Loubapache,

I once wrote in a detailed procedure I use to change brake pads and am a little too lazy to rewrite it again unless it is wanted. But the idea is to change your brake fluid at the same time you change your pads. I do this by fitting a little hose over the bleed fitting on the caliper, then unscrewing it slightly, and letting the fluid drain into a pint jar as I pry against the old pad. Once the fluid level in the jar covers the end of the hose (and you will notice this fluid is not clear, especially if you have not changed it in more than a year) you can bleed the brakes with or without an assistant.

Anyway, the added cost of a bottle of brake fluid or two when you change pads just seems trivial. I have been doing this for thirty years, and have never had a problem with my calipers, and it is relatively cheap.

Jim

Edit Note:

The point of the procedure is to avoid having to push fluid back up through the system, and make it easy to push the pads back so the piston goes into the caliper bore with relatively little force. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)