YoU CAN DO THIS PRICEY JOB YOURSELF

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Member asked me how to R&R the ABS Actuator on his first generation Q so here it goes. Basic tools needed: 10 & 12mm open/boxed wrenches.10 &12mm shallow and deep sockets 1/4 & 3/8 drive These are what you can get away with! A/C system should be emptied first of all!

1.) Remove 5 hard brake lines from ABS unit using 10mm wrench 2 lines run from ABS to master cylinder, 1 line runs from ABS to left front caliper,1 line ABS to right front caliper, 1 line runs from ABS to both rear calipers 2.) Un-Bolt lower hard brake line bracket that holds 2 brake lines to ABS unit down below A/C Compressor Lines on ABS bracket.3.) Remove 12mm nut that secures A/C line to ABS bracket and move as far out your way as possible!4.) Remove ground wire 10mm from strut tower.5.) Un-plug 3 ABS harness plugs from connectors.6.) Remove 3-12mm bolts that secures ABS Unit bracket to right front engine compartment. There's 1 on strut tower 1 on inner frame rail between number 6 & 8 exhaust headers and 1 on inner fender well.7.) Now you can remove the ABS bracket and ABS Actuator from car as an unit.8.) Remove 3-12mm mounting bolts that secures ABS to mount.9.) Remove 3 connectors that are mounted onto ABS bracket.

Now your done with the removal portion of this DIY job and replacing is done in reverse order. If you try to remove the ABS Unit and leave the mount on the car that's OK too! But 2 of the rear 12mm mounting nuts that secure ABS Unit to mount are more difficult and you are more at risk to breaking 3 connectors because its tight between engine and compartment wall. After you finish installing ABS Unit and are ready to bleed brakes. Here's a little trick or solution for the people who finish bleeding brake system and brake warning light is still on. Before your final top-off of brake fluid EXHAUST your ABS Actuator by exhausting your high- pressure reservoir by applying or pumping your brake pedal 20 to 30 times this will build pressure in your ABS Unit and may cause fluid to over-flow but, this is OK! Top off fluid if necessary and enjoy your new found brake pedal pressure and no brake warning light. ABS Actuator is a very high-pressure unit and that's why most people take it to a car dealer because even after they bleed brake system ABS light is still on but, its only because unit isn't receiving enough pressure to system! Dot 3 & 4 are compatible fluids for Dot 3 systems but, PLEASE DO NOT use Dot 5 fluid in your system because it will make your seals wear faster! Dot 5 is used in race applications only! Also for those of you who have front wheel drive vehicles. Your Hydraulic system is a split system: left front and right rear and right front and left rear. Bleed from left rear to right front to right rear to left front. I wonder how many of you knew this was the proper bleeding procedure for removing air from front wheel drive cars! One last thing when installing brake pads please DO NOT use C-clamp or channel locks to push in piston this damages caliper piston! Clamp off brake hose with vise grips with a piece of old hose wrapped around brake line to prevent damage. Then open bleeder into container with tube attached and then you can compress brake caliper. This saves caliper wear and system contamination.