Can the ABS pump be cleaned?

[BlueTank]

Hello All,

'87 300SDL 200K

I purchased the car a few months ago and I felt the brake pedal pulsate. Shortly after that the brake pad light came on. Upon inspection I found the pads worn unevenly on the front right wheel and I thought - this is going to be easy!

So I ordered a rebuilt caliper, rotor, and brake pads. I also ordered new rubber lines for the front just because the car is 20 years old. Put them on and went to bleed the brakes.

No problems bleeding the brakes except for the right front! I got nothing with the mightyvac, then purchased a pressure bleeder. The rubber caps on the resevoir would not let me put much use much more than 10lbs of
airpressure and that did not do it (I have replaced the rubber caps since then). I then tried the "old school" method and opened the bleeder and stepped on the brake pedal - still nothing. So, last option, opened the bleeder, started the car, and stepped on the brake pedal. I had to put a lot of pressure on the pedal before I felt it "pop" and the pedal went down. Out of the bleeder was black goo..... I finished up bleeding the brakes and all seemed ok.

Well, this morning when I drove in to work the pedal started to pulsate and I have been getting some pulling to the right. I think the front right brake is acting up again and I'm betting I have some restriction in the ABS "pump" since I have replaced the rubber line. Can the pump be dismantled and cleaned or is there a way to make sure it is clean?

Or is the best option to get one off ebay (I have read they almost never go bad)? If ebay is the best option from what models/years?

Thanks!

Richard

[AdvisorGuy]

prime example of the reasoning for brake fluid flushes every 2 years. "Black goo " ? Sounds like pump replacement.

[babymog]

Could it be from DOT5 use?

[BlueTank]

Originally Posted by babymog

Could it be from DOT5 use?

Could be but I do not think so. The condition of the car says while it was not totally neglected, it did not receive a lot of TLC either.

Richard

[AdvisorGuy]

Brake fluid was overlooked for years and in those early ABS-equipped cars, it still was. Once the fluid gets to the "black goo" stage, you can be certain there's a $hit load of corrosion internally.

[BlueTank]

Originally Posted by AdvisorGuy

Brake fluid was overlooked for years and in those early ABS-equipped cars, it still was. Once the fluid gets to the "black goo" stage, you can be certain there's a $hit load of corrosion internally.

Does anyone know which years/models use the same ABS pump?

Once I get the turn signal stuff figured out this will be my next project and I would like to start looking now.

Richard