Brake pad replacement for E46 w/ABS

I am about to replace the brake pads on my 2000 E46. My handy chilton's manual warns about compressing the brake piston and forcing crud up into the high pressure section of the brake system. It states that this is likely to damage the ABS system. It recommends clamping off the flexible section of brake line and opening the bleeder valve before compressing the piston.

Looking at the brake line, it seems like clamping it to the point of preventing brake fluid from flowing would do some serious damage to it.

Anyone got any experience with this? From everthing I've read this should be a pretty easy job - but I'd hate to mess up my ABS or my brake lines.

Thanks in advance,

-Joe

Opening up the bleeder valve should be good enough. Most, if not all, of the brake fluid will exit the bleeder. I've changed brake pads on my ABS cars for several years now using this procedure without any problems.

Anthony