Do I need to bleed RABS Valve--97 ranger

bpeters2 · Aug 30, 2008

I just replaced the hard lines for the front brakes. The Hayes manual says to bleed the RABS valve using the bleeder valve. The problem is that the bleeder valve on the valve is virtually impossible to get a wrench (needs to be really big wrench too, I forgot the size). It looks like I would need a special narrow walled box end wrench. Any tips on bleeding this valve. Even more important, do I need to bleed this valve, considering I was only working on the front brakes? Thanks for the help

metalmacguyver · Aug 30, 2008

Whenever you do brake work, you should bleed all 4 corners. starting withe the one furthest away working towards the master cylinder. Pass side rear, driverside rear, pass side front, driverside front.

I dont know about the RABS valve. I have not had to bleed one before.

bpeters2 · Aug 30, 2008

Thanks for the quick reply. Have you bleed a system (with RABS) without bleeding the RABS valve? I think I may just bypass bleeding the RABS valve since it looks like a major PITA. Hopefully there is no air in it or I can bleed it out through the rear brakes.

metalmacguyver · Aug 31, 2008

I never even thought about bleading the RABS valve before. But now that you mention it, I think that may be part of why my pedal is not as firm as i would like. Up to this point I attributed it to my extended rubber brake lines expanding when stepping on the brakes.

JSTJ704 · Aug 31, 2008

I was wondering the same thing. Should it be bleed?

Derek The Great · Sep 2, 2008

I've never heard of an abs valve.. ABS sensors to me are just electronic magnets.. I jus did the brakes at all 4 corners, i bled the rear brakes b/c i replaced the wheel cylinders and i had the rear end out. but after that all i did was adjust the brakes and hook the sensor back up - no problems.

Derek The Great · Sep 2, 2008

opps, i had an ephiphony, yep theres that block-pressure pump thing. Well, as long as you didnt remove any of the lines goin in or comin outa it you should be fine.

MAKG · Sep 2, 2008

You CAN bleed an RABS valve, and you should if you have gotten air between the master and the valve. There is a bleed screw above the output (rear) line. It doesn't look like a standard bleed screw, but you use it like one.

If you are just replacing a wheel cylinder or any part of the front brakes, don't bother with the RABS valve.

However, I would recommend a thorough flush. Get a quart of brake fluid and bleed the four corners until it runs clear (not just no bubbles). THE death of RABS valves is corrosion. It's VERY common, and I sometimes wonder if all the complaints about inadequate rears might be due to that. It effectively disables the rears entirely.

rickcdewitt · Sep 3, 2008

MAKG said:
There is a bleed screw above the output (rear) line. It doesn't look like a standard bleed screw, but you use it like one.

thanks for the tip :headbang:

MAKG said:
THE death of RABS valves is corrosion. It's VERY common, and I sometimes wonder if all the complaints about inadequate rears might be due to that. It effectively disables the rears entirely.

hmm you know i remember someones sploder losing its rear brakes without him knowing for a while :icon_twisted:

.

MAKG · Sep 3, 2008

rickcdewitt said:
hmm you know i remember someones sploder losing its rear brakes without him knowing for a while.

Yup, I'm speaking from experience. It's amazing how much better the brakes work when you're using all four. It stops very, very well now.

Derek The Great · Sep 3, 2008

Not to mention that your front brakes will last longer now...

MAKG · Sep 3, 2008

Derek The Great said:
Not to mention that your front brakes will last longer now...

And the tires, and the body.

It was far too easy to lock up the fronts when the rears were inoperative. It works very nicely now.

jharward · Jul 25, 2015

Do you have a picture of the bleed screw on the RABS valve?

cvar · Aug 4, 2015

See brake line photos at http://imgur.com/a/sUnMy

Thorough discussion of RABS is at http://www.aa1car.com/library/abs_kelseyhayes_rwal.htm

The RABS is this:

Do I need to bleed RABS Valve--97 ranger

New Member

Yeah, I built that.

New Member

Yeah, I built that.

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Member

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals