Bleeding the brakes and the ABS system

[mjcaudillo]

I've got a 91, vin X, 5-speed, with rear Anti-lock Brakes. I thought special equipment should be used when bleeding rear ABS, but the local shop says can do it traditional way. So what do you all think, do I need to go to a shop with the equipment or not? Thanks...

 

[studd469]

Hi, I had a 94 limted with 4 wheel ABS... Dont know if it is the same as a 91, but I had to go to the dealers to get it bled..... We tried for an hour and all we got was a sloppy spungly feeling pedal(the brakes worked and had NO abs light)... brought it to ford and 15 mins later they gave it back all fixed. The mechaninc said they had to hook up the ABS to a computer or something like that.

 

[Rhett]

I've got a 91, vin X, 5-speed, with rear Anti-lock Brakes. I thought special equipment should be used when bleeding rear ABS, but the local shop says can do it traditional way. So what do you all think, do I need to go to a shop with the equipment or not? Thanks...

Yours with the rear ABS can be bled normally.

The 4-wheel ABS (93 and newer) technically need the actuator computer (dealer item) to bleed them as was mentioned...but some people have gotten by with a normal at-home bleed. I think those people never let any air into the proportioning valve. Those that do, will have a devil's time getting it out.