Bleeding brakes on cars with ESP different?
02-12-2004, 06:14 AM
#1
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Bleeding brakes on cars with ESP different?
I just stumbled upon this Audi Tech Tip (below). Anyone bled brakes on an A4 with ESP and followed this? What is VAG 5051 and can you activated the ABS pump without it?
<i><b>Bleeding Procedure, Vehicles with ESP </b>
If you are bleeding the brake system on vehicles equipped with ESP, it is important to remember that the procedure is different than non-ESP equipped vehicles. One major difference is that during the bleeding procedure you must run the ABS pump using the VAG 5051 to activate the ABS pump. Refer to AESIS for complete procedure.
</i>
<i><b>Bleeding Procedure, Vehicles with ESP </b>
If you are bleeding the brake system on vehicles equipped with ESP, it is important to remember that the procedure is different than non-ESP equipped vehicles. One major difference is that during the bleeding procedure you must run the ABS pump using the VAG 5051 to activate the ABS pump. Refer to AESIS for complete procedure.
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02-12-2004, 06:28 AM
#3
yes
VAG 5051 a/k/a VAG tool. I believe you need one to activate the pump.
Thankfully, I didn't want ESP and don't need to deal with this.
Additionally, bleed the clutch as well as it shares the same fluid.
Thankfully, I didn't want ESP and don't need to deal with this.
Additionally, bleed the clutch as well as it shares the same fluid.
02-12-2004, 06:29 AM
#4
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The S4 guys have posted about it numerous times. There are a bunch of posts out there that describe how to run the ABS pump (can't recall off the top of my head). Nobody has figured out exactly how Audi intended for us to activate this pump...so I'll usually bleed 2 corners, activate the pump, and bleed the last two corners.
02-12-2004, 06:34 AM
#5
you don't
dealers use a pressurized system that hooks up to all 4 bleeders simultaneously and the reservoir. They hook up the VAG, activate the pump and turn on the bleeding system. Since the OEM fluid is in their bleeding system, the dealer wouldn't (couldn't) use my Motul to do the free bleed for being after 2 years from the purchase date and still under 50k miles.
02-12-2004, 06:39 AM
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Which suggests that the ABS needs to be activated WHILE fluid is being flushed
through the system...not between bleeding calipers. I really need to understand how the ABS system is plumbed into the rest of the brake system so I manually bleed this properly.
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02-12-2004, 06:53 AM
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Can you be more specific?
What I initially though was...if I draw fresh fluid through the system out to the rear caliper, then run the ABS system, it will draw in fresh fluid that's in the line, and discharge old fluid back into the brake line. So, I thought I could bleed 1 rear caliper, activate the ABS, then bleed the second rear caliper, and that should draw out all the old fluid. Of course, without understanding the plumbing, it's hard to say whether that would work as planned.
The second question is...all A4's have ABS, so why is this procedure only spec'd for ESP equipped cars??
The second question is...all A4's have ABS, so why is this procedure only spec'd for ESP equipped cars??