Jun 9, 2015, 04:56 PM
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- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: How to Replace Brake Fluid
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
Anyone here replace their own brake fluid?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Las Vegas
Black 2003 E320, 2001 BMW M Roadster
Anyone here replace their own brake fluid?
I'm due for a service "C" and plan on performing it myself. Most of it is stupid simple; oil change, filters, etc. My only hesitation is with the brake bleed. I've done brake bleeds on my BMW, but the SBC system in the Benz has me concerned. I have a motive power bleeder. Should I just hook it up and go to work?...or do I need to disconnect the SBC? I thought I read a post about the SBC being an issue, but I just did a search and couldn't find a definite answer. Anyone with any experience with this?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Newport Coast, CA
makes your daughter horny
Wont you be able to bleed to brakes without the computer? Many on this forum say yes, but thus far I have been afraid to do so...
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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2005 e320 4matic wagon (wifes)
Mee too
I am ready for the brake service too, is there anything special or hook up power bleed crack bleeder and make sure resevoir is full. I hate paying people to work on stuff for me. I always swear if I have to take it to the dealer for everything I will buy something else. Internet is great.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
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From: Las Vegas
Black 2003 E320, 2001 BMW M Roadster
I'm a believer. It was said that brake pads weren't DIY b/c of SBC, but I did mine recently (with reassurance that others had done it on this forum). I was just checking to see if there were any tricks related to the SBC before performing the flush.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Because of the many posts you provided about this, I went ahead a couple of months ago and bought a Motive bleeder and a liter of ATE blue and bled mine. No problems!! I took me longer to get the car up on 4 jack stands and remove the wheels than to do the bleeding procedure -- whole job was an hour.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Regards,
paul...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Paul,, Did you just pressurize the bleeder/master cylinder then open each bleed screw until it ran clear fluid? Or did you have to open and refill the master cylinder when using the Bleeder. Jim
I didn't have to flush mine,, 2000 miles ago the SBC failed and MB replaced all the braking parts which included brake flush. So I won't have to do it for a while.
I didn't have to flush mine,, 2000 miles ago the SBC failed and MB replaced all the braking parts which included brake flush. So I won't have to do it for a while.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 22
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2005 e320 4matic wagon (wifes)
My bleeder works from the wheel side, I can push fluid into the system, handy on old American Junk from time to time, or I can pull fluid through which is how I usually do it. Using this method you have to keep an eye on your master or you run dry. I had a bleeder years ago that pushed from the master but the fit was very specific and not universal. So to get a final answer to the question do you have to disconnect any of the electrical or can you just bleed it out like an old chevy and go. Granted using proper fluid not dot 3.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2005 MB E500
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Black 2003 E320, 2001 BMW M Roadster
Mark,
Because of the many posts you provided about this, I went ahead a couple of months ago and bought a Motive bleeder and a liter of ATE blue and bled mine. No problems!! I took me longer to get the car up on 4 jack stands and remove the wheels than to do the bleeding procedure -- whole job was an hour.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Regards,
paul...
Because of the many posts you provided about this, I went ahead a couple of months ago and bought a Motive bleeder and a liter of ATE blue and bled mine. No problems!! I took me longer to get the car up on 4 jack stands and remove the wheels than to do the bleeding procedure -- whole job was an hour.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Regards,
paul...
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Paul,, Did you just pressurize the bleeder/master cylinder then open each bleed screw until it ran clear fluid? Or did you have to open and refill the master cylinder when using the Bleeder. Jim
I didn't have to flush mine,, 2000 miles ago the SBC failed and MB replaced all the braking parts which included brake flush. So I won't have to do it for a while.
I didn't have to flush mine,, 2000 miles ago the SBC failed and MB replaced all the braking parts which included brake flush. So I won't have to do it for a while.
I first hooked up the bleeder to the master cylinder and pressurized to 10psi as the Motive directions state (to check for leaks). After watching the gauge for a bout 10 mins with no loss of pressure, I opened the Motive unit and filled it with 1 L of ATE blue. Closed up the Motive unit and pumped until the gauge read 20psi, and then started the bleed process. Closed each bleeder valve at the caliper when the new fluid got dark blue. Besides great specs, ATE fluid comes in 2 colors (blue and amber) so people can alternate which makes it easy to see when the old fluid is out.
Sounds like you can enjoy the next 2 years before you have to do this again.
Regards,
paul...
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
When I topped off with fluid from my brake job I bought ATE SL fluid dot 4 to use. If I remember correctly there was a special additive for the SBC. Does the Blue meet the spec,, I might use it next time.
This is what I found for the ATE SL fluid.
Brake fluid transmits the pressure applied to the brake pedal by the driver to the brakes themselves. Since the introduction of electronic systems like ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program), brake fluid has become increasing important. The hydraulic units of these systems have a large number of small bores and ducts, some of them smaller in diameter than a human hair. Additionally, ESP systems rely on brake fluid to help decelerate individual wheels in fractions of a second in order to stabilize the vehicle in critical situations (e.g. a skid).
ATE's SL.6 Brake Fluid is a thin-bodied brake fluid designed to optimally work with these systems and meets and exceeds FMVSS§571.116, DOT 4/DOT 3, SAE J1703 as well as ISO 4925, Class 6 requirements. Most vehicle manufacturers already use the low-viscosity DOT 4, Class 6 (ISO 4925) brake fluids in production cars (OEM and OES).
This is what I found for the ATE SL fluid.
Brake fluid transmits the pressure applied to the brake pedal by the driver to the brakes themselves. Since the introduction of electronic systems like ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program), brake fluid has become increasing important. The hydraulic units of these systems have a large number of small bores and ducts, some of them smaller in diameter than a human hair. Additionally, ESP systems rely on brake fluid to help decelerate individual wheels in fractions of a second in order to stabilize the vehicle in critical situations (e.g. a skid).
ATE's SL.6 Brake Fluid is a thin-bodied brake fluid designed to optimally work with these systems and meets and exceeds FMVSS§571.116, DOT 4/DOT 3, SAE J1703 as well as ISO 4925, Class 6 requirements. Most vehicle manufacturers already use the low-viscosity DOT 4, Class 6 (ISO 4925) brake fluids in production cars (OEM and OES).
Last edited by vettdvr; Apr 2, 2008 at 08:15 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
When I topped off with fluid from my brake job I bought ATE SL fluid dot 4 to use. If I remember correctly there was a special additive for the SBC. Does the Blue meet the spec,, I might use it next time.
This is what I found for the ATE SL fluid.
Brake fluid transmits the pressure applied to the brake pedal by the driver to the brakes themselves. Since the introduction of electronic systems like ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program), brake fluid has become increasing important. The hydraulic units of these systems have a large number of small bores and ducts, some of them smaller in diameter than a human hair. Additionally, ESP systems rely on brake fluid to help decelerate individual wheels in fractions of a second in order to stabilize the vehicle in critical situations (e.g. a skid).
ATE's SL.6 Brake Fluid is a thin-bodied brake fluid designed to optimally work with these systems and meets and exceeds FMVSS§571.116, DOT 4/DOT 3, SAE J1703 as well as ISO 4925, Class 6 requirements. Most vehicle manufacturers already use the low-viscosity DOT 4, Class 6 (ISO 4925) brake fluids in production cars (OEM and OES).
This is what I found for the ATE SL fluid.
Brake fluid transmits the pressure applied to the brake pedal by the driver to the brakes themselves. Since the introduction of electronic systems like ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program), brake fluid has become increasing important. The hydraulic units of these systems have a large number of small bores and ducts, some of them smaller in diameter than a human hair. Additionally, ESP systems rely on brake fluid to help decelerate individual wheels in fractions of a second in order to stabilize the vehicle in critical situations (e.g. a skid).
ATE's SL.6 Brake Fluid is a thin-bodied brake fluid designed to optimally work with these systems and meets and exceeds FMVSS§571.116, DOT 4/DOT 3, SAE J1703 as well as ISO 4925, Class 6 requirements. Most vehicle manufacturers already use the low-viscosity DOT 4, Class 6 (ISO 4925) brake fluids in production cars (OEM and OES).
I'm not familiar with the ATE SL, but their Super Blue/Amber meets the Super 4 or 4+ specs.
Regards,
paul...
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Also, ATE rates their brake fluids' viscosity at a temp of -40 C, so I put a call to their tech people to find out if they have viscosity measures for other temps -- will post when Iget the info.
Regards,
paul...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I went over to the ATE website and the SL.6 replaces the Super Dot 4 which is the Euro equivalent of the US Dot 4+ (unless I have this reversed). The Dot 4+ is what was listed in my MB fluids book that came with the car.
Also, ATE rates their brake fluids' viscosity at a temp of -40 C, so I put a call to their tech people to find out if they have viscosity measures for other temps -- will post when Iget the info.
Regards,
paul...
Also, ATE rates their brake fluids' viscosity at a temp of -40 C, so I put a call to their tech people to find out if they have viscosity measures for other temps -- will post when Iget the info.
Regards,
paul...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
DIY brake bleeder
I am collecting parts to build one of these. Looks like the O/E reservoir cap will be the only piece not sourced from Ace or Home Depot
http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm
http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 31
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From: Las Vegas
Black 2003 E320, 2001 BMW M Roadster
Just to complete the circle.... I bled the brake lines this weekend, no problems at all. I used ATE racing blue brake fluid and a pressure bleeder. I removed as much old fluid from the reservoir as possible with some tubing and a 75cc syringe, then filled to the top with fresh fluid. I used the pressure bleeder just to add the air pressure. When I finished, I just topped off the reservoir. The rest of my service "C" was easy too. Oil change, used a Motive topsider, oil filter, air filters, etc. I had changed my brake pads recently, so I quickly examined those and noted one of my sensor wires had frayed and broken. Replaced that sensor and my brake warning message went away. 
All in all, not too challenging and I saved alot of $$$.
All in all, not too challenging and I saved alot of $$$.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4
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2006 E350
Hi Jim,
I first hooked up the bleeder to the master cylinder and pressurized to 10psi as the Motive directions state (to check for leaks). After watching the gauge for a bout 10 mins with no loss of pressure, I opened the Motive unit and filled it with 1 L of ATE blue. Closed up the Motive unit and pumped until the gauge read 20psi, and then started the bleed process. Closed each bleeder valve at the caliper when the new fluid got dark blue. Besides great specs, ATE fluid comes in 2 colors (blue and amber) so people can alternate which makes it easy to see when the old fluid is out.
Sounds like you can enjoy the next 2 years before you have to do this again.
Regards,
paul...
I first hooked up the bleeder to the master cylinder and pressurized to 10psi as the Motive directions state (to check for leaks). After watching the gauge for a bout 10 mins with no loss of pressure, I opened the Motive unit and filled it with 1 L of ATE blue. Closed up the Motive unit and pumped until the gauge read 20psi, and then started the bleed process. Closed each bleeder valve at the caliper when the new fluid got dark blue. Besides great specs, ATE fluid comes in 2 colors (blue and amber) so people can alternate which makes it easy to see when the old fluid is out.
Sounds like you can enjoy the next 2 years before you have to do this again.
Regards,
paul...
Have you disabled the SBC prior to perform brake fluid flush ??? My car has with SBC....
