Brake bleeding sequence confusion - little help please!

[mrnice]

Howdy, so I replaced a rear brake line that had ruptured last night,
lots of brake fluid loss so obviously I'm bleeding clutch then brakes
to be safe.
On every other car that I've worked on bleeding sequence is the conventional furthest caliper from master cylinder working back to closest but I've read on the web people both confirming this and suggesting left front, right front, left rear, right rear instead.
Which is right?, and if its not the conventional sequence does anyone know why?, to do with abs system?,
any thoughts appreciated, especially a definitive answer as I could do with getting the car back on the ground tonight!
cheers!

[ceilidhalfie]

Howdy, so I replaced a rear brake line that had ruptured last night,
lots of brake fluid loss so obviously I'm bleeding clutch then brakes
to be safe.
On every other car that I've worked on bleeding sequence is the conventional furthest caliper from master cylinder working back to closest but I've read on the web people both confirming this and suggesting left front, right front, left rear, right rear instead.
Which is right?, and if its not the conventional sequence does anyone know why?, to do with abs system?,
any thoughts appreciated, especially a definitive answer as I could do with getting the car back on the ground tonight!
cheers!

Hi - had the same confusion! I have just checked again for you and, ELSAWIN says:

IF CHANGING BRAKE FLIID: As YOU say, LF, RF, LR, RR (This is procedure I have used for last 6 years)

BUT...

IF BLEEDING BRAKES: RF, LF, RR, LR

Ours is not to reason why.....!

[mrnice]

There's so many differing opinions on this it almost seems that it'll work both ways but better one way. Seems to be the Audi techs/aficionados saying the unconventional method is the way to go, and being an Audi that doesn't surprise me so I'll just go that way..

[mrnice]

Hi - had the same confusion! I have just checked again for you and, ELSAWIN says:

IF CHANGING BRAKE FLIID: As YOU say, LF, RF, LR, RR (This is procedure I have used for last 6 years)

BUT...

IF BLEEDING BRAKES: RF, LF, RR, LR

Ours is not to reason why.....!

Thanks!, if someone savvy has done it and it worked that's good enough for me, there was fluid loss but the res didn't run out, at least this'll be my brake fluid changed I guess!

[ceilidhalfie]

There's so many differing opinions on this it almost seems that it'll work both ways but better one way. Seems to be the Audi techs/aficionados saying the unconventional method is the way to go, and being an Audi that doesn't surprise me so I'll just go that way..

I would not be too concerned. Go with one way - if it works you will have stiff brakes, if not they will be spongy and you will have to bleed again - THE OTHER WAY!

[ceilidhalfie]

Thanks!, if someone savvy has done it and it worked that's good enough for me, there was fluid loss but the res didn't run out, at least this'll be my brake fluid changed I guess!

Forgot to add - make sure you use a quality fluid. I once bought cheapo Hafords stuff and had to redo after a month!

[Peter D]

It depends on which version of ESP you have 5.3 or 5.7 You tell us. You may need VCDS to bleed the ESP/ABS pump. Regards Peter

[mrnice]

I have no clue Peter, how do I find out?.
I've made the assumption that since the fluid didn't go below min on the res that
I didn't need to touch abs.
For the record it says Bosch on the unit along with several different long numbers.

I'll soon see how it's all working I guess.

[ceilidhalfie]

I have no clue Peter, how do I find out?.
I've made the assumption that since the fluid didn't go below min on the res that
I didn't need to touch abs.
For the record it says Bosch on the unit along with several different long numbers.

I'll soon see how it's all working I guess.

If you have VCDS, run a scan. When it comes to the ABS Brakes control module, VCDS shows the ESP version right at the top of the display.
What Peter means is if it is ESP 5.3, you have the pump which may need bleeding (via VCDS). This is not a issue with ESP 5.7 as there is no pump.

[mrnice]

I get it, thanks for that, I only have VCDS lite so not sure i'd be able to do the abs bleeding anyhow. Haven't found where it refers to either esp 5.3 or 5.7 tho,

This is what I'm getting for auto-scan and abs brakes module-

[/URL]

[/URL]

Please excuse my general ignorance, still new to 'modern' motoring and this is the first diagnostic software I've used.

Many thanks for the replies