Changing Motorcycle Brake Pads How-To

[wazza300]

Just though id post how to change your pads for anyone wanting to or thinking about doing it

new pad time for me (well rear atm,ill update the thread with changing front pads when mine need doing)

first unbolt the caliper and remove the R retaining clip and retaining bolt and pull out the pads,then clean the exposed surface of the piston with a rag or brake cleaner/rag

then use a G clamp to compress the piston back into the caliper

next grease up the pivot pin on the caliper and a small smear of grease on the back of the pads to stop any brake squeal (take care not to get any grease or greasy fingerprints on the material side of the pads)

next install the pads/retaining pin and retaining R clip

mount the caliper back on the bike and tighten the retaining bolts and lastly pump the rear brake lever several times till it feels nice and firm

 

[wazza300]

yeah your right,i skipped that bit but should've included it really

the bracket is hard to pull off sometimes though,due to the suction

 

[wazza300]

yh its just a rough guide for anyone who's never done it and wants a general idea,brake calipers will vary from each model but are basically the same,they all have one or two retaining pins and clips

good idea to check the fluid aswell,why would you need to remove cap though if only changing pads? the fluid will just expand into the reservoir?

 

[wazza300]

I use m&p or busters for pads,either cheap goldfren or the more expensive ebc,I prefer the sintered pads aswell they offer better bite and last longer

 

[wazza300]

im no expert but to bed them in you brake as normal but slightly earlier for the first 30-50 miles maybe? avoid any sudden/hard/prolonged braking as it can glaze the pads

how do you do it?

 

[wazza300]

No problem,feel free to post your pad change methods etc,or rebuilds it all helps

I rebuilt all my callipers few years ago but never took pics of the process,wish I had now

 

[wazza300]

front brake pad renewal time

again pretty much the same as with the rear,only you have 6 pistons per calliper to clean/grease/compress

clean any crud from the exposed pistons,i use a fine wire brush

next you can grease any exposed pistons with red rubber grease

then use a rag to protect your calliper and use a g clamp to compress the pistons

then apply a little smear of grease to the retaining pin and backs of each pad to stop any brake squeal

install your pads/retaining pin and R clip

then fit any anti rattle spring/plate

and mount the calliper back into the bike,tighten up the calliper bolts and pump the front brake lever until its nice and firm

might be worth going round each disc with a flat bladed screwdriver and clean all the brake deposits/crud from out of the cooling holes,you'd be surprised how much crap builds up