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I have searched and there isn’t a post that I could find that show how to change out the front brake pads on a 13 w abs.
Is it easy? Do I need to bleed the brakes? Does anyone have a service manual they would be willing to scan and send me the relevant pages?
Thanks so much!
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Changing brake pads does not require you to bleed the system, but as you push the pistons back into their bores, you need to be careful to not allow the brake fluid to overflow in the reservoir (master cylinder). I have a factory service manual but am hesitant to scan and post the pages in fear of violating copywrite laws, which I respect. Someone else will chime in and give you what you need.
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Changing brake pads is generally easy, with the abs version you have either 3 pistons on one side of the brake housing
or the standard two piston caliper.
The two piston caliper is the same as the non abs version and looks like this;
To replace the pads you unscrew the two special bolts with a 5 mm. allen hex wrench, take the spring plate off, slide the old pads out through the top and clean the dust off the pistons before pushing them back into the housing.
Then push all four pistons back in to the housing to make room for the thicker new pads.
Insert the new pads, push the bolts back in to hold the new pads in place without screwing them in and pump the handle to press the new pads in place, if you hold the pads in place it will be easyer to put the springplate back with the arrow pointing up, when i put the spring plate back i usually put the bottom bolt in first because it goes in easyer.
this is how the pads sit in the brake housing and how the bolts support them;
I use a little grease on the threaded part of the bolts to keep any oxidation at bay and if all looks right and the brake works and releases ok it is time to tighten the two bolts with the 5 mm. allen key, no need to over do it, just a firm fit so they won't undo themselves.
You always have the other brake caliper as an example to see if things are the right way round, one at a time .
If this sounds too complicated it may be wise to seek some help from someone who has done it before.
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I use blue locktite instead of grease on these two bolts that keep the pads in.
Also, while you have your hands dirty, why not change and bleed the brakes? On a ‘13 abs it’s no harder than the non abs and brake fluid is an often neglected maintenance item that if done at the right interval, will prevent a lot of unnecessary problems.
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Well done max, and good advice about getting help if it's too complicated
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Thank you!
So I did the brakes. So super easy.
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At hw many miles and what did the pads look like?
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Thanks Max for the words of wisdom.
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Congrats 562!!
I sent my last PM before I read you already did the job. Sorry...