ABS Fluid Change?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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ABS Fluid Change?
1998 Explorer Sport w/45k miles. I want to change brake fluid. I have played with Fords for more years than I care to admit but never messed with ABS. Anything to watch out for in bleeding the system? Is this something best left to the "experts". I am quite reluctant to let anyone do routine maint. as I can relate some horror stories.
ray
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
ABS Fluid Change?
Hi 2ndoldogy and welcome to FTE 
The shop manual says that you need to use the NGS scan tool when bleeding the brakes. Basically it opens up the ports in the Hydraulic Control Unit to allow the fluid to run through.
Looks like you might end up taking it in to get it done
The shop manual says that you need to use the NGS scan tool when bleeding the brakes. Basically it opens up the ports in the Hydraulic Control Unit to allow the fluid to run through.
Looks like you might end up taking it in to get it done
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
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ABS Fluid Change?
I hate to have anything I own in the shop. Just don't trust anyone to do it right but myself (plus if I screw it up I have no one to blame but myself). Does the 1996 X w/ ABS need to be changed at a shop as well? I bought this one used (110000 mi) and changing the fluid was on my list, but unfortunately the bleeder valves on the calipers are frozen. They don't appear to be rusted, so it looks like someone (probably a quickie-lube flunkie) overtorqued them. I left well enough alone. Can they change the fluid w/o using the bleeder valves?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
ABS Fluid Change?
No, the bleeder screws will have to be removed to change the fluid. Sometimes a bit of heat on the caliper next to the bleeder will allow you to loosen it.
I believe the 96 is the same as the 98 as far as procedure.
I believe the 96 is the same as the 98 as far as procedure.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Canaan, CT
ABS Fluid Change?
When i change my brake fluid I usually let gravity do the work for me. I take a paper towel and soak up fluid from the resivor until it's allmost empty. I then fill it with fresh fluid and open up one bleed screw at a time while keeping an eye on the resivor and filling it constantly until I feel i'm done. I buy the large brake fluid container. I waste alot of fluid and I'm sure there are better ways but I do this about every 30,000 miles and I have no problems. If the bleed screw is frozen on I would spray NON FLAMABLE penetrating lube on it and heat it up a bit. With a deep socket I would then take it off. If your scared your gonna break it you can losen the brake line, and bleed from there.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
ABS Fluid Change?
PrPlayboy what type of vehicle do you have? Does it have 4 wheel ABS?
Gravity bleeding is a good way to do it but it does use a lot of fluid. Usually if you bleed it at the brake line you'll still be left with a bit of air in the caliper but sometimes you can unbolt the caliper and make sure that the line in is the highest spot on the caliper so you get more air out.
Gravity bleeding is a good way to do it but it does use a lot of fluid. Usually if you bleed it at the brake line you'll still be left with a bit of air in the caliper but sometimes you can unbolt the caliper and make sure that the line in is the highest spot on the caliper so you get more air out.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Canaan, CT
ABS Fluid Change?
I just got a 03 EB explorer, but I traded in an Escape with 35,000 miles and I did the brakes at 30,000 changing the fluid also. To the best of my knowledge ABS has nothing to do with brake fluid. I could be wrong tho. I have never had a problem doing a fluid change with any of my cars. In doing a brake job or fluid change you don't get air into the system.When I change my brakes I don't bleed cause nothing is open to get air in. Doing a fliud change I have a bleed screw open but gravity is pulling the fluid out.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
ABS Fluid Change?
Changing the brake fluid in an Escape with ABS is the same as any vehicle without ABS. You don't need to do anything special. Not all vehicles with ABS require special tools and procedures to bleed. I wish none of them did but I guess that's technology for you.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Canaan, CT
ABS Fluid Change?
So are you saying the a fluid change requires the system to bed bled? Ant the Explorers need a special tool to bleed the system? I might pull the wheel off this week end and see what the system looks like. This is my second Ford the Escape being the first. If there is a special tool I sure will be getting one cause I hate having the dealer do things. Ive been doing my own work since my first car and I have worked on my past 3 bikes. Shoot I dont even bring my dog to the vet.....lol
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
ABS Fluid Change?
Yes a special tool is required to bleed the brakes. You need a scanner with the right adapter and that's probably not a thing you'll want to buy after you price one out
You can go ahead and try changing the fluid though.....never can tell....it might work without the scanner but the manual says you need it.
You can go ahead and try changing the fluid though.....never can tell....it might work without the scanner but the manual says you need it.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Kelseyville, CA
ABS Fluid Change?
The reason that the scanner is required for the Explorer is to eliminate the possibility of getting air in the lines after the ABS solenoids. Once you get air past them, the only way to get it out is with the NGS testor that Dave mentions. It is possible to bleed the 4WABS brakes on the explorer, however great care must be used to ensure that the reservoire doesn't run empty allowing air into the system. If that happens, you will likely have to have your Explorer towed to a shop to be properly bled since your brakes will be inoperable. If you do it carefully though it can be done in your driveway with standard hand tools. I have not attempted this and instead just suck several ounces of brake fluid out whenever I change my pads. I'm currently at 103,000 miles and my brakes still work like new and my fluid is still clear in the reservoire. I have no idea what it looks like in the lines though. Sometime in the near future though, I will probably let a little fluid out of the lines and fill up the reservoire with new fluid.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Canaan, CT
ABS Fluid Change?
I'm thinking the way I do a fluid change I shouldn't need the scanner. I take only about 3/4 of the fluid out of the resivour and fill it with fresh fluid then gravity bleed the lines with is really not bleeding them but just letting the old fluid out while keeping an eye on the resivor. Is there a special tool to get to the bleed screw? I have a 03 explorer.