awiner

Just was thinking of the ABS brake system on modern Mercedes.

I assume one would need the SDS Laptop to actuate the ABS valves in order to properly bleed the ABS system on current Mercedes vehicles ?


Would I be correct in assuming this ?

E55AMG99

Why would you need to activate the valves? In overly simple terms, doesn't ABS "bleed" pressure and therefore fluid back into the master cylinder? It would appear that though the valves are in line, they are normally open in the direction of the wheel cylinder.

The calves were not a factor in bleeding the brakes on my ABS equipped Denali. Is MB ABS that much different?

awiner

This is exactly what I am trying to figure out.....

Lou Nielsen

You need to use a pressure bleeder to flush fluid of ASR as well as brake lines. Cars without ASR can be bled conventionally ( no pressure bleeder required).

E55AMG99

Of course, a power bleeder makes flushing easier (no need to pump the brake pedal) but is it absolutely mandatory with MB ABS and why?

levelr123g

you are correct, to PROPERLY bleed/replace the fluid you would need to pulse the valves.

E55AMG99

So how is this done? I am getting ready to replace the front pads and rotors on my E55. Will I be able to do this myself? If not, can I asume that only the dealer or someone with special MB tools can do this?

levelr123g

well if you are just replacing the pads/rotors you will not need to bleed them. if you are going to bleed/replace the fluid then i would recommend letting the dealer do it, especially because brakes are so important. now im not one to take the car to the dealer for anything but for a proper flush/replace/bleed i would let them do it.

E55AMG99

Thanks.

nukblazi

The dealership would put alternative fluid in our brake systems?

E55AMG99

I'm not sure what you mean by alterative but the dealer just replace the fluid in my 2000 CLK 430 at no cost! I never replaced brake fluid in my cars before. Of course, I don't keep them for more than a few years and less than 40,000 miles. Does anyone else find this excessive for a 3 year old car with less than 20,000 miles on it?

mleskovar

"to PROPERLY bleed/replace the fluid you would need to pulse the valves."

I've never heard of this before (not that I'm omniscient). Does a power bleeder do this? I doubt it, but once again I don't know. As far as replacing brake fluid....MB recommends it every two years for my car ('01 C320) and they replaced it for free during my last 'B' service (48K miles). I think replacing brake fluid should be based on the amount of water in the brake fluid which can be read with a cheap tool/sensor and not based on time. Does anyone know anything about the accuracy of brake fluid hydroscopic testors?

vinceC

See the following thread regarding this question: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=2591 By the way, the answer to many questions can be found using the search feature.

mbtech208

As long as the car in question doesn't have SBC, you would bleed the brakes the same way you would on a '74 Buick (pump, pump, pump, hold).