I finally got time to install speigler brake lines on my 2000 R1100RT. No problems until I tried to bleed the rear system. First I connected my Mighty Vac to the left bleed screw on the ABS modulator(I checked that this is the correct screw for the rear circuit). I could not get the brake fluid to come up in the bleeder tubing more than about 2 inches and did not draw any fluid out of the reservoir. Decided to try the method suggested by Happy Wanderer on another post of pushing fluid up from caliper with a syringe. I had the bleed screw open on the modulator but got no fluid there. Instead I pushed fluid into the reservoir. Checked the brake pedal and it bottoms out. As I understand it, the circuit needs to be bled from the reservoir to the modulator and then from the modulator to the rear caliper or fluid can be pushed up bleeding the lines in the opposite direction. What am I missing?
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brake bleeding problems 2000R1100RT
- Thread starter littledog
- Start date
m_stock10506
Well-known member
The rear brake circuit is very difficult to get going once you lose fluid in the lines. Of course, that is exactly what happens when you replace the original hose section. You are correct. The fluid circuit goes all the way from the caliper to the ABS2 then to the master cylinder and reservoir. Because the ABS2 hydro unit is the highest part of the circuit, it is nearly impossible to pump the lever in the usual way to move the fluid through - it just won't move the air out of the way.
Ignore the ABS2 modulator for now. The fluid will pass through it. Make sure that the bleed screw at the caliper isn't a speed bleeder. They are great (my opinion) when bleeding the circuits once they are already filled with fluid. The stop valve in the speed bleeder will prevent you from back filling the circuit from the caliper. You should be able to use a syringe at the caliper bleed screw and push brake fluid all the way up the line into the MC. Once you have done this, then you should be able to bleed the rear circuit the traditional way. Put a clear hose on the bleed screw at the caliper. Open it up enough so that fluid starts to enter the clear hose. Pump the brake pedal and fluid should start moving out of the caliper. If you can get the fluid moving that way, bleed through at least three or four refills of the MC reservoir to make sure any air bubbles are pushed out.
Ignore the ABS2 modulator for now. The fluid will pass through it. Make sure that the bleed screw at the caliper isn't a speed bleeder. They are great (my opinion) when bleeding the circuits once they are already filled with fluid. The stop valve in the speed bleeder will prevent you from back filling the circuit from the caliper. You should be able to use a syringe at the caliper bleed screw and push brake fluid all the way up the line into the MC. Once you have done this, then you should be able to bleed the rear circuit the traditional way. Put a clear hose on the bleed screw at the caliper. Open it up enough so that fluid starts to enter the clear hose. Pump the brake pedal and fluid should start moving out of the caliper. If you can get the fluid moving that way, bleed through at least three or four refills of the MC reservoir to make sure any air bubbles are pushed out.
gsaddict
Pepperfool
You can push fluid right from the caliper right to the reservoir thru the ABS module (non servo).
I do it every time SS Teflon lines are installed on the rear or the front.
Make sure the brake pedal is at rest to allow flow. If it is the least bit depressed it will block the flow.
Thanks to both of you for your advice. Following the method you described I had no problems bleeding the system, and achieving a good solid pedal. Now on to the front brakes. I assume I can use the same procedure even though there are two calipers instead of one. I believe I have read that I need to start with the left caliper, after removing the calipers, retracting the pistons , and securing them in the retracted position.
m_stock10506
Well-known member
You can, but it isn’t really necessary. On the 1100 ABS2 system, the handle bar MC is the highest point. You can literally fill the MC with fluid, then open either one of the caliper bleeder screws and the fluid will make it all the way down there. You can speed it up by pumping the brake lever, never all the way to the grips. Or, you can do the same back fill process.
