I don't have ABS brakes on my SD, but I've been pleased with a budget pressure bleeder I bought some years ago for about $50. But you can also make your own for a fraction on that.
It's basically a very small hand-pumped garden sprayer with a brake reservoir cover on the end of the hose. The commercial version also has a pressure gauge to help manage pressure. In operation, you put a couple cans of DOT 4 in the "bottle" the sprayer, screw on the reservoir cap, and pump it up to about 15 psi. Then just crack each bleed nipple (usual sequence) until clear fluid comes out. If you are fussy you can use a piece of hose and a jar to catch the old fluid. Some folks (who bleed often) alternate different color brake fluids to clearly indicate when the old stuff is purged. The only caution (other than over-pressurizing) is don't let the thing run dry of fluid or you'll need to start over. This tool makes for a very easy one-person bleeding job. I particularly appreciated this when I had multiple Mercedes vehicles. I suspect most brake cylinder failures are caused by old, wet brake fluid Scott -----Original Message----- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Max Dillon Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2013 8:09 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Leaky master cylinder? >From my understanding, only a pressure bleeder can completely flush fluid from the ABS system. Vacuum or gravity will bleed all the rest of the system. -- Max Dillon Charleston SC '95 E300, '87 300TD, '73 Balboa 20 Dan Penoff <d...@penoff.com> wrote: >Better yet, if you have a MityVac, get a bleeder jar (cheap plastic >ones can be had for a few bucks) and vacuum bleed your brakes. Easiest >way to do it and very quick. Also doesn't require any pumping of the >pedal if the master cylinder has been bled. > >In fact, it makes it so easy I enjoyed flushing my brake fluid on a >every two year basis. > >On the same subject, does anyone know of you can vacuum bleed a brake >system with ABS? I have never tried. > >Dan > > >On Mar 2, 2013, at 8:02 PM, Max Dillon wrote: > >> Bleeding a master cylinder: >> >> Tools: 9mm box wrench, six feet of tubing of the correct diameter to >fit the wheel cylinder bleeder bolt. >> >> I did this in a parking garage in WDC one evening. Purchased some >cheap aquarium air pump hose from Walmart. >> >> Install master cylinder and reservoir, full reservoir with new brake >fluid. Open bleeder valve on left front wheel, drain fluid until you >know you're getting new fluid at the wheel cylinder. >> >> Connect hose to bleeder valve, route discharge into master cylinder >reservoir. Slowly pump brake pedal until no bubbles can be seen in >hose. >> >> Gravity bleed right rear wheel until no air and new fluid is visible. >If your hose is long enough, you can use same method from front wheel, >and pump brake fluid around in a circle until all the air is out. >> >> -- >> Max Dillon >> Charleston SC >> '95 E300, '87 300TD, '73 Balboa 20 >> >> >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
