Changing front brakes. By Guitarman (Read 505 times)

[Guitarman]

Had a BLEEEEEP of a time getting my new front breaks on today.  I have no idea where my piston compressor is.  I had to push them in by hand.

[tvnacman]

I use a big c-clamp .

John

[cyborg]

You should change your name to caveman,,,,lol

[jct842]

I have been known to be too lazy to get a c clamp down, so I just put the old pads back in and take a giant screwdriver/pry bar stick it in and twist. All it does is mark up the old pads and scoots the piston back in. Last time I put pads on the car I did it and it worked fine on it too.

If you want to tear your hair out try changing the rear pads on a majesty. You can not force the piston back in. you have to screw the piston in because the scooter has a parking break and it works by twisting and the hydraulic part works normally. Majestys are know for poor rear pad wear mostly because riders typically adjust the parking brake so they could stop at highway speeds and then it drags while you ride. It should be adjusted with just enough force to keeps the scooter from rolling off the kickstand.

[Guitarman]

That's just how I did it. Put the old pads back in and pried them apart with the crowbar. The problem came in that they refused to stay in. I'm looking at a caliper rebuild, or I can just pop for a new one. Yikes... $$$$

[Bashan]

When I do brakes I drain all of the fluid, change the pads, and don't mess with the pistons. If the pistons aren't leaking I just leave them alone. Then reinstall the calipers, pour some fluid in, and bleed them. Why mess with them if they're working OK? Why mess with your avatar constantly? I would NEVER do that.

[Guitarman]

Found my caliper on ebay at a bike shop in Cali. $50 shipped. The Dealer is looking at $250. *near faint* I don't even fricken think so....

[jct842]

If the piston refused to stay in that means some thing in there is compressible. like maybe air? Or soft hose?

Any way I take my time when I push the piston in, doesn't usually take a lot of pressure if you go slow. As bash says its a good time to change fluid.

[cyborg]

Guitar ain't ebay a thing of beauty?,,,you can save so much off of the dealer counter price it's crazy

[Guitarman]

You know it braddah. $50 for a part the Dealer wants $250 for? Yep. All the way. It's used, but reconditioned. ebay! ebay!

Rich,
I KNEW IT! I knew I saw you the other night at Big Jim's Pole Breaking Contest! I mean... Pole Dancing.....

[cyborg]

So get a rebuild kit disassemble Clean hone and reassemble and you have a choice spare for less than $20,,, I never would have done my last ducati build without eBay ,,,, I wouldn't have even bought the bike if I had to use the dealer parts counter,,, probably would have been $2-3000 more for the build,,,, that is one huge reason I have more than one,,,,when one needs something I have the luxury of being able to wait for the parts to be delivered and save a bunch of dough doin it,,, and still be able to ride,,, I'm gonna start a thread on it

[Guitarman]

Yep. Doing my E bike that way. A slow piece at a time kind of build. This one I had to have yesterday. Got to have the wheels to get to work.