I swear I have searched but, I can not find what I am looking for. I am about to install the JCW Brembo brakes on my MINI and I am worried about bleeding the brakes and the ABS system. Is there any tips or experience any of you guys have that can help me out. Thanks in advance and like I said I searched and could not find the answer I was looking for.

 

Start from the rear pass side first, do the rear driver, front pass, and driver side. Make sure there is fluid at all times in the reservoir. Crack the nut open and pump the pedal a few times. Use Ate blue fluid that way you can see the fluid color change in the clear hose that you will attach to the nut while you are pumping the pedal. You will need one can of fluid.

 

I know what you are getting at, there are potentially problems doing a complete flush on a system with the complicated ABS/DSC system, which shares the same fluid.

BMW service departments do a pressure bleed, and electronically activate the ABS pump during the bleed process to cycle fluid through the pump.

There are some software / scan programs that allow cycling of the ABS system, but generally they are not available to most of us. Some people have figured out a way to activate the ABS of various BMW models by shorting several circuits. I haven't seen anyone do this on a mini. Others advocate bleeding, then going and activating abs, eg by doing a hard brake on grass, and then rebleeding.

The main concern is if air gets into the ABS system, which can be difficult problem to fix!

However, in the real world I have never had a problem with the ABS system. The main thing is to allways keep the resevoir full, and under no circumstances allow air to enter the system.

Edit : the motive pressure bleeding system is very good and easy to use for a full system flush / bleed btw

 

+1 for the benefits of the Motive power bleed system...available from ECS and direct from Motive...a quick web search will find them.

 

Think you guys are talking about the Motive bleeder here. Works great.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES1895871/




Here is the MINI Factory fluid :

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/81220146735/




Ad here is the Motul or ATE if you perfer them.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES1899347_es261392/

Thanks

 

Yep, that's the one. For years I vacuum bled brakes which was an improvement over the manual method with two people....but pressure bleeding is MUCH easier and more reliable, making it quite simple to get all the air out of the lines. I recently flushed my entire brake system using this Motive bleeder...it was an uneventful task, which makes it perfect in my book!

I have no business interest in Motive Products or ECS...just a satisfied user of the product.

 

The Motive bleeder is awesome!

 

Another option is this one that uses shop air to create a constant vacuum.

http://www.minicarparts.net/Parts/W7010

Worked great when I flushed all the old fluid out and put in the Super Blue. Glad I bought extra, stupid government.

 

Power bleeders are a great help, Motive is one, but there are others. They are inexpensive - buy them and use them to make sure your brake reservoir does not run out of fluid as you bleed the brake lines.

The key is not introducing air in the the brake system while you bleed.
The solution - always keep the brake reservoir full.

You can't bleed the ABS pump w/o cycling it's valves, so DIY bleeding will effectively bleed old fluid out of only the lines, and leave the old fluid in the ABS pump. That's not a big deal, as the volume involved is insignificant. After your cycle ABS a few times, new fluid will get in, and the next time you bleed you will get the remain old fluid out.

The only time ABS becomes a problem is if/when you introduce air into the brake lines/system and it gets into the ABS pump.
So make sure you plug the open brake lines with something as you swap the calipers - unplugged brake lines left lying around while you take a beer brake can exhaust all the fluid supplies even inside a Motive pressure bleeder!

a

 

I really appreciate the answers but, I decided that I am just going to have it professionally done. I am just way too nervous that I am going to screw it up. Also Bimmerfest is Saturday and I don't want to miss it.

Sent from me being awesome around my MINI!!

 

bump - exactly how much fluid is needed for this?

 

Just under a liter. I used like 800ish ml out 2 500 ml bottles.