Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Li'l break help please

I've been trying to get my bakes back up after replacing the master cylinder and after reading the other brake help thread I unhooked the rear brake caliper and droped it down and the air just poured out. Ok now to put the caliper back on... I can't get the pistons to push back so I can get it over the disc.
Is there a trick to seperating the two pads I've tried prying (not too hard)and looking for some place externally to push but no luck in even getting them to budge.
Any thought from those of you who have done brake work?
ModelMaker

Level the bike as much as possible. Remove the cover to the master cylinder. place a rag under incase the fluid comes over. Press evenly on both sides.

The bike is on the block stand, the resvouir is low from last bleeding (ready for back flow) the damn pads will not seperate even with trying to pry them gently with a screwdriver. Its like they fused while I was pumping the air out. I even unscrewed the bleeder off (speed bleeder it closes off after preassure) but still can't get the pads to open up. If the pistons go too closed could they be locked up or something?
ModelMaker

If the pistons came out too far they could be slightly cocked in their bores. But I would think the fluid would be leaking past them if they were out that far.
Can you remove the pins and take the pads out?

If I can't get the pistons back in I don't think I can get the pads out.Is the back side of the moveable pad smooth or is there an indent the pistons set in to? I'm just about to unhook the brake line and get it on the bench. Are the washers on each side of the bajo fitting reusable at all?
ModelMaker

You may want to spray a little lube on the pistons. You may have some dirt causing them to stick.

Go to any auto parts store and pick up the copper washers.
In the "Olden Days" we use to bake the copper washers
for the oilers then reuse them.
But for the life
of me I don't remember the temp or time.

Got 'em!!
I pulled the retaining bolts for the pads and tapped until they fell out. One of the pistons had indeed came out and hung up.Why do you ask? Because I dont have enough pad to keep the damn things in!! It shows in the manual the pads have a wear groove in them. I'm sure I must have had them at one time or another. Will be shopping at Brents in a few minutes!!
Well only have a few things to add and check over and then I think I can fire the black beauty up and go for a check ride, first time since June 3 she's rolled under her own power.
Wish me luck!!
Thanks all.
ModelMaker

Good luck!!

Glad you got it figured out. Make sure everything's clean and smooth going back together. Git 'r dun!

I've never bled brakes with caliper off. Would it help to put a piece of something the same thickness as disk between pads?

Yes it would, although there is no need to remove them.

Like Runner says, try it without removing them. My suggestion of removing them was what worked for me when I just couldn't get all the air out of the rear system. But if you do take the caliper off the disc, yes, you need to put something (piece of wood, something that won't damage anything) in there to take up the space.
I just assumed that was a "given".....

I beg to differ with you Runner but "if" you have a major air infiltration, remove break line, destroy master cylinder in a crash etc. there is NO WAY to get all the air out without removing the caliper. After I replaced the master I poured over two pints through the lines and NEVER got a good pedal until I dropped the caliper. You would not beleive the amount of air that came out even after two pints. It is neccesary to put a piece of wood or something between the pads before you start pumping though.
ModelMaker