For typical brake maintenance on Ford vehicles, standard bleeding methods often suffice, as detailed in numerous guides. Generally, unless the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) has been compromised, air intrusion is unlikely, making ABS bleeding with a specialized scan tool unnecessary. Routine brake work at the wheels and regular brake fluid changes can typically be done effectively without needing to bleed the ABS module using advanced tools.
However, some technicians and DIY enthusiasts prefer to bleed the ABS system regardless, as a precautionary measure.
It’s important to note that Ford trucks manufactured between ’99 and ’03 were equipped with two distinct ABS types: RWABS (Rear Wheel Anti-lock Brake System), which provides anti-lock functionality only to the rear wheels, and 4WABS (Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake System). Despite being marketed as four-wheel ABS, the 4WABS system often operated with just 3 channels.
Production dates also introduce variations in these systems. A significant change occurred around November 30, 2000, creating a service distinction between ABS systems in trucks built before and after this date. An earlier brake system transition happened in February 1999. While the specifics from two decades past might be vague, for basic ABS bleeding, these production differences are less critical than when replacing system components. However, awareness of RABS versus 4WABS is helpful for technicians to address potential questions about procedure applicability.
To effectively bleed Ford ABS brakes, professional-grade scan tools like the Hickok Instruments New Generation Star (NGS) Ford factory scan tool are invaluable. Using such a tool removes much of the guesswork from the bleeding process. The NGS tool provides step-by-step instructions, indicating when to apply and release the brake pedal, and it directly commands the ABS valves to open and activates the ABS pump. If software solutions like ForScan have successfully replicated the factory-level service codes and protocols of tools like the NGS, then these more affordable options could potentially offer similar ABS bleeding capabilities, once exclusive to expensive dealership equipment.
