Brake bleeding question - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

I found something interesting as I scanned my Bently service manual. It says cars that have PSM or ABS/TC 5.3 should connect a PST 2 system while bleeding the brakes. My car doesn't have PSM so I dodged that hassle, but what is ABS/TC 5.3 and how does it differ from basic ABS 5.3? How do I know which ABS system I have? If I don't have PSM, then do I have the basic ABS system? Tool pants?

Looks like T/C means traction control and I dont know what "tool pants" means.

Tool Pants is the screen name for the "old man on the hill". If you come to the forum with a goat, 3 bags of rice and a young virgin for trade, he will give you a taste of his infinite Porsche wisdom. For one more goat, he will post pictures of odd things he does to his porsche such as putting peanut oil in the oil resevoir.

Hope his wife doesn't find out about all those young virgins. Or the goats for that matter.

bbbaaaaaahhhhhh (Goat sound for all who were wondering).

bump...........

Skip the goats and bags of rice. A virgin will do. Traction control was an option 1997-2000 and replaced by the optional PSM 2001-2004. Both have a dash switch to turn it off. No switch then all you have is the standard ABS, no PSM and a 2003 will not have traction control. There are 2 types of ABS control units. With and without traction control. We bleed brakes all the time without a PST2/PIWIS, the diagnostic computer. With a PST2 you can open the valves in the control unit. You do not need to do this unless you have replaced the unit and/or there is air in it. How about brake fluid in a beer bottle?

Thanks for responding Tool pants. I figured as much, but better to be sure than have any surprises right in the middle of a job.

Does a fine stout or cream ale work the best?

Going to bleed the brakes tonight got the motive pressure bleeder and tubing getting the fluid today. I have the back tires off already on stands. I see there are two bleeders one in front one in the back. I see in the Pic from Toolpants that hes bleeding from the back Do you need to do both??? Thanks in advance....

Hi, You need to start in the rear (farthest Caliper from the Master) and work in sequence forward, so RR, LR, RF, LF. Be sure to allow at least a cup of fluid to run from each Caliper to insure you're getting all the air bubbles and old Fluid out. Also, Bleed the Clutch in the same manner because you already have the Power Bleeder filled and attached - 85% there already. Since the two systems share the same Fluid Reservoir, if you don't flush the Clutch Hydraulics at the same time, you will contaminate your nice new fluid. Hope this helps... Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Sorry Should have given more detail there are two bleeders at each caliper do I need to do both or just the back.

Hi, I was not aware that there are two Bleed Valves on each Caliper. Are you certain? It's the first I've heard of it. Is this a Big Brake feature? If indeed there are two Bleed Valves, then I suspect you need to bleed them both. Hope this helps... Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Yes, there are definitely two bleeders per wheel, even without Big Reds. You bleed both. I don't have the instructions handy, but I believe it is the same sequence mentioned above and then for a given wheel bleed inboard first then outboard bleeder.

This might help you... http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/brakes/bleed_and_flush/

THANKS ALL!!!!! I Did it tonight and Bleed both as in link. First Time using the Power Bleeder and WOW does that make the job easy and one man. Well on to the fuel filter and all my pm's are done. :dance:

Any one have a good link for knowing how to or what is involved in flushing the clutch fluid??? Is it absolutely necessary and will the old fluid in the clutch comtaminate the fresh fluid in the brakelines?? Also, how much brake fluid will I need to do a complete flush of the brakes only?? Thanks in advanced! Jeff.

Hey bringing this topic back up.... I'm new to all this & also noted in the Bentley Service Manual that the PST2 is required to bleed brakes on my boxster s with PSM. Does anyone know if you can just turn off the PSM & do it the old way?? I think i read somewhere that even if you turn off PSM it is still on automatically until a certain speed?!? Thanks in advance, Matt

Hey; while this topic is being slightly revived, I just replaced my brake booster, and had to remove the ABS unit to pull the rusty (internally) booster out. I now need to bleed the ABS and brakes and understand bleeding the brakes, but not the ABS. How should I proceed?

You need access to a PST II/PIWIS/Durametric system to cycle the ABS system while bleeding it. Those three systems are the only ones kown to be able to do this....................