# Abs pad change

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 30, 2008, 12:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163 "2008-09-30T12:16:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163/1 "2008-09-30T12:16:09Z")

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Anything special to know when changing brake pads (front) on a car with ABS? Seems simple as without ABS . . . am I missing something? Rocketman (vehicle is my 2004 Mazda RX-8, appx 45,000 miles).

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163/2 "2008-09-30T12:22:27Z")

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Before forcing the pistons back into the calipers, open the bleed screws. This prevents the brake fluid from being forced back up into the ABS pump where it can cause problems.

After completing the brake job, check the brake fluid level.

Tester

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163/3 "2008-09-30T12:22:40Z")

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When pushing the caliper pistons back into the caliper’s, open the bleed port at the caliper rather than pushing the fluid back into the ABS pump and master cyl.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163/4 "2008-09-30T12:34:52Z")

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> Before forcing the pistons back into the calipers, open the bleed screws. This prevents the brake fluid from being forced back up into the ABS pump where it can cause problems.

Good advise even for NON abs brakes.

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**Author:** ![rocketman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@rocketman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rocketman)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-pad-change/20163/5 "2008-09-30T15:11:40Z")

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Thanks folks! I’ll do exactly that when I do the replacement. Rocketman