Bleeding ABS Breaks...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have done all my services on my bikes since 1956. However, for the first time I decided that I would have them do the ABS fluid on my 10 Ultra Classic. It is over fours years old and has 30K on it. I do have the vacuum bleeder tool.
I have bled many systems. But since I wanted a full flushing I felt it was best for the shop to do it with the digital tech tool. It opens the system up and cycles the ABS function. The owners manual says to replace the fluid every two years. That is conservative but with the safety of having good brakes it is a good idea. I go by color as I have done for decades. It was definitely time.
The techs were surprised when I brought one of my bikes in for them to do. They know me well.
As one poster wrote it is very inexpensive as far as dealer services go. When you try to do ABS full flushing you cannot flush the entire system with the vacuum bleeder. Only the digital tech can do that. DOT 4 is the requirement. Higher boiling point and less attraction to water. But it will get in and I wanted it out and fresh .
I have bled many systems. But since I wanted a full flushing I felt it was best for the shop to do it with the digital tech tool. It opens the system up and cycles the ABS function. The owners manual says to replace the fluid every two years. That is conservative but with the safety of having good brakes it is a good idea. I go by color as I have done for decades. It was definitely time.
The techs were surprised when I brought one of my bikes in for them to do. They know me well.
As one poster wrote it is very inexpensive as far as dealer services go. When you try to do ABS full flushing you cannot flush the entire system with the vacuum bleeder. Only the digital tech can do that. DOT 4 is the requirement. Higher boiling point and less attraction to water. But it will get in and I wanted it out and fresh .
Last edited by lh4x4; Nov 14, 2013 at 06:20 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 88
From: San Quirino, Italy
I have done all my services on my bikes since 1956. However, for the first time I decided that I would have them do the ABS fluid on my 10 Ultra Classic. It is over fours years old and has 30K on it. I do have the vacuum bleeder tool.
I have bled many systems. But since I wanted a full flushing I felt it was best for the shop to do it with the digital tech tool. It opens the system up and cycles the ABS function. The owners manual says to replace the fluid every two years. That is conservative but with the safety of having good brakes it is a good idea. I go by color as I have done for decades. It was definitely time.
The techs were surprised when I brought one of my bikes in for them to do. They know me well.
As one poster wrote it is very inexpensive as far as dealer services go. When you try to do ABS full flushing you cannot flush the entire system with the vacuum bleeder. Only the digital tech can do that. DOT 4 is the requirement. Higher boiling point and less attraction to water. But it will get in and I wanted it out and fresh .
I have bled many systems. But since I wanted a full flushing I felt it was best for the shop to do it with the digital tech tool. It opens the system up and cycles the ABS function. The owners manual says to replace the fluid every two years. That is conservative but with the safety of having good brakes it is a good idea. I go by color as I have done for decades. It was definitely time.
The techs were surprised when I brought one of my bikes in for them to do. They know me well.
As one poster wrote it is very inexpensive as far as dealer services go. When you try to do ABS full flushing you cannot flush the entire system with the vacuum bleeder. Only the digital tech can do that. DOT 4 is the requirement. Higher boiling point and less attraction to water. But it will get in and I wanted it out and fresh .
you must have pissed off your dealer. I started changing my rear pads and decided to have the shop finish it off...since I already had the rear pads they did it free of charge while getting my 15000 service. had to use the digi tech to bleed for rear brake...so, youre right it wasnt 15 dollars, it was free. I thought it realistic when I got the bill.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
Bleeding brakes
I tried to bleed my ABS brakes by myself, but got too much in a hurry and allowed some air into the system. I took it into the dealer and he did the machine on it. IIRC it wasn't that expensive, probably about 1 hour labor plus fluid.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I picked it up the next day after this post. The Bill was $55 labor, $5 shop fees, $11.95 for a 12 oz. can of dot 4 and 88 cents sales tax.
High price for the DOT 4 fluid and the shop fee sucks. Covered it with my Social Security check.
High price for the DOT 4 fluid and the shop fee sucks. Covered it with my Social Security check.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Linden New Jersey
matter of fact, I've been meaning to have my 08 brakes flushed
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 65
From: Earth
OK let me clarify my post just a bit. DOT 5 always STARTS out as a purple color..........
The DoT-5 certification requires that Silicone Brake Fluid be purple. The dye that is used is only required to be stable enough to stay purple until you pour it out of the original container
The DoT-5 certification requires that Silicone Brake Fluid be purple. The dye that is used is only required to be stable enough to stay purple until you pour it out of the original container
Last edited by SpiderPig; Nov 17, 2013 at 04:33 PM.