When you’re working on your Jaguar and it has an ABS (Antilock Braking System), changing the brake pads is a bit different from what you might be used to with older, non-ABS cars. Normally, you’d just unbolt the caliper, push the old pads apart to retract the piston, and swap in the new pads. This process pushes the brake fluid back up into the master cylinder, which isn’t an issue in non-ABS systems.
However, with ABS, you need to be more careful. You **cannot** just force the brake fluid back up the lines; doing so can damage the ABS valve body, which could cost you around $1,500 to replace. Instead, when you retract the piston, you need to open the caliper’s bleed screw and let the excess fluid drain out. This prevents any dirty or moisture-laden fluid from being pushed back through the ABS valve body, which is delicate and could be easily ruined.
And here’s a tip—unlike older cars, ABS-equipped Jaguars need their brake fluid replaced annually. This helps keep the system in top condition and prevents any potential issues with the ABS components.
See our Jaguar Parts Store Catalog to order parts.
