Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Changed brake pads for the first time.

Just changed my front and back brake pads using EBC Double H Sintered. At 5900 miles there was minimal wear in the back and more than 1/2 gone in the front. I went for a long ride. There is noticeable change in braking power. I had to adjust.

It was simpler than I thought. Didn't open up the brake fluid reservoirs as some suggested. I loosened removed reatining brake line clip then loosed the pins took out the bolts removed caliper from rotor, removed pins and the old pads fell out. I cleaned the pins and checked the anti-vibration springs to be in place. Make sure you wipe a dab of high temp brake grease on the pins before putting them back (dont put the grease on brakes). I didnt have any so I used ball bearing packing grease borrowed from a local mechanic. I also sprayed computer cleaning air to get any gunk out. Make sure springs are still in place and nothing falls in the cylinders. Put the pins and new brakes in.

Before putting the caliper back over the rotors open the brakes up by inserting a flat screw driver and gently pushing up or down to open them up. After putting them on, tighten everything in reverse order. Pump the brake a few times before you move your bike and go slow for the test.

All things constant, "Didn't open up the brake fluid reservoirs as some suggested." is OK if you have never added fluid to the reservoir.

a little something to try next time, when you have caliper in hand with old pads still in place, take a C-clamp and slowly squeeze the pad (on piston side) back enough to where the pad is flush with the caliper houseing. then remove old pad and carry on. when you put caliper back in place it will fall right in. the screwdriver idea works but you have a risk of hurting the new pad and scratching something you dont want scratched. i wont tell you about the time i was doing something similer and wound up with a screwdriver up my nose(you dont want to hear about that) so use the old pad as a plate and screw the clamp slowly SLOWLY!!!!! much easier!!!

You got the basics down, but I would use some aerosol brake cleaner rather than compressed air to clean the gunk out. Even though pads are no longer made of asbestos, that brake dust can't be good for you. The compressed air puts it into your breathing air, while the brake cleaner flushes it out with a liquid.
Not opening the reservoir may work, but when changing the pads you should check the condition of the fluid. If it looks like the milk left in the bowl after you've had your cocoa puffs, it needs changed....

And newt... I want to hear the screwdriver up the nose story....

Reminds me of a skit by Cheech and Chong: Up His Nose

"First it was a piece of rice, a bean, a jujube. Then he got bigger
and bigger. A walnut, a peanut. Then he started on change..."

Quote:

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Cheech and Chong

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Who?
I would personally never listen to such communist dribble, trying to destroy the minds of our yute, you pinko!

Dave's not here man...

Great job on doing the brakes, I would however recommend that you now bleed the brake lines. Brake fluid goes bad at about the same rate your brake pads do. It would be kind of like changing the engine oil, but not the oil filter.

Tom

Firesign Theatre...

Been thinking about it. I have to get the courage to do it. I even bought Brent's bleed valves, and have the brake fluid, and hose. I looked at through the clear glass and it still looks clear. The bike is only a year old.

Change it every two years. and your vehicle brakes also.