Changing front brake pads

[Robik]

Hi all,

I need to change my brake pads on the front, I have had the caliper off and back on before so I am comfortable with that part of it.

My main question is how I push the pistons out so I can get the new thicker pads in?

Thanks all!

[mattycoops43]

If your caliper is in good nick and not corroded up (the pistons) you can do it with your fingers. They will be stiff but will move slowly with a fairly small amount of pressure.

[fq-craigus]

You shouldn't need to remove caliper to do pads, remove one pad at a time preise pistons back with a screwdriver carefully

[Robik]

Thanks all!

Ok, certainly will be quicker and easier if I don't need to take the caliper off. I will try to put something between the disc and screwdriver to avoid damaging the disc.

Not sure how easy it will be to prize the pistons back, as you say I will only know when I try.

[mattycoops43]

DO NOT prise the pistons back against the disc. Discs warp easily and they are EXPENSIVE, Most fully floating discs are in the region of 100-150 quid. And are very fragile.

Takes a couple of minutes to remove caliper. although on my bike, pads pop out the top after removing the pins, and I can push the pistons back with my fingertips.

[cockercas]

If I can't push the pads back I use some flat bar and a sash clamp.

[megawatt]

What Matty said. I use a G clamp, not expensive, to push em in.

[Robik]

Awesome advice and ideas thanks all!

G-clamps! of course, great idea. I have those.

[Pete]

If you're finding it hard to push the pistons in and don't want to damage them with a screwdriver or clamp etc then try taking the top off the brake fluid reservoir. should give a bit easier then.

[Robik]

Thanks Pete,

I will try with my hands first, if that fails then g-clamps not pushing too hard. Then remove the brake fluid reservoir top, if need be,

[Tango]

It's not a bad idea to remove the caliper and clean the pistons & the rest of the caliper when changing the pads......certainly won't hurt......

[megawatt]

What Bob said. Pump the pistons out as much as you dare, about 80% out and clean off all the crud so that they are nice n shiny. Apply a smear of red rubber grease, remove M/C cover and cover with a rag, then gently but firmly push pistons back in. If very hard or notchy, you will need to remove them, replace seals and rebuild with RRG on seals before bleeding.

[Robik]

Ok, so had the caliper off and the pads were not as worn as I thought they were from the outside.

But what I noticed was that on side of one of the pads looks slightly more worn than the rest of the pad areas.

Then I pulled the brake lever gently and only one piston started to move. I freed both sides and clean the pistons, I went as far as I dared, they were quite mucky. I pushed them back in using a g-clamp and repeated this a few times. Unfortunately, I didn't have any red rubber grease, couldn't find this in B&Q or halfords online. Is it called something else too? I found some on ebay, so can order some.

I put everything back together (current brake pads for now) as I think I am going to have to remove them as you suggest megawatt, replace the seals, but need to order the seals and the grease first.