Brake pad and rotor replacement

I am going to be replacing all my brake pads and rotors with slotted/drilled ones. My question is when I get to the rear rotors and pads is it necessary to bleed them to push the piston back? I have seen a few videos and some bleed it and some don't? To be honest I don't want to bleed them for fear of getting air in the line. What do you all think?

 

You should be flushing and bleeding your brake system every 2-3 years. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs water out of humid atmosphere. That water causes rust and crud in your cast iron MC and calipers that will wear out your seals and score the bores. Brake maintenance will be less expensive if you maintain your system preventatively, i.e. regularly flush, refill with fresh fluid, bleed. Bleeding is not rocket science (see youTube)...just BE SURE that the level in the MC reservoir NEVER falls below the ADD mark.

Addressing your specific question, the caliper pistons will have to be forced back into the calipers with a clamp tool or a heavy screwdriver between the old rotor and pad in order to insert the new thicker pads. This in itself will not require bleeding, but you should certainly flush and bleed after the pads have been replaced for the reason given above. If you have ever added brake fluid to the MC reservoir to maintain the level at "normal", then you may overflow the reservoir when the pistons are retracted, so keep an eye on your MC reservoir.

 

@zilla_lou, you shouldn't have to break that line to change our rotors and pads on rear . It's easier for the front's. Good luck

 

@JohnLakeman, thanks for the advise. My truck currently is sitting at 72k miles I just figured I would get the flush done at 100k miles when I replace the timing chain and do a full service and flush all fluids and replace.

 

Make sure your reservoir has not been topped off prior to pushing piston back. If completely full then fluid will be forced out into engine bay and onto ground.

As mentioned shouldn't have to bleed to replace pads.

 

You don’t just replace the timing chain...maybe you mean serpentine belt...