27 replies to this topic

[Bjørge]

I'm about to replace the ABS pump on my 2015 Ford Grand C-max. A fiddly job, but I'm giving it a try. Motvated by potentially saving ~£2500.
I'm asking you about bleeding: Normally you're bleeding by pumping, but I'm thinking - since all air is in the ABS unit - would it be a good idea to force bleed from each wheel? The ABS unit is very close to the master/reservoir. I've got a large syringe to push fluid from the blleder nipples.
Any thoughts or experience, anyone?

[Catteeclan]

I blank/block the pipes from the master cylinder when I remove the ABS units. Normally turns into a right ball ache if you get air into the master cylinder. After replacing bleed in the normal way. Keep the battery out on the Cmax so you can check for leaks with someone holding the pedal down.

[Bjørge]

Thank you, nice to have input from someone knowing this model! I'll try to blank them, got a set of little silicone plugs for this purpose. The problem is the placement - I guess using two hands is not possible...
We'll see😎

[Catteeclan]

Yes done a couple of Cmaxs. Once that battery and case are out of the way it's not so bad. Thing I took the lower screen panel out too.

I should also mention keep dirt out when take out and reassembling. Are you having your unit remanufactured?

 

Take your time like I never do and you'll fine. ​ 

[Bjørge]

No, I bought a used one, planning to swap the control unit to avoid need to reprogram. 99% sure it's a sticking valve. Thanks for good advice! I was thinking of removing the cover, but a) it could seem like it was sealed against the windshield, and b) it seemed like quite a disassembly job , like wipers off.
One more thing: I'm afraid of fucking up the nipples, thinking of heating the aluminum lump and use cooling spray on nipøles, a good idea?

Take your time like I never do and you'll fine. ​ 

Yeah, I'm telling myself I've done harder stuff😎

[Catteeclan]

Wipers come off with a wiggle and never had a prob with the plastic panels, all slots together. Try whatever you've had best results with for the nipples. Fronts are normally ok apart from corrosion, should be 9mm, rears into the alloy body will be trouble if you're not a regular fluid changer so heat and freeze and let us know how that goes. Single hex spanners or sockets are your friend.

[Bjørge]

Right to the point   - Thanks again! 

[Bjørge]

Success with the lower screen panel, huge improvement regards to accessibility😀
Brake lines are hard to get to, making a custom tool by welding a piece of a 1/4" extension to a 13mm high quality socket and cut out for the brake line.
Bad news is that someone has been here before me...😶

Thanks to you I'm more confident, Cattleclean!

[Catteeclan]

Success with the lower screen panel, huge improvement regards to accessibility
Brake lines are hard to get to, making a custom tool by welding a piece of a 1/4" extension to a 13mm high quality socket and cut out for the brake line.
Bad news is that someone has been here before me...

Thanks to you I'm more confident, Cattleclean!

Very welcome

[Bjørge]

The old pump is out - a fiddly job but doable. Excited about bleeding and of course if problem will be solved😱

[Bjørge]

Struggeling with entering fittings in new ABS unit - dead scared of fucking up threads😐. Need to get some fittings to verify threads are actually ok and the right pitch....
The big problem is entering threads with barely one hand and no visual guidance...buried deep inside the engine bay

Edited by Bjørge, 20 January 2026 - 03:30 pm.

[Catteeclan]

Start them all before bolting the unit down, they can be an arse with the fine threads.
Why only one hand, you got the battery box out the way?

[Bjørge]

Yup, battery box out. I've got big fat hands😎. Just to be sure threads are identical, I've just made a thread tester - a 12mm threaded plastic rod. 10mm holes are standard M10x1.5 (hence, a bolt does the trick), the 12mms are also 1.5 threads. Regular M12 is 1.75. I'll do the test tomorrow before any new attempts. Screwing up brake line fitting threads would be a nightmare.
Useful tip to enter threads before fixating the unit! Thanks!
Also, being -2 degrees here, I think of heating the unit to expand holes slightly.

Edited by Bjørge, 20 January 2026 - 07:10 pm.

[Catteeclan]

Gone quiet here. How's it going?

[dapleb]

He's stuck in the enjun bay. My guess is licked a metal component at minus 2 degC. Good luck Bjorgey.

[Bjørge]

He's stuck in the enjun bay. My guess is licked a metal component at minus 2 degC. Good luck Bjorgey.

Thanks! Minus 5 now, but heating up rapidly when working😎. Havent started licking, more likely when bleedingcthe system. Remember on my MkI, resorted to sucking brake fluid when nothing else did the trick. It worked, but food & beer tasted oddly for a few days😄

Gone quiet here. How's it going?

Just got them all fitted😎. Only thing left is torquing 5 of 6 fittings, it's so damned tight... made a coupla tools for trying tomorrow:

[Bjørge]

Well, now it happened to me - not allowing uploads now....

Edited by Bjørge, 24 January 2026 - 07:36 pm.

[laughin in a windstorm]

I heard if you get addicted to brake fluid it's easy to stop

[Catteeclan]

I heard if you get addicted to brake fluid it's easy to stop

Nooooooooooooo

[Bjørge]

5 of 6 ok, making tool for the 6th😎