Does this require bleeding the brakes to change the pads?

No bleeding is required however watch for overspill from your master cylinder when you push the pistons of the caliper in to insert new pads it pushs some fluid back and if your master cylinder is filled high it might spill, watch it and keep a rag handy or remove excess with a turkey baster if it gets near overfilled

always made it a practice to put new fluid it every pad change...

You don't need to but I would recommend doing it anyways.

Don't push pads into calipers to force fluid back into lines. Open bleeder screws and push fluid out there so you don't force contaminants back where it can damage seals and such. just close bleeder before letting pressure off of pistons and you should be ok. Its never a bad idea to bleed brakes. Brake fluid is probably the most neglected fluid on a car. (competition between coolant, diff lube, and brake fluid)

Get speed bleeders, the 30$ is worth every penny.

If you open the bleeder screws you will need to bleed.



I've been pushing the pistons back w/o issue for years. I don't really understand what kind of contaminants people think are getting pushed back. Its a closed system. The only thing in there is brake fluid. Am I missing something?