Defender Xtreme brake bleeding (ABS)

[Lionel]

Hi All,

I need to do some work on the front swivels on my 2004 Defender TD5 Xtreme, which is fitted with ABS & Traction Control.

Due to the design of the later brake hose brackets, I will have to undo the brake lines to remove the caliper assembly.

Are there any complications with brake bleeding caused by the ABS? I will try & plug everything to reduce fluid loss while I'm doing the job, but I was wondering about any issues resulting from the presence of the ABS system.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Lionel

[weeds]

mod the bracket while you are at it.....FWIW pretty sure early defender were the same set up.

[TeamFA]

I had to disrupt the brake lines a while ago myself, and came across the stupid bracket design. I plugged the lines when I disconnected them, then modified the bracket (just needs a slot cut in it to the hole, if I remember correctly?). I was expecting to have issue bleeding when I reconnected, but I didn't seem to get any air in from the reconnection process (or not enough to make a difference, and it travelled up by itself).

[Blknight.aus]

so long as you have not permitted air to get in above the ABS module or allowed the fluid to drain from the abs module then you can bleed the caliper as per a standard brake system providing you do not allow air to enter the abs module while bleeding.

[Lionel]

I had to disrupt the brake lines a while ago myself, and came across the stupid bracket design. I plugged the lines when I disconnected them, then modified the bracket (just needs a slot cut in it to the hole, if I remember correctly?). I was expecting to have issue bleeding when I reconnected, but I didn't seem to get any air in from the reconnection process (or not enough to make a difference, and it travelled up by itself).

Yes, the bracket's a pretty stupid design. Even if one slots the hole so that the caliper can be hung up, the metal brake pipe is rather more vulnerable than it is with the old design.

I'm not too concerned about it this time though, as I want to run some new fluid through the system.

Cheers,

Lionel

[Lionel]

so long as you have not permitted air to get in above the ABS module or allowed the fluid to drain from the abs module then you can bleed the caliper as per a standard brake system providing you do not allow air to enter the abs module while bleeding.

Yes, that seems to be the important point. I am going to clamp the brake hoses to prevent fluid draining from the ABS module, as it looks like a PITA if you have to bleed that.

Cheers,

Lionel

[Lionel]

mod the bracket while you are at it.....FWIW pretty sure early defender were the same set up.

This is not really my main concern, but point taken.

They have changed the run of the tubing with the later models, which makes it a bit more awkward to safely hang up the caliper, even with the bracket slotted, than it used to be.

The metal tube is a bit more vulnerable to damage.

Cheers,

Lionel

[Blknight.aus]

Yes, that seems to be the important point. I am going to clamp the brake hoses to prevent fluid draining from the ABS module, as it looks like a PITA if you have to bleed that.

Cheers,

Lionel

it can be...

[Patchy]

Its not that bad a job easiest thing to do is put line lockers on the rubber brake lines before anything is undone then it just a simple job of bleeding the calipers as you would with any brake system.

I had to do the whole bleeding process about two weeks ago after putting new brake lines on and was fairly easy job with a nanocom... just bleed the modulator via nanocom then did a normal pedal bleed with ignition off. You can power bleed with the nanocom but takes a little longer as only moves a small amount of fluid each time.

[Lionel]

Its not that bad a job easiest thing to do is put line lockers on the rubber brake lines before anything is undone then it just a simple job of bleeding the calipers as you would with any brake system.


I've got a couple of hose clamps, so I'll put those on before I undo anything.

As you say, it should be fairly straightforward - except my wife HATES pumping the brake pedal. :D

Cheers,

Lionel

[Patchy]

I've got a couple of hose clamps, so I'll put those on before I undo anything.

As you say, it should be fairly straightforward - except my wife HATES pumping the brake pedal. :D

Cheers,

Lionel

You can leave the wife in the house I always do brake bleed by myself I just make a siphon bottle set up.

Old coke bottle lenght of clear hose, drill a hole in the neck of the bottle and feed the hose down into the bottom of the bottle, put a small amout of fluid in the bottle so to cover the end then possi said bottle up on suspension so the hose goes up from the bleed nipple that way when bleed any air always goes up away from the nipple.

This way you can just crack the nipple and pump away at the pedal then just check the hose is free from bubbles, once clear close the nipple and repeat for each wheel.

hope that makes sense I've used this process just about every time and never had a problem just make sure your ignition is off while doing it with any abs car.

cheers Brian