works for my local HD. He told me the brake cable needed to be bled by the dealer to keep the warranty intaked. they informed me they just had a case were the owner tried to bleed his own ABS brakes and didn't get all the air out and damaged the ABS system. MOCO would not replace the ABS under warranty. It cost that guy 450 bucks. For 90 bucks, i had the dealer bleed mine. Don't know if it is true or not. I'm sure others will post in this.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
I put WO576 bars on my 2012 SG and installed my Magnum clutch and brake cables myself. A friend of mine works for my local HD. He told me the brake cable needed to be bled by the dealer to keep the warranty intaked. they informed me they just had a case were the owner tried to bleed his own ABS brakes and didn't get all the air out and damaged the ABS system. MOCO would not replace the ABS under warranty. It cost that guy 450 bucks. For 90 bucks, i had the dealer bleed mine. Don't know if it is true or not. I'm sure others will post in this.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 22
From: Fort Pierce, Florida
Not arguing. Just posting what I was told. I know stealers give us incorrect information all the time.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Take out the maxi fuse or disconnect the battery for a while to disable ABS electronics and now its same as non ABS to bleed the brakes,I've done this way on the most advanced German and Japanese auto with too many bells and whistles.