ABS brake bleed

Robert,

Do the brakes feel spongy while driving?

Brake feel is masked to some extent by the power assist on power brakes. I normally evaluate sponginess only after bleeding off the power brake assist with the engine OFF.

Ed P

Thanks for responding Ed, yes the brakes are spongy with the engine running. After reading your post I pressed the pedal to bleed the boost (I think) and the pedal is nice and tight afer starting its mushy again. It feels excesive like its softer than it was whe I purchased the car a few years ago. Is there a set distance the pedal should travel, coould the boost be malfunctioning?

Thanks again.

Robert,

I recently replaced the rear pads and manually bled the entire brake system on my '96 Legacy Outback and had no problem related to the presence of ABS.

If the pedal is hard with the engine OFF after you have pumped the pedal several times to remove residual assist vacuum, you have probably bled the brakes OK. But, if you feel your brakes are spongier than before, I would try bleeding them again anyway. Be sure the calipers slide freely

-- especially, if you have had any of the calipers/pads off.

Some tips: use a hand vacuum brake bleeder if you can get one. Or, get a length of tubing (preferrably clear) that fits snuggly over the bleeder fitting. Put one end over the fitting and keep the other end submerged in brake fluid so that air cannot get sucked back into system. Move the brake pedal slowly and deliberately when bleeding to avoid creating any bubbles in the fluid.

Ed P

Don't know if you followed this sequence or not, but just in case - otherwise ignore! You have to bleed both ABS bleeder valves before anything else. They're on the ABS modulator - rhs inner guard just ahead of the airbox. Start with the Primary (towards front of car), then secondary (back of unit), THEN do all wheel units in the folowing order ONLY - driver's side front, pass side rear, pass side front, driver's side rear. Cheers

Sorry - that was for rh drive (Aus). If your master cylinder is on your driver's side go with what I said - else read passenger for driver and vv. Cheers