Hi guys, posted this in the SL forum but I don't think there is much traffic there. My question is bleeding the brakes on my sl - the manuals describe this automated procedure with the HHT, but can I just do a normal two person bleed on this car? I assume so, but wanted to double check. Thanks

If you need to BLEED air from the brakes you can always try it, but sometimes it is very difficult or impossible with some ABS systems. If on the other hand you are FLUSHING the brakes to get in fresh fluid, then there will be no problem with doing a properly executed good old fashioned two man bleeding procedure. Sometimes you have to do this with the engine running so that the booster is in operation.

Good luck,

What is HHT? I have used vacuum and pressure bleeders (which I prefer to the two-person method).

__________________
Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si

HHT=hand held tester. Apparently there is a way to hook up a bunch of stuff and have the HHT automate the bleed/flush process. Naturally that equipment is prohibitively expensive.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to do a complete flush with some valvoline synth.

what the FSM is talking about is purging AIR from the brake system. To do that one MUST actuate the ABS/TCS systems while pushing new fluid through from the M/C.

Replacing th eold fluid is a simple job though--'one-man' bleeder kits work great--you start by sucking all th eold fluid from th eMC--all you can get out anyway--you can even loosen the brake line fittings on the M/C to drain the reservoir more fully--just don't drain it all or air will get sucked into the M/C proper.

Fill with new fluid then go to right rear--attach the 'one man bleeder' to the caliper vent screw with the furnishe dflex hose and stick the littl ebottle on the nearest magnetic spot. return to driver seat and pump the pedal all the way down 6-8 times (until the bottle is full)--empty it, repeat the slow pumping until clean new fluid is evident. repeat on other wheel then left rear, right front, left front, ABS pump--every where there is a vent bleeder.

I use Pentosin Blue one year, yellow the next.

What is the difference between purging air from the system and bleeding?