No fluid coming out of caliper?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 BMW 535I
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I suspect the previous owner changed the rotor and maybe the caliper on that side thinking it was the issue. But whenever I opened the bleed bolt on the caliper nothing came out. I opened the 10 mm line where the caliper hose connects to main one and nothing came out when I pressed on the brake. While in the air if I press the brake the wheel doesn't stop, no wonder why it pulls to the right when I brake the whole driving. The last picture us for the caliper from the other side. I can't tell if the caliper is new on the side with the issue, but I tried to press it back I faced resistance and stopped after I pushed it just a bit.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 6:45 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,846 POSTS
I opened the lines from above and below this bracket all but one have fluid coming out, none from the last one neither from above it nor below it. Possibly the ABS module.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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I activated the pump as in to bleed it via the scabber, every wheel except the front left has made a noise while the ABS was pumping.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,583 POSTS
Well, it won't be the master cylinder as it feeds both front brakes and one works. So, it's either the ABS module or the line is blocked. I would probably go to the ABS unit, disconnect the line and see if you can push air through it. If the lines are clear, then I would test the ABS unit and hope it's something simple as those units are expensive.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,846 POSTS
I also pushed air from where the caliper line becomes metal to the bracket before the abs and it's clear. I am removing the abs pump assembly; they are $50 used so I will swap it and code it and also flush the line like you mentioned. The fact that all sides respond to the scanner except this one tells me it may be in the ABS module.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,583 POSTS
That's a big discount from the new list price.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2025 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,846 POSTS
Installed it and now fluid coming out. Using the scanner to bleed the brakes is a bit complicated due to the English language used which is confusing, I used another scanner and its same thing. Only issue am still having is the pedal is a bit spongy still after the bleeding and that one of the front wheels, not the one that had issues, keeps giving out foamy fluid every time I bleed it, the other 3 are clear fluid with no bubbles, any suggestions?
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 AT 5:29 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,583 POSTS
Have you got a power bleeder? If yes use it and force the fluid through the system. Start at the right rear, then left rear, then right front and finally left front. If you have the 6 piston calipers you bleed the outside first, then the inner. BMW specs a power bleeder for these because they tend to hold air.
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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No not the 6 piston. I have a bleeder coming, the one you attach to the master cylinder to see if it will make a difference.
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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It should make a difference. They tend to push out air faster.
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Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 AT 9:53 PM

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