Front SS brake lines = mush brakes, help

[Torquewrench]

I managed to successfully install the rear lines last weekend, flushed with ATE Blue and had a great pedal, but the fronts didn't go as smoothly. When I disconnected the hardline more fluid came out than I was expecting (slow drip, but it added up).

I bled with the Motiv bleeder, then followed up with 5-6 pumps using the manual method, and the pedal was mushy. Flowed more through with the pressure bleeder and got some air out of the driver-side front, but the pedal's still far from firm.

I know if I got air into the ABS/DSC valves then I have to take it to someone with the MoDIC. My plan right now is to do more manual bleeding with the pedal tonight and see if I can get the air out.

Any advice on what I can do tonight to fix this?

Thanks a ton,

[bren]

Engage ABS a few times before you bleed them again.

[SMOODY]

Engage ABS a few times before you bleed them again.

I agree. This will sometimes get the air bubble to move enough to allow for successful bleeding.

[OwnedbyDuncan]

Start at the rear again right rear, left rear, right front and then left front.

Dave Apker

[Torquewrench]

I'll try it tonight and let you know how it goes. Thanks, everyone.

[tgmeyer]

Engage ABS a few times before you bleed them again.

Please let us know WHERE you will perform this. I want to be off the road and nowhere near.
Tom

[Torquewrench]

I just made ~10 short stops from 30-50 mph around my neighborhood, was getting ABS on for 1-3 seconds at a time. Didn't get to the bleeding last night, just too much other stuff to do then it was dark (working outside), so this Sunday at the soonest.

One interesting post I found on e46 fanatics talked of bleeding the master cylinder and ABS/DSC valves directly. Anyone here done that?

Here's the link: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...light=bleeding

[SMOODY]

I have heard / read about bleeding the ABS/DSC unit and the master cylinder. I have not actually had to perform either one. When I put the stainless steel lines on my car, I just did the bleed-ABS-bleed method and everything was fine.

If the ABS engagement trick does not work, then you will need to bleed the ABS module and / or the master cylinder. If the brake fluid resevoir did not run low during the bleed procedure, then I would start with the ABS unit.

[Torquewrench]

Well, I decided to give it one more try and bled all four brakes manually with new fluid. Went through 12 pedal strokes minimum per caliper and found air in the right-rear caliper only, but the brakes already felt much, much better. Since I had the car up on four jackstands I decided I shouldn't stop just because I ran out of fluid, so I went out and got another liter.

Going through all four brakes again, 12 strokes or more per caliper, I got a significant air bubble out of the front-right caliper. Other than that, all four were clear.

What did I learn? Have your helper press hard on the pedal and keep the pressure up throughout the pedal stroke to dislodge any bubbles. Also, use a proper 9mm wrench instead of a small adjustable wrench. Finally, the wait between bleedings seemed to allow the bubbled to collect in the FR caliper, so that might be worth trying again.

My last step is to bed in the brakes, I'll let you know if I feel a difference.

Thanks to all,

TW