abakja1

Ok,..

This is my first time doing maintanance work on my 05 W211 as I put in new EBC Red Pads in and I need to bleed the brakes..Ive done my Suby's Brembos many times, so pad swap was a breeze for the E55.

I searched the threads and didnt come up with an answer as I finally went to the dealership and dropped $53 on 2 bottles of Brake fluid..yes,..$53 bucks... Also, having more electronics I have more questions...



From what I was told at the parts desk, I could use any Dot 4, but Im assuming MB Fluid is in my resevoir now, and not sure if I can mix any DOT 4 fluid in as I dont know exactly what chemical compounds are in the MB Dot 4 Plus. I would like to flush and refill with my Motul RBF 600 or other, but I dont know if MB requires it necessary to have MB Dot 4 Plus to work with the braking system. And, the MB fluid has a boiling pt of only 356 Degrees. So my question is, has anyone mixed brake fluids or OTHER than MB Brake fluid?

2nd question is, I gotta bleed my brakes. After disconnecting the SBC, can I turn the key to the ON position to begin bleeding the brakes so there is power to assist (so the pedal can move more freely to the floor while bleeding)??? Or do you bleed the brakes without the key in the ON position as that might mess up the SBC or throw a heck of a lot of error codes on the dash?

Sorry for my questions, but I havent found any answer in any of the threads Ive read so far.. Thanks for any help!!

m_berman

DOT 4 is the same DOT 4 at MB. You can get it at PEP Boys for about $5.00.

BTW...
You may wish to get a on line subscription to

www.alldatadiy.com

All repair info about your MB. I find it very usefull.

abakja1

I'll pass on the DIY link as I have an extended warranty and that I can look up on the web for maintanance items....

I had to ask on these forums to find out for sure that the chemicals in MB Dot 4 would be compatible with any DOT 4 fluid.

So far, I guess I can do a manual or pressure bleed after disconnecting the SBC. With a manual bleed, is it ok to put the car in the ON position for power assist, or should I leave the key out?

AZIPOD

FYI, I tried it with the Star SDS computer 2 weeks ago and I couldn't get any fluid to come out, it just drips. Then I tried to manual bleed and still nothing came out! I too have 2 bottles of MB DOT4s just sitting in the garage.

Let's posts FYIs if anyone knows... ?

komp55

There is a reason that MB specified DOT 4+. It's the SBC unit, which requires a higher grade brake fluid than DOT 4 for viscosity reasons. DOT 4 runs a very good risk of damaging the SBC unit over time. Use ONLY DOT 4+ or equivalent.

Bleeding the brakes without using a Star system is doable, but not preferred because it will only be a partial bleed. The Star system operates a variety of values in the SBC unit during its bleed sequence. Any other form of bleeding, including the procedure described below, is less than a complete bleed. In order to do a bleed without Star, you need a Motive pressure bleeder in order to apply positive pressure at the brake fluid reservoir. They are available online from many sources and run about $69 or so.

Procedure:

Unplug the SBC control unit. To be double safe, you can also disconnect the ground from the batter in the trunk.

Note: Some recommend using a baster to suction out as much old fluid from the reservoir as possible before starting the bleed. This is a good idea, but make sure that no air is allowed to be introduced to the system. Then top the reservoir back up with fresh fluid.

1. Fill Motive bleeder with two liters of MB DOT 4+ brake fluid.
2. Attach pressure cap to reservoir and pump up bleeder to 2 bar pressure and confirm bleeder cap holds the pressure. If it does, pump up the bleeder to 2.2 bar and begin bleeding.
3. Caliper sequence is RR, LR, LF RF (RF is last since it is nearest the SBC unit).
4. Attach catch bottle to RR bleeder and then open bleeder. Allow fluid to run until its clear and free of bubbles. Close bleeder screw and move catch bottle to LR.
5. Recheck the pressure on the bleeder and pump back up as necessary.
6. Repeat the procedure at each corner in the sequence mention above.
7. On the factory front calipers, there are two bleed screws. Do the outer bleeders first.
8. Once you've bled each caliper, release the pressure on the bleeder, top up the reservoir to the fill line as needed.

It is not necessary at all to pump the brake pedal if you use a Motive bleeder, and it is a one-man job. Follow the above procedure at your own risk, but it's what I did when I bled my brakes and I got no SBC warnings, and have a very nice, firm pedal.

James@ACG

This is the only way to bleed your brakes without the SDS tool.

The brake pedal is actually just a electronic signal to the SBC, and is not a hydraulic pedal like most other vehicles. You can pump the brake pedal all you want however it will not push the brake fluid out with the SBC unplugged.

If you have the SDS then there is a brake bleeding process on it, however it also requires a pressure bleeder to be attached to the reservoir.

abakja1

Thanks for the info,..I am clear on the DOT 4 Plus as its more than wet boiling points, but what is compatible with the SBC unit..

Also, I will do my first Motive pressure bleed. I wanted to bleed the system as when I put new pads in, I had to open the nipples so that I could push the pistons in. I lost a lot of fluid and need to top off the resevoir, but not sure if there is air in the system now. I have a Motive Pressure Bleeder, but not sure if the cap will fit my MB as I bought the set for my Subaru. I will take note and try it this week. Thanks all!!

vettdvr

Please don't use DOT 4 in SBC Use the DOT 4+ as in previous post. If you use the 4 and have failure of SBC I am sure your 10 yr warranty will be void!

crazypotato

Has anyone have experience with using Power Bleeder with SDS? I have a clone SDS. From the DAS simulation, it seems like you can hook up the power bleeder to the reservoir and SDS will force the fluid out on each brake.

Yacht Master

There is no way to bleed SBC with out STAR.
http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdf...%209-30-02.pdf
Page 34
And use only MB DOT 4 Plus.
abakja1 any claim that bleeding is possible with out the SBC powered up and STAR/SDS connected is incorrect.

crazypotato

What are the steps to bleed sbc with SDS? Do you need a MB pressure bleeder?

chr1srock

Thank you komp55 for such a detailed information!!! I followed step by step and it worked like wonders.

Staff@RPM

I have the Motive power bleeders in stock. We are selling them for $50.00 and I can get them out right away. I also have stainless steel brake line kits if you are interested in stock and we are selling those for $150.00 for a set. If you need any fluid we sell it at $15/liter.

Let me know if any of you guys need anything. I will be happy to help in any way that I can.

thanks-
-craig

Benw211

This is not true. Just did it on a W211 2007 with power motive pressure bleeder (could be done with any pressure set up).
1) Disconnect battery (not even sure I had to do this)
2) Pressurize system with pressure bleeding setup to 15 - 20 PSI
3) Bleed in the traditional way (meaning have assistant pump the brakes and crack the bleeders)

Works great, cost $50 USD for the pressure set up (you could cobble one together for way less if you needed to). This was after needing to replace a bunch of rusted out lines. There was air in the SBC module, lines and calipers. Still worked fine. It did require about 1.5L of brake fluid. It did not require any scan tool let alone the STAR. No codes after the fact and brakes feel great!
Happy to answer questions if this isn't clear!

UncleBenz55

W211 2007 doesn't have sbc...

Yuille36

This is true, the 07-09 W211 E63 have a traditional braking system, and is not augmented by SBC electronics like the W211 E55's.
So, you can easily use a power bleeder, or have someone sit in the car and pump the brakes. Your choice. But the E55's braking system is a whole different animal.