SBC Brake Fluid Flush
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Joined: Apr 2012
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2012 E350 4matic Sport
SBC Brake Fluid Flush
As you all know on this forum, we SBC equipped W211 owners are truly at the mercy of the dealership service departments for a correct and thorough brake fluid flush and fill (2003 - 2006)
Getting ready to fork over $270.00 to my local dealer for just this service. The only other dealer in the area didn't want to do it at all ... for risk of the SBC system not responding well to this service. Can't say that I blame them. Oh well ... that's the price of enjoying the W211 right? For the record, 2006 E350 4matic with 125,000 mi. and going strong. Thanks for letting me vent. Curious as to what others have paid for SBC flush at their dealer ?
Cheers.
Getting ready to fork over $270.00 to my local dealer for just this service. The only other dealer in the area didn't want to do it at all ... for risk of the SBC system not responding well to this service. Can't say that I blame them. Oh well ... that's the price of enjoying the W211 right? For the record, 2006 E350 4matic with 125,000 mi. and going strong. Thanks for letting me vent. Curious as to what others have paid for SBC flush at their dealer ?
Cheers.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I do the trick for years in California, where with lower humid climate - water absorption with brake fluid is almost non-existent.
When I am due for brake pads change, I suck the fluid from reservoir, put new one in and then when I push brake pistons, I open the bleeder squeezing all the fluid out.
SBC will pump the brakes automatically once you wake up the car, so don't even need to pump the pedal like on older cars.
That procedure leaves only minimal amount of old fluid in the lines and SBC pump, what mostly gets pumped straight into pistons left with slag. That I will get next time.
Sure it is not match for computer activated flush, but I am OK with it.
Computer flush will not give 100 % neither and as above experience shows, it is not straight forward procedure.
When I am due for brake pads change, I suck the fluid from reservoir, put new one in and then when I push brake pistons, I open the bleeder squeezing all the fluid out.
SBC will pump the brakes automatically once you wake up the car, so don't even need to pump the pedal like on older cars.
That procedure leaves only minimal amount of old fluid in the lines and SBC pump, what mostly gets pumped straight into pistons left with slag. That I will get next time.
Sure it is not match for computer activated flush, but I am OK with it.
Computer flush will not give 100 % neither and as above experience shows, it is not straight forward procedure.
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
I have a Bosch tester that flushes the SBC. I can say with certainty that the a traditional flush vs. SBC activated flush is no comparison. I had my doubts, did a conventional flush as I've done for years. Got lucky with securing a tester and did the SBC flush - dirty fluid was flushed out the second time that was never captured the first conventional go around.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
Well worth it. Nothing about the SBC activated flush should be a concern - the pump operated no different than when driving the car. It's a very defined procedure with little or no room for error.
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Joined: Apr 2012
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2012 E350 4matic Sport
Ended up being $159.00 so .. that's a relative bargain, I reckon. Interesting enough, dealership service dept had to do the flush procedure twice. They were getting a pressure sensor left rear error message after the initial flush. My guess is that the technician messed up the first time ... but hey ... two SBC flushes .. that fluid and system is pristine now, right? Anyway ... glad I took care of this. Small price to pay for piece of mind and SBC functionality.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,512
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
Absolutely a bargain. Fluid and pressure bleeder is half that, although the pressure bleeder is a one time purchase. It's small price to pay for the longevity gained by clean fluid.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2012
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2012 E350 4matic Sport
I concur. I realize that one might think that Dealership Service experiences that are favorable are few and far between, but this was a good visit. They also took care of the outstanding Cam Position Sensor wiring harness recall whilst I was there.
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