Brake Pad Question

Longrider · 02-23-2017, 09:51 PM

First . . .I have NEVER done any brake work on ANYTHING myself, but I want to now....

I have a service manual for my 1700 and just need new pads. The service manual says to first remove the calipers and to "Unscrew the banjo bolt and remove the brake hose [D] from the caliper." Do I really need to do this?

Pad replacement says "Remove the rear caliper with the hose installed (see Rear •Caliper Removal)."

So which is it? Can I skip the brake line removal and lessen the job this first time around? Any tips?

Thanks a bunch.

**Kawalski Rider** · 02-23-2017, 10:15 PM

If you remove the Banjo bolt and seperate the the hose from the caliper, you will have to bleed the brake system to get the air out of it. I have always just compressed the caliper with a clamp to push the pistons back in some. This will allow you to unbolt the caliper and slide it off the rotor. The pads can easily be replace then. Don't squeeze the break lever until you have the pads replaced on BOTH calipers... Then give it several pumps to push the pistons and pads back out to seat them.

Good luck..

**Kawalski Rider** · 02-23-2017, 10:43 PM

My bad... After rereading your post I see your replacing the rear breaks.. So obviously there is one caliper, but still don't depress the foot peddle until you get the caliper back on the rotor.

tonik · 02-24-2017, 10:50 AM

No need to do all that if you are just doing pads.

1) Pry carefully between the pads and the rotor to push the pistons in.
2) Remove the caliper, leave the hose alone.
3) Put in the new pads. Watch the pin to remove the pads, there is a little spring clip in there that needs to be pulled first.
4) Put the caliper back in.

VulcanE · 02-24-2017, 04:07 PM

Like the others said, don't remove the brake line. When I do mine, I remove the 2 bolts that mount the caliper, then grab the caliper and "roll" it toward me, this pushes the pistons in enough to get it off, then I use my thumbs to press the old pad/pistons in. If you've added brake fluid to the master, you might want to remove some before pressing the pistons all the way back in.

Longrider · 02-24-2017, 08:02 PM

thanks for the info! I will go for it!

redjay · 02-24-2017, 08:31 PM

Lots of brake pad videos on Youtube

**smokier** · 02-25-2017, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longrider

First . . .I have NEVER done any brake work on ANYTHING myself, but I want to now....
(snip)
Thanks a bunch.

Greetings LongRider,
For PAD replacement you do not need to loosen or disconnect the HOSES and BANJO bolts. As stated, use a clamp and old pad to push the piston in, making room for the new, thicker pads.
It is a fairly simple task, I'd rate it a two on a scale of one to five.

**Sabre-t** · 02-26-2017, 04:46 PM

Like most vehicle maintenance manuals, it is not well worded and is why you read thru the whole procedure before starting. The caliper removal section assumes that you are replacing the hose when you take the caliper off. That is why the pad removal section specifically states to leave the hose installed assuming you are only changing the pads.

02-23-2017, 09:51 PM	#1
Longrider Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 22	Brake Pad Question First . . .I have NEVER done any brake work on ANYTHING myself, but I want to now.... I have a service manual for my 1700 and just need new pads. The service manual says to first remove the calipers and to "Unscrew the banjo bolt and remove the brake hose [D] from the caliper." Do I really need to do this? Pad replacement says "Remove the rear caliper with the hose installed (see Rear •Caliper Removal)." So which is it? Can I skip the brake line removal and lessen the job this first time around? Any tips? Thanks a bunch. __________________ Larry Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-23-2017, 10:15 PM	#2
Kawalski Rider Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 305	If you remove the Banjo bolt and seperate the the hose from the caliper, you will have to bleed the brake system to get the air out of it. I have always just compressed the caliper with a clamp to push the pistons back in some. This will allow you to unbolt the caliper and slide it off the rotor. The pads can easily be replace then. Don't squeeze the break lever until you have the pads replaced on BOTH calipers... Then give it several pumps to push the pistons and pads back out to seat them. Good luck.. __________________ Cheers, David Baughan aka: Kawalski Rider VBA #03514 2002 Vulcan VN1500L Nomad fi Pearl Burnish Beige/Pearl Luster Beige Last edited by Kawalski Rider; 02-23-2017 at 10:34 PM.
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02-23-2017, 10:43 PM	#3
Kawalski Rider Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 305	My bad... After rereading your post I see your replacing the rear breaks.. So obviously there is one caliper, but still don't depress the foot peddle until you get the caliper back on the rotor. __________________ Cheers, David Baughan aka: Kawalski Rider VBA #03514 2002 Vulcan VN1500L Nomad fi Pearl Burnish Beige/Pearl Luster Beige
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02-24-2017, 04:07 PM	#5
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Like the others said, don't remove the brake line. When I do mine, I remove the 2 bolts that mount the caliper, then grab the caliper and "roll" it toward me, this pushes the pistons in enough to get it off, then I use my thumbs to press the old pad/pistons in. If you've added brake fluid to the master, you might want to remove some before pressing the pistons all the way back in. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-24-2017, 08:02 PM	#6
Longrider Jr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 22	thanks for the info! I will go for it! __________________ Larry
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02-24-2017, 10:50 AM	#4
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	No need to do all that if you are just doing pads. 1) Pry carefully between the pads and the rotor to push the pistons in. 2) Remove the caliper, leave the hose alone. 3) Put in the new pads. Watch the pin to remove the pads, there is a little spring clip in there that needs to be pulled first. 4) Put the caliper back in.
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02-24-2017, 08:31 PM	#7
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	Lots of brake pad videos on Youtube
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02-26-2017, 04:46 PM	#9
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	Like most vehicle maintenance manuals, it is not well worded and is why you read thru the whole procedure before starting. The caliper removal section assumes that you are replacing the hose when you take the caliper off. That is why the pad removal section specifically states to leave the hose installed assuming you are only changing the pads.
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