 Brake q:
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214 |
And now for the q: many of you knew was coming....
How hard and how much work is changing rear brake pads on a 2009 America for a guy w/ a modest garage and tool set, but has changed brake pads before on other bikes, e.g., Moto Guzzis and Viragos?
It looks like flip the assembly out of the way, pull some clips, swap the pads one at a time, replace the assembly, done.
2009 America
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Open the bleeder and squish out some fluid to compensate for the thicker pads. And then bleed. Sounds like you have it under control. If you have room to do this, hold the bleeder up a bit, 'cause there is a secret hidden recess in the top that sometimes holds a little secret air bubble in there.
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
And now for the q: many of you knew was coming....
How hard and how much work is changing rear brake pads on a 2009 America for a guy w/ a modest garage and tool set, but has changed brake pads before on other bikes, e.g., Moto Guzzis and Viragos?
It looks like flip the assembly out of the way, pull some clips, swap the pads one at a time, replace the assembly, done.
That's pretty much it; you'll need to pull the pad locator pins (2 silver bolts) after removing the caliper from the mount. Then you can remove the pads from the caliper body. If you want to get fancy, you can replace the anti-rattle clip inside the top of the caliper body.
When it comes to braking system components I suggest using a torque wrench, & blue Loctite on the caliper mounting bolts when reinstalling.
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
You do not have to open the hydraulic system to change pads, 2 small c-clamps and some patience, one can collapse the calipers and they stay collapsed during a proper changeout. Or did somebody already mention this. Why create a chore (bleeding air bubbles) that you can avoid? I forgot as I am tooled up, a long tapered wedge works too.
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
If you have never topped off the rear brake reservoir, then you don't have to open the system. Loosen up the two brake pad pins then remove the caliper. Remove pins: pads fall out. Use brake cleaner to clean off the pistons. As far as seating the pistons use a screwdriver before pad removal (and after cleaning up with brake cleaner) to spread the pads apart thus pushing the pistons home. or with a pad covering the pistons, squeeze the pad to the caliper. (C-clamps are clumsy).  There are schools of thought as to why one would let loose a blast of brake fluid... PS: Removing the brake line clamp at the swingarm affords more movement of the caliper. And that wire loom thingamjig too. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
If you have never topped off the rear brake reservoir, then you don't have to open the system. Loosen up the two brake pad pins then remove the caliper. Remove pins: pads fall out.
Use brake cleaner to clean off the pistons. As far as seating the pistons
use a screwdriver before pad removal (and after cleaning up with brake cleaner) to spread the pads apart thus pushing the pistons home. or with a pad covering the pistons, squeeze the pad to the caliper. (C-clamps are clumsy).
There are schools of thought as to why one would let loose a blast of brake fluid...
PS: Removing the brake line clamp at the swingarm affords more movement of the caliper. And that wire loom thingamjig too.
+1! 
Jim, ain't it refreshing to know you can take GREAT PRIDE in knowin' that's exactly the way we do it, HERE at Ghetto Shed. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
I agree with no need to open the bleeder, I just did the rear brakes on mine again and pushed the pistons back in with my thumbs.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Yeah, I'll buy that. No need to open the bleeder. I sometimes have a proclivity for slinging a mess around and clean it up later. Most times I can collapse the pistons with my thumbs that way. But you guys are profesh'nals
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Thumbs Up here too. 
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 214 |
So I took the saddlebags outta the way, had to squish the calipers down w/ some not so fancy reach abound visegrips to make some room inside the assembly for the new pads to fit w/ the rotor in between, not that much hassle or cussing. I am curious what if anything pushes the pads apart after the brake has been released. The rear brake had started to feel funny, causing worry. Who likes their brakes feeling funny? It inspires no confidence. One of the pads had warn to the backing plate. Bad, not good. The rotor doesn't feel smooth and perfect, but not bad, whatever that may mean. A quick very short test ride, no problems, but babied them. I imagine there is some break in for new pads, which I will look into before tomorrow afternoon. FWIW, I got the EBC HH pads from Fast Eddy, who was no BS, no drama, just what you want. I plan to order a few other small items from him soon. If you are looking for an online retailer for your bike stuff, suggest you check him before others. http://www.fasteddysports.com/
2009 America
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
had to squish the calipers down
I am curious what if anything pushes the pads apart after the brake has been released.
1. a plain old C clamp works best for me
2. nothing. they just sorta barely float across the rotor, no spring contrivance to return them
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Re: Brake q:
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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