Tomorrow Ill be doing a brake and rotor replacement on my '02 MC and was wondering if its necessary to bleed the bakes and put new fluid in? Or can I just top off the fluid?

 

Necessary? Well... that depends.

If you're still on original fluid, you're past due for a change...

That said, if your pads are quite worn, you actually want to take some fluid OUT of the brake reservoir before doing your pad replacement - because you will be compressing the caliper pistons, and this will force fluid back through the system into the reservoir. If it's nearly full to begin with, it can overflow, and get brake fluid (which removes paint) in places where you don't want it... Use a turkey baster or something similar to remove most of the fluid from your reservoir before you begin.

Now, back to your question... as long as you aren't removing the brake lines from the calipers (which you don't need to do) or opening the bleed screws (which you also don't need to do) then you won't be introducing air into the system - so no bleed is necessary for that reason. But, again, if it's been 2 years or more since your fluid was changed, then you SHOULD do a fluid replacement / bleed. I use a power bleeder, but some do it the old fashioned way...

 

Thanks for the Help! I think I might just bleed them.