How long after flushing brake fluid can you change pads?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
gl450
How long after flushing brake fluid can you change pads?
Hi All, after flushing brake fluid, is there any particular window of time you can change the pads? I hear if its unclean, it will contaminate and potentially damage the ABS when you push the pistons in. Could you change them a month later? year later? Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
If the brake fluid is "flushed", doesn't that mean that it's "clean". Like I mentioned in your other thread - just think about it. It makes no sense. You either misunderstood or are reading way too much on this interweb thingy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Op got a point. Unfortunately there is no such thing as complete fluid flush. Regardless of how much you exchange the gummy fluid in the caliper cylinders remains somewhat unchanged.
So flush fluid and then do the pads. No need to wait. Or you can wait a bit (a month is ok unless you track the vehicle).
So flush fluid and then do the pads. No need to wait. Or you can wait a bit (a month is ok unless you track the vehicle).
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
I supposed if you wanted to be ultimately **** about it getting the most possible old fluid out of your system, you could do them both at the same time - flush your fluid while you have each the pads off and the caliper pistons compressed, one at a time.
But this seems to be to ridiculously be overkill. Even the Mercedes mandated 2 year brake fluid change interval feels to me like overkill - I do it, but I don't think you are going to get a lot of "gunk" in the small amount of fluid that's left in each caliper cylinder, particular given how often the fluid overall is getting changed.
And I sure think the likelihood of damaging your ABS system is basically zero, no matter when you change your pads.
So I would just totally not worry about it.
But this seems to be to ridiculously be overkill. Even the Mercedes mandated 2 year brake fluid change interval feels to me like overkill - I do it, but I don't think you are going to get a lot of "gunk" in the small amount of fluid that's left in each caliper cylinder, particular given how often the fluid overall is getting changed.
And I sure think the likelihood of damaging your ABS system is basically zero, no matter when you change your pads.
So I would just totally not worry about it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
In a properly functioning and sealed brake system moisture absorption by the fluid is not an issue. Gunk/ varnish always is. Dirty fluid is dirty not because of water absorbed but because of dirt.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 20
GL550
I supposed if you wanted to be ultimately **** about it getting the most possible old fluid out of your system, you could do them both at the same time - flush your fluid while you have each the pads off and the caliper pistons compressed, one at a time.
But this seems to be to ridiculously be overkill. Even the Mercedes mandated 2 year brake fluid change interval feels to me like overkill - I do it, but I don't think you are going to get a lot of "gunk" in the small amount of fluid that's left in each caliper cylinder, particular given how often the fluid overall is getting changed.
And I sure think the likelihood of damaging your ABS system is basically zero, no matter when you change your pads.
So I would just totally not worry about it.
But this seems to be to ridiculously be overkill. Even the Mercedes mandated 2 year brake fluid change interval feels to me like overkill - I do it, but I don't think you are going to get a lot of "gunk" in the small amount of fluid that's left in each caliper cylinder, particular given how often the fluid overall is getting changed.
And I sure think the likelihood of damaging your ABS system is basically zero, no matter when you change your pads.
So I would just totally not worry about it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
This was actually explained to me by an engineer from stoptech- fluid gets dirty in two ways- extreme temps and cooling generating varnish and by the fact that the pistons move ever so slightly back and forth and every time they move back into the caliper they drag a bit of dirt from outside - think peristaltic pump. Eventually some of it makes it past the seals and into the fluid chambers. Amounts each "cycle" are miniscule, but then again persistence is the key.
