Bleed Test????????

[maxfrankel]

The 6K service on a 12RT calls for a "bleed test" in addition to replacing the wheel circuit brake fluid. Questions:

1) So what is the "bleed test"?

2) Am I correct in assuming that the wheel circuit fluid replacement does NOT require gaining access to the ABS unit under the tank?

Max

[Jim VonBaden]

The 6K service on a 12RT calls for a "bleed test" in addition to replacing the wheel circuit brake fluid. Questions:

1) So what is the "bleed test"?

2) Am I correct in assuming that the wheel circuit fluid replacement does NOT require gaining access to the ABS unit under the tank?

Max

 

A couple clarifications.

 

The brake flush is not due for a minimum of two years on your bike per BMW. The wheel cylinders are due every two years, and the control circuits every 4 years. This is for servo brakes only. Newer, non-servo, models are every two years for the flush.

 

The "bleed test" does nothing but confirm you have proper pressure in your brakes. You can accomplish nearly the same thing by riding it and confirming the brakes act normally. Not an issue if you have not done the flush.

 

Just my opinion, and sure to be contested by someone.

 

Jim

[CoarsegoldKid]

You have to take all the plastic off and the tank(if memory serves) down to the frame rails to accomplish the brake bleed wheel circuits on ABS servo models. It's weird, I know, but hey the salesperson didn't tell me that when I bought the beast. On the up side it's not that big of a deal. Just takes several hours of your once every two years service day. Non-servo models I'm not so sure. May as well replace all the fluids while you're there.

[Ken H.]

The dealer puts the bike on their GT-1 diagnostic unit, which accesses the ABS module and through a series of test steps it measures various pressure differentials to confirm there is no air in the system. And other various parameters.

[maxfrankel]

Jim,

According to the Maintenance Schedule I have for a 2006 R12RT (servo), 1) the wheel circuit brake fluid is supposed to be changed every 20KM or annually, and 2)the "entire Integral ABS control circuit" every 2 years.

[Ken H.]

Jim,

According to the Maintenance Schedule I have for a 2006 R12RT (servo), 1) the wheel circuit brake fluid is supposed to be changed every 20KM or annually, and 2)the "entire Integral ABS control circuit" every 2 years.

That's true as your manual was printed, but BMW has since amended it to 2 & 4 years. Retroactively.