Bled the brakes before a pad slap?

[SC Maintenance]

Was doing a pad slap on the front brakes. So decided I would bleed the front brakes first - so when I compressed the calipers I didn't push all that old gunky fluid into the ABS control valves. Only added like a minute to each side with the wheel already off.

Bled them after as well.

Anyone else do this?

 

[The Critic]

I always bleed after for optimal pedal feel, never know who was in there before you. I don't personally see a point of opening the bleeder valve, there isn't enough fluid movement to cause trouble anyway IMO.

 

[Urshurak776]

I open the valve and put a tube on, then press caliper piston back. @The Critic is right, it isn't much fluid, but I would still rather not push it back into system.

 

[BHopkins]

I've never done a brake fluid bleed at the same time as a brake pad change. But I follow your reasoning, and it makes sense. The brake fluid right behind the brake piston is always the nastiest, since it gets more contamination.

 

[TnT_M]

never done it before the pad and rotor change, I do it after. I drain the reservoir first then pump new fluid through the system from a re-filled reservoir. I start at the RR and then LR, RF, LF. Furthest from master cylinder first. Flush until fluid runs the same color as the new stuff.

I use an old peanut jar and a clear plastic hose to avoid getting air into the system from the bleeder screw. Works like a charm.

 

[spasm3]

I always open the bleeders, to compress the caliper. Then i let them drip onto a pizza box , or cardboard box. Slow way of flushing the older fluid out. When done, i burn the boxes.

 

[PandaBear]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I change brake fluid whenever I feel it being mushy and brake pads when it runs thin. If you do them frequently enough it doesn't make a difference to me.

 

[JohnnyG]

Sounds like a great idea to me!
I always open the bleeder before retracting the pistons too, no need to force that crud back toward the reservoir.
Then, bleed after and you're good.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I do it after the pads, not before.