Another brake thread.

[DeCaff2007]

96 X with 125K. V8 AWD...

Now that that's out of the way, I'm having issues with my brakes.

Two lines coming off the ABS module were rotted and leaking so I replaced them both. No leaks now, and I've bled the brakes until the cows came home...

But I have NO pedal at all.

To make matters worse, I've only had this Explorer about 2 weeks and the brake pedal was really soft to begin with.

I've searched on here about bleeding the ABS module and nothing definitive, aside from some mystery $150 special tool.

Google shows nothing, YouTube is useless.

Now what....

Help?

 

[drdoom]

I believe you're on the right track. There must have been some air introduced into the ABS unit
..you will need a capable scantool to finish bleeding.

 

[1998Exp]

Second that. Removing those broken lines let air into the ABS controller. Some people claim to have luck with improvisations, but the proper way to bleed it out of there is to execute an ABS bleeding procedure, which operates the valves in that unit in a special sequence. To make it more challenging, the procedure is probably model and year specific. The dealer will certainly have the right scanner and right software to do this. Unless you are ready to spend something like $2000 on an NGS or similar, you won't. Independent mechanics may or may not, but considering dealers' prices, can't hurt to ask.

I believe you're on the right track. There must have been some air introduced into the ABS unit
..you will need a capable scantool to finish bleeding.

 

[DeCaff2007]

Second that. Removing those broken lines let air into the ABS controller. Some people claim to have luck with improvisations, but the proper way to bleed it out of there is to execute an ABS bleeding procedure, which operates the valves in that unit in a special sequence. To make it more challenging, the procedure is probably model and year specific. The dealer will certainly have the right scanner and right software to do this. Unless you are ready to spend something like $2000 on an NGS or similar, you won't. Independent mechanics may or may not, but considering dealers' prices, can't hurt to ask.

buncha ****. My Saturn, my Toyota, my girlfriends Jeep, my fathers Villager and HHR ALL have ABS. I've had to brakes on every single one of those vehicles. Bled them the standard way and never had a problem.

The dealers around here are complete and total a$$holes. I've had to deal with both of the most local ones for different issues and they both act like their **** doesn't stink.

 

[1998Exp]

I doubt that anyone on this forum can help you handle the "a$$..." dealers in your area. As I said, an independent may have the right tools as well.

I think that you misunderstood the issue. There is no problem bleeding the Explorer brakes the standard way, just like you bled any other vehicle. The problems happens when air is introduced into the ABS controller, by disconnecting its lines like you have done, by letting the master cylinder run dry, or some similar misfortune. Any decent manual would have pointed that out. Good luck!

buncha ****. My Saturn, my Toyota, my girlfriends Jeep, my fathers Villager and HHR ALL have ABS. I've had to brakes on every single one of those vehicles. Bled them the standard way and never had a problem.

The dealers around here are complete and total a$$holes. I've had to deal with both of the most local ones for different issues and they both act like their **** doesn't stink.

 

[DeCaff2007]

I doubt that anyone on this forum can help you handle the "a$$..." dealers in your area. As I said, an independent may have the right tools as well.

I think that you misunderstood the issue. There is no problem bleeding the Explorer brakes the standard way, just like you bled any other vehicle. The problems happens when air is introduced into the ABS controller, by disconnecting its lines like you have done, by letting the master cylinder run dry, or some similar misfortune. Any decent manual would have pointed that out. Good luck!

I asked a guy at work if he could take care of this issue (he's an ex-mechanic). He laughed, called me a dumbass, and said "You don't need that tool. If you had half a brain you'd know this. Good luck..."

My g/f's father is also a mechanic. I dont like bothering him but I may have to ask for help this time.

Btw, the lines i disconnected ran from the abs module to the calipers. Very little brake fluid came out but i guess it was just enough to cause problems. FML

 

[drdoom]

Maybe we see why he's an ex mechanic. What a jerk thanks for nothing. Wish I knew how to help you out, I wouldn't mind sharing if I knew.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

If those lines were rotted and leaking, it makes sense that air was in the ABS module before giving you the crappy pedal feel. I have seen the ABS module bench bled, but honestly it is not easy to do when installed on the vehicle without the correct tool. However, the ForScan software does pulse the ABS system during the engine test program. You might get lucky and be able to use that in conjunction with a vacuum bleeder to get the air from the module. Certainly worth a try if you cannot get the correct tool.

 

[bill06447]

vacuum bleeder + the old-fashioned helper-push-and-hold for a couple cycles is all you need. Unless there is some other problem....

Bill

 

[DeCaff2007]

I appreciate all the replies, however, I had to get the thing inspected and an alignment done, too. Those are two things I cannot do myself.

I bit the bullet and took it to my g/f father. He gives me good rates but I hate bothering the man as he is very busy.

Thanks again for the replies.