"BMW X5 - How to Bleed Antilock Brakes"

By Ron Stultz

2 May 2011

Summary: 2 person method has one pushing down hard on brake pedal (engine not running) while other opens bleed valve on caliper. Requires removal of tires. BMW X5, model year 2000, takes DOT 4 brake fluid.

Background:

BMW X5.

Model year: 2000

New rotors and calipers installed by owner.

How to bleed antilock brakes:

1. On flat, hard, surface, turn steering wheel inward for side to be worked on..

2. Shut down engine and leave it off.

3. Pull handbrake.

4. Check brake reservoir and make sure it is full (at or near, upper mark on reservoir container).

5. If brake reservoir not full, fill with new, fresh, DOT 4 brake fluid. (DOT 4 for model year 2000 X5.)

6. Jack up car on side to be bled.

7. Remove tire

8. Find correct bleed valve wrench size. Could be 7 - 10 millimeter (mm).

9. Turning counterclockwise on bleed valve, crack it open.

10. Close bleed valve but do not tighten down.

11. Second person gets into X5.

12. Second person pushes down slowly and hard on brake pedal.

13. Second person releases brake pedal.

14. Second person slowly pushes brake pedal down and then holds it, pushing hard.

15. Second person is told to continue to push down brake pedal until you say otherwise.

16. Bleed valve is then opened quickly and a stream of brake fluid allowed to shoot out.

17. Bleed valve is closed but not tightened down.

18. Second on brake pedal is told to release pedal.

19. Check brake reservoir, If reservoir not full to mark on side, fill it.

20. Second is told to push brake pedal down slowly and hold it down until told to do otherwise.

21. Brake bleed valve is opened quickly again, releasing another stream of fluid.

22. Bleed valve is closed again and second told to let off of brake pedal.

23. If last gush of fluid from bleed valve is a good solid stream with no spits or air pops, you are done on the one side. Tighten the bleed valve down tight.

24. Repeat brake pedal compress, bleed valve open, as needed until you get a nice, nothing but fluid, fluid gush at bleed valve opening.

25. Clean up all brake fluid and wipe down caliper.

26. Remount wheel, lower car from jack and move to to the other side and repeat above.