XSeries-forum

Looking for some advice from someone in the know.

I have got the rear brake pipe sections to replace due to MOT on my E53 ,its the pipes that run from the rear calipers and across the rear upper suspension links.
I know if air gets into the ABS unit it will need to be programmed to open valves to bleed it and the rear brakes.I wish to avoid this at all costs.
What I'm proposing to do is clamp the rear pipes that are to be replaced, fit new pipe sections into caliper and then quickly screw up new pipe before all the fluid runs out of the system. I'm assuming as long as the reservoir does not empty no air will get into the ABS unit and I will be able to bleed the rear brakes in the traditional way. Has anyone done this sucessfully? I understand fluid changes can be done in a similar way without programming as long as the reservoir is not emptied.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

Before you attempt that job, I think you have to have a proper BMW piece of kit to open a valve to allow bleeding. I would take to an Indie, can be a very expensive nightmare if you get it wrong.
Raj  will be able to tell you he posted a piece on it months ago, I think he had to get Jason on the job in the end.

Inpa5 will do it

If you look for raj post you will see that we used a pressure bleeder as well as our diagnostics to activate the abs system

Make sure the system does not run dry or you can damage the seals in the master cylinder if you pump the pedal

[quote="jason@bwchiptune"]
If you look for raj post you will see that we used a pressure bleeder as well as our diagnostics to activate the abs system

Make sure the system does not run dry or you can damage the seals in the master cylinder if you pump the pedal
[/quote]

When you did RAJ's car was all the fluid drained from the reservoir when the calipers were removed? I'm trying to prevent air getting into the ABS unit in the first place which it seems can only get in from the master cylinder side of the system i.e when you loosen a joint or vent nipple and all the fluid drains out, I'm assuming if the master cyl reservoir never runs empty no air will enter the ABS unit.

Wouldn't have thought you would get much syphon out as the system uses small bore pipework and the fluid is thicker than water, on top of that, if you keep the reservoir top on, it has less chance of sucking any air in.

With mine the air got in as the calipers were all removed and so yes the reservoir ran dry hence the need to have it done by Jason to cycle the valve to allow proper bleeding.

If you are quick enough with the removal and replacement of the pipe work and don't let the reservoir run dry then yes you should in theory not have an issue.

When you say clamp the brake pipes do you mean the rubber hoses . You can`t clamp the metal pipes .

The trick to prevent the fluid draining whilst you work with the system " open " is to remove the filler cap and put cling film over the hole and put the filler cap back on . The filler cap is vented and this is why you need to create a seal .

Yes obviously it will be the rubber hoses I will be clamping, a latex glove works well on the fluid reservoir.

For anyone thats interested the job was a success with no issues, I sealed reservoir filler neck, clamped flexible hoses, removed calipers fitted new pads and hoses refitted and quickly screwed up new hoses, lost virtually no fluid, I then pressure bled the system at around 20 psi. I also removed the rear discs while I was there to overhaul the parkbrake setup which is a regular maintenance requirement on e53's.

Worth checking these rear hoses on your e53's very common mot failure, not easy for the examiner to see due to routing so worth checking yourself.

Glad it all went straight forward. I've got a set of braided hoses to fit to mine at some point.

Ill be doing mine very soon!

great read. I have previously used INPA to do the above as someone mentioned.

Me and did it work ??

[quote="wilkoturbo"]
Me and did it work ??
[/quote]
it worked on an 2004 E46 compact after having to replace a caliper and the DSC Pressure sensors