The bleeding of the brakes...

D

deadbugdug

Registered
At some point, I want to powder coat my extra set of brake calipers before swapping them into my car, which (short story) will require the bleeding of the brakes (duh).

Going thru my FERD manual, it talks about "special eqipment" to bleed ABS brakes. A quick google of the LOD site produced for me this little tidbit:

"Connect the NGS DCL cable adapter into the vehicle data link connector (DLC) under the dash and follow the NGS instructions."

That's nice, but what in the dee-uce is a "NGS DCL" and where do I obtain one? For how much of my hard-earned dollars?

Thank'n you much!
 
RE: The bleeding of the brakes...

Don't worry about it, it's not necessary. Just bleed the brakes as you would normally, and be extra careful not to get air into the ABS pump (ie: keep fluid in the reservoir at all times. The special equipment is only to get the air out of the ABS module.
 
RE: The bleeding of the brakes...

What I've done is replace the brake fluid, instead of just bleeding. I used a vacuum pump and a container to suck the old fluid out while pulling in the new stuff.
 
RE: The bleeding of the brakes...

Mah-veh-lous.

So why do they make it so hard? (Don't answer -- I already know!)

And thanks!
 
RE: The bleeding of the brakes...

Ford isn't making it hard. The Electronic Bleed is being misunderstood.

The electronic bleed is for a very specific purpose: to get trapped air out of the internal solenoid chambers and passages of the HCU (Hydraulic Control Unit). It basically forces a full four wheel ABS event to occur with the vehicle sitting still. All HCU solenoids open and close rapidly, the ABS pump drives high pressure fluid into them, and the air is forced out of the HCU and into the downstream lines. It is then removed with a conventional brake bleed.

This bleed procedure ONLY needs to be done if the HCU is being replaced (the new one comes out of the box empty, oops, I mean full of air!) or the master cylinder has gone so empty air has been allowed to enter the HCU.

It is NEVER required on component repacement downstream of the HCU unless you run the system dry.
Don't leave the bleeders open while you go for beers and a barbecue.

I can't speak about aftermarket manuals, such as Chilton or Mitchell's, but every Ford manual I've ever used is very clear about the difference between conventional and Electronic HCU Bleed and when each must be used.
 
RE: The bleeding of the brakes...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
I can't speak about aftermarket manuals, such as Chilton or Mitchell's, but every Ford manual I've ever used is very clear about the difference between conventional and Electronic HCU Bleed and when each must be used.
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Thanks. I'm using the CD manual from Dominique France, adn unless I overlooked it, it wasn't clear about why/when/where/how on the electronic bleed. I'm glad you cleared that up!
 
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