How long are SS brake lines?

[MSHardeman]

Just a word to the wise (or in my case not so wise). After trying to bleed the brakes for a day and a half by myself I finally took it to a mechanic and he found out, from Isuzu, that the engine must be running during the bleed. From what he tells me, the ABS module runs dry, and with out the engine running it doesn't push fluid into the module so you will never get all of the air out (my case). With the engine running, it some how takes the ABS module into account and forces fluid through it, thus getting all of the air out.

[twistedsymphony]

That's somewhat of a scary prospect... the ABS shouldn't have that much control over your brakes...

[So-CalVX]

haha... my ABS has no control...

[twistedsymphony]

OK... so I took a few minutes to browse the brake section of the factory service manual...

here is what I learned:

1. the reason the engine has to be running is because of POWER ASSISTED BRAKES not because of ABS, this means your engine helps provide braking assistance, the brakes will work without assistance from the engine but you cannot create a complete drain without the system being active.

2. the service manual takes every opportunity possible to tell you that it's important to completely flush the brake fluid if you are to replace any part of the hydraulic system...

3. If you are bleeding the system there is a specific order in which you must bleed the brakes to ensure that the system is properly free of air. (1. Master Cylinder 2. Right Rear 3. Left Rear 4. Right Front 5. Left Front)

4. You may need to repeat the bleeding process as many as 10 time for front calipers and 15 times for rear calipers to achieve a complete bleed

... this is why I always pickup a FSM whenever I get a new vehicle