Changing Brake Pads

[jess7977]

Im going to change my brakes on my truck for the first time. I have done many brake jobs before, but not on an abs equipped vehicle. I know you compress the caliper with a c-clamp, but my question is do you have to take special precautions with the abs system? I have a haynes repair manual, and it says to take the bleeder screw out before you use a c-clamp. I also have access to alldata, but it does not say anything about removing the bleeder screws, just to remove about 3/4 of the brake fluid out of the master cylinder. I am guessing its not a good idea to shove the old brake fluid up through the abs module.

 

How do you guys change your brake pads on your abs trucks? Im thinking I just compress the caliper and let the fluid go back up to the master cylinder, am I right, or is this the wrong way to do it? Thanks for your help in advance.

[Bish]

Im going to change my brakes on my truck for the first time. I have done many brake jobs before, but not on an abs equipped vehicle. I know you compress the caliper with a c-clamp, but my question is do you have to take special precautions with the abs system? I have a haynes repair manual, and it says to take the bleeder screw out before you use a c-clamp. I also have access to alldata, but it does not say anything about removing the bleeder screws, just to remove about 3/4 of the brake fluid out of the master cylinder. I am guessing its not a good idea to shove the old brake fluid up through the abs module.

 

How do you guys change your brake pads on your abs trucks? Im thinking I just compress the caliper and let the fluid go back up to the master cylinder, am I right, or is this the wrong way to do it? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

 

I would add that you make sure to crack the bleeder when you compress the caliper so you don't force rust back into the abs circuit as it can damage the system. I also flush the brake fluid every year. In ABS to really flush you need a Tech II to open the abs circuit. I do a flush then hit the brakes hard on a dirt road for a few seconds then I flush again. Brake fluid will absorb water over the year and reduce braking ability. Plus waster and steel brake lines are not a good combination.

 

Also make sure you pull the calipers and clean and grease the caliper slides. They are the pins that the caliper rides on.

[redvett]

The service manual says to flush the entire system prior to doing a brake job so the contaminated fluid isn't pushed into the ABS module. Failure to do so may cause module failure.

[95Sierra2500]

Hmmm. Never done it that way. In fact, I've never bled brakes unless I've replaced a component in it. Haven't had a ABS module failure yet.

[Mikeee]

There are other thread here that talk about "bleeding".

 

I never send the fluid backwards.

I attach my econ bleeder bottle to the bleed screw and open that screw and then push back the piston. The fluid goes into the bottle. No air is allowed back in to the caliper. Kinda like a mini fluid flush.

 

I usually get a new bushing & o-ring kit and clean everything and lube everything. When I'm done, that caliper slides easily like it's on goose poop. Also apply the anti-squeeeeeeel stuff to everything that the pad touches.

 

My 3¢ USD (I'm smarter than 50% of the American population)