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View Full Version : How to change ABS brakes (vs non ABS)


nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 01:15 PM
Is there any significant difference in the process of replacing pads and rotors on an S13 with ABS in comparison to doing it on one without ABS.

i've done it without ABS but I'll be doing it on one with ABS so i'm wondering if there's anything in particular that i should know.

i know the part #s are different but is the process the same?

tips?

thanks

sunnys14
11-27-2008, 01:19 PM
Same exact thing...

nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 01:27 PM
perfect. thx

Ragnarok043
11-27-2008, 02:09 PM
theres no different changing pads and rotors but i believe when bleeding the system you need to bleed the ABS unit 1st then the calipers.

projectRDM
11-27-2008, 02:51 PM
theres no different changing pads and rotors but i believe when bleeding the system you need to bleed the ABS unit 1st then the calipers.

Incorrect, there is no bleeder on the actuator. However, if you're bleeding the calipers, unplug the actuator. Power to it will keep the pedal from going to the floor completely on every stroke.

nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 04:14 PM
Shouldn't the pedal not go to the floor completely anyway?

projectRDM
11-27-2008, 04:27 PM
Shouldn't the pedal not go to the floor completely anyway?

If you're bleeding, yes it should. How else does the air get pumped out if the master cylinder can't fully extend? After the air is out, no, it won't bottom out. But the first several times initially it will bottom out or you're not forcing the air out.

nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 04:30 PM
(i'm no expert on this so don't think i'm challenging you)
... but i've read that if you push the pedal to the floor when you're bleeding then it can cause air/brake fluid to be sucked back into the system and it can also possibly damage the seals on your BMC.

nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 04:38 PM
You don't let the pedal hit the floor cause it can suck fluid(and air) back in then system. Also if you are bleeding the lines after installing your brake lines...
(Helps to have 2 people for any bleeding)
quoted from this thread:
http://zilvia.net/f/archive-faqs/17662-how-bleed-brakes.html

projectRDM
11-27-2008, 05:44 PM
(i'm no expert on this so don't think i'm challenging you)
... but i've read that if you push the pedal to the floor when you're bleeding then it can cause air/brake fluid to be sucked back into the system and it can also possibly damage the seals on your BMC.

If the cylinder is fully extended, how can it suck air back in? Only if there's an open port in the system, such as a caliper bleeder, will air pull back in, and only when the pedal is released. Depressing the pedal does nothing except force air/fluid OUT of the cylinder.

nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 07:25 PM
hmm.. yeah i see what you mean. then what logic do you think whoever stated that was using?

i've also read that depressing all the way when can cause dirt/particles to enter and mess up the seals in your MBC.

im just curious because i recently did my own (non-ABS) brakes and i bled them (using a one-man-bleeder) kit while pressing the pedal to the floor.

afterwards, the pedal would go pretty far to brake. that's when i read about not touching the floor, so i re-bled (alone), this time being careful not to touch the floor. now my brakes feel okay and not as bad as they were the first time.. but the pedal still goes kind of deep.

g6civcx
11-27-2008, 07:28 PM
Please read very carefully.

Is there any significant difference in the process of replacing pads and rotors on an S13 with ABS in comparison to doing it on one without ABS.

i know the part #s are different but is the process the same?

Pads and discs change procedures should be exactly the same because under normal conditions you do not need to bleed. The bleeding procedure is slightly different for ABS.


tips?

None necessary provided you don't need to replace a caliper or brake line = requires bleeding.

Inspect all parts: calipers, pads, discs, retaining clips, brake hoses, etc. Repair as appropriate.

Incorrect, there is no bleeder on the actuator. However, if you're bleeding the calipers, unplug the actuator. Power to it will keep the pedal from going to the floor completely on every stroke.

Can you please explain this from the FSM to clear up confusion? Thanks.
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2628/s13bleedoc4.th.jpg (http://img407.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s13bleedoc4.jpg)

quoted from this thread:
http://zilvia.net/f/archive-faqs/17662-how-bleed-brakes.html

This is confusing as hell: "3. Close the bleeder before the person pressing the brake fully pressed the brake"

I don't want to challenge OG members so perhaps if you can get that person to respond directly.

If the cylinder is fully extended, how can it suck air back in? Only if there's an open port in the system, such as a caliper bleeder, will air pull back in, and only when the pedal is released. Depressing the pedal does nothing except force air/fluid OUT of the cylinder.

I agree with this. Even if you pushed the pedal all the way to the floor, and provided you don't let the pedal retract, there's no air being sucked in. It works just like a syringe. When you're pressing the piston down, how can it be sucking in air? Being at the floor just means the pedal is at the end of its travel.

sunnys14
11-27-2008, 09:56 PM
S13 has bleeders on the ABS actuator.

S14 does not.

nismoskyz
11-27-2008, 11:41 PM
S13 has bleeders on the ABS actuator.

S14 does not.


I didn't ask about S14?

sunnys14
11-28-2008, 12:01 AM
I know you didn't, I was just clearing up the differences people were talking about bleeding ABS actuators and what not.