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Message started by bones2953 on 04/24/06 at 14:25:03

Title: replacing front brakes
Post by bones2953 on 04/24/06 at 14:25:03

Is it hard to replace the front pads. am no techie and i know the dealer will sock-it-to-me. Any detailed help would be awesome.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by pgolden on 04/24/06 at 19:08:32

Just take the front wheel off and you can tell by looking how to change the pads. Make sure you do not pull the front brake lever while the wheel is off!!! Take some vise grips and compress the caliper a little, put in the new pads, replace the front wheel, and "pump" the front brake lever. (Don't be alarmed if the brake lever is mushy the first two or three pumps). That's it.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by Savage Librarian on 04/25/06 at 09:44:15

While you have the front brake and wheel off, you might want to take a piece of scrap wood and temporarily srtap it between the brake lever and the grip. I have one that I rounded off so that one end matches the curve of the grip. I use velcro ties on it, and that makes sure I, or someone else, don't accidently grab the brake.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by 911radioman on 04/25/06 at 10:29:50

Piece of cake. Just did my front ones yesterday. You loosen the pad bolt, then remove the caliper bolts, remove caliper, then remove the pad bolt and pads.

One thing maybe worth mentioning, the Clymer manual does recommend when compressing the piston to remove the master cylinder cover. I did find that I could not compress the piston all the way until I did that. If you do have to go that route, be prepared to remove a little brake fluid to keep it from overflowing when compressing the piston. I just used a little syringe and took a little out, then was able to put the piston in its original resting position.

Make sure you put a little brake pad grease on the back of the pad to prevent squeaks and squeals. Some riders I've talked to don't mind squeals... personally I hate them! ;D

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by bones2953 on 04/25/06 at 10:36:10

thanks alot for the info. here i go!

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by 911radioman on 04/25/06 at 11:15:59

When you go to reassemble everything, you'll have to push down on the new pads to get the pad bolt back through the holes in the pads. There's little springs down inside the caliper so make sure you don't lose them. Good luck!

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by Guido on 04/25/06 at 14:22:17

Why in the world would take the front wheel off?? ???

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by 911radioman on 04/25/06 at 15:26:43

The front wheel does not have to be taken off to change brake pads.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by bones2953 on 04/25/06 at 19:09:14

lots different info on the brake replacement thing, now i'm nervous

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by 911radioman on 04/25/06 at 19:24:17

Trust me, I quoted you from Clymer's. Anybody who pulls the front wheel to swap brake pads is doing it the hard way. Don't sweat it, do as I described and you'll be done in, oh, 45 minutes or so seeing as its your first time.

Take your time, inspect things as you disassemble, and let that extra time spent teach you about your bike.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by babbalou on 04/25/06 at 19:26:27

bones2953 wrote:

lots different info on the brake replacement thing, now i'm nervous

It's easier than you think. I figured it out as I went & took maybe 15 minutes. It can probably be done in 5 the next time.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by Reelthing on 04/25/06 at 19:52:47

and have time for a brew along the way - break the allen head pin loose before you remove the caliper - you should be able to push the piston back with your hands - just put some presure on it and wait 20 seconds - it's moving just slow

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by Savage_Rob on 04/26/06 at 11:29:04

Yeah it really was easy. Even the first time I think it was maybe 20 minutes and I actually cleaned everything very well with brake cleaner (toxic stuff that it is). Next time will probably be 10 or less.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by bones2953 on 04/26/06 at 14:15:26

thanks for all the relies especially 911radoioman. I'm doing it ASAP.

Title: Re: replacing front brakes
Post by 911radioman on 04/26/06 at 15:05:34

Happy to help. The folks around here helped me out when I got my Savage a few months ago and I'm just paying it forward! :)