changing brake pads on a car with ABS

[newtohobby]

ok I've read many stories that when changing the brake pads you must bleed the brakes while pushing back the caliper piston back in. I read that if you don't, then it will damage the abs system. I also read that you just do it the same way as a car with no ABS. Thanks

 

[figjam99]

No need to change the way you collapse the calipers. It is recommended to bleed the brake fluid from the calipers to remove any contamination that may get past the seals such as brake dust or dirt. The ABS system at the calipers only consists of the wheel speed sensors, the hydraulic modulation is done by the ABS controller closer to the master cylinder.

 

[james t kirk]

Just change the pads as normal.

It's probably a good idea to replace the brake fluid every 4 years or so because brake fluid absorbs moisture and will cause corrosion in the system if left unattended to.

Remember if bleeding brakes, there is an order to it

Wheel furthest away from Master Cylinder
Wheel second furthest away from Master Cylinder
Wheel third furthest away
Wheel closest

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I do all minor maintenance work on my car, I do the ABS brakes the same way as on the old non ABS brakes. I bought a shop manual and that is the procedure is suggested. The brake fluid in my car is synthetic and does not suck up humidity like the old stuff. I am not sure but I think many manufacturers have gone with the synthetic brake fluid.

 

[poorboy]

I've never met anyone who had an ABS system being damaged from pushing back the caliper. As others have suggested, replace as per normal. Just make sure you don't do a really hack job and damage an ABS wire going to the hub sensor and you should be fine. Youtube is a great resource these days. Sometimes you can find your exact make and model.

As far as the advice on bleeding the brakes, you have to be careful. In the old days, anybody could bleed the brakes on the car, but nowdays, some of the ABS systems have such tiny orifices, even a small bubble can cause you a lot of grief if it gets into the ABS unit. Some newer cars need to have their brake fluid flushed under pressure to ensure there are no bubbles.

Check the type of brake fluid you have, and if it's the run of the mill Dot 3 that absorbs water, you may be better off just siphoning out as much of the fluid you can from the reservoir and filling it up with new fluid. Do this a couple of times, and you'll get most of the old fluid. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Then there's the whole bleed valve issue. Some of them rust into place from the Ontario winters and you need a torch to heat them up to get them moving. If you snap it off taking it out, you'll have brake fluid leaking everywhere and you'll be left having to tap out the old valve and inserting a new one!

Be careful not to get brake fluid on your paint. Dot 3 brake fluid is corrosive. Have a spray bottle of water handy to neutralize the fluid if you get it on your paint.