Question About Brake/ABS Bleeding and Flushing | FerrariChat
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Question About Brake/ABS Bleeding and Flushing

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Extreme1, Apr 23, 2025.

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  1. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,379
    Santa Clarita, CA
    #1 Extreme1, Apr 23, 2025
    So we all know that brake systems are not recirculating systems. When you push on the brake pedal the fluid pushes the brake pads, then when you release the pedal the fluid comes back.

    So my question is, with ABS and an ABS pump, how does it pump the fluid anywhere? Is it an actual pump or some type of valve? I’ve slammed on the brakes at high speed on the cars at work and the brake pedal pulsates rapidly. Is it the same on our F cars?

    The only time brake fluid is actually moving any significant distance is when the bleeder is open, so how is the fluid trapped in the ABS pump actually moving out of the pump and being replaced with fresh fluid unless the bleeder is open and the brakes are locked up?

    Anyone know?
     
  2. mikey64

    mikey64 Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 26, 2013
    527
    TN
    Full Name:
    mikey
    #2 mikey64, Apr 23, 2025
    While not a recirculating system fluid can still move through the system. There’s no guarantee that the same fluid that leaves the master is the same fluid that returns. Why else do you suppose fluid in the master gets dirty from particles or moisture working their way into the system?

    ABS has a pump and valve body. It can also be used for stability control. In most cars you can feel the brake pedal pulse when it’s activated. Fluid is drawn from the regular brake hydraulic circuit as the ABS needs to bleed of some pressure when it detects wheel lockup. It can do this by individual wheel circuits. It stores the fluid in an accumulator so that it can pump it back into the system when it’s time to restore pressure.
     

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