Replace Brake Pads

MikeInFla · 09-21-2009, 07:07 AM

I tried to search this but no luck.

I was going to replace my front brake pads this weekend and saw a small clip or strange looking cotter pin on the small bolt the holds the pads in. It's wrapped around the bolt almost like a clip.

I could not figure out how to remove it without breaking the clip/pin.

So before I continue, can someone tell me how to replace the brake pads without breaking that pin or am I doing it completely wrong.

bigdave · 09-21-2009, 07:24 AM

Its a spring clip should be able to pull it off with no problem. i used a small screw driver and pulled it part way off then removed it the rest of the way with fingers so i wouldnt loose it

**ringadingh** · 09-21-2009, 07:28 AM

Its a small hairpin clip, do as Bigdave suggests or grab it with needle nose pliers and pull it out. Unless someone has lost the original and replaced it with something else.

cactusjack · 09-21-2009, 07:52 AM

I mangled one of mine thinking it was a cotter pin and had to replace it. It's just a spring clip. It pulls straight out.

dogdoc · 09-21-2009, 08:54 AM

The hard part was getting it back in for me, came out easily. It is funny shaped compared to most cotter pins.

macmac · 09-21-2009, 11:30 AM

Gitchy yer wife to pull it out, She knows a hair pin when she sees one...

Clean the calpiers with a mechanics brush by hand and brake kleen. have a pan below them when you do and cover the firks with rags to keep over spray off.

The brake dust is very corrosive. A mechanics brush is a straight brisel brush with plastic brisels made to take a beating in harsh chems. These are cheap and long lasting.

MikeInFla · 09-22-2009, 07:01 AM

I'll try it again this weekend. Thanks

dougster · 09-22-2009, 12:35 PM

Mike,

This might help. http://www.gadgetjq.com/brakes.htm

spirello · 09-22-2009, 02:04 PM

I dont think I would use parts cleaner on the calipers for fear of swelling up the piston seals. I use bike wash and a brush.

macmac · 09-22-2009, 08:01 PM

Perhaps I should have said it this way "Brake Kleen" that is not one of my common typos, that is the name of Brake Kleen, made for calipers.

mac · 10-04-2009, 10:47 PM

Just replaced my rear break pads this evening - piece of cake. That little pin just pulls right out with needle nose pliers. Even simple things like this I always check Gadget's site for all the 'gotchas' and words of wisdom and tips that are an extreme help.

dogdoc · 10-06-2009, 01:52 PM

I used Brake Kleen spray works good to clean everything up.

**coacha** · 10-09-2009, 09:29 AM

My brother calls those small pins "Oh sh*t" pins because when you drop them and have to try to find 'em, that is what you keep saying.

Mike, it ain't too difficult cause I did my own back in June and it stopped fine since...of course my boot soles are worn out from Fred Flinestoning it....lol.

MikeInFla · 10-09-2009, 11:58 AM

That explains the emergency parachute you have in the back.

macmac · 10-09-2009, 04:44 PM

Really these hair pins are easy to deal with. Now the "E" clip, is another whole animal, and are sometimes called jesus clips..

09-21-2009, 07:07 AM	#1
MikeInFla Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bushnell FL Posts: 611	Replace Brake Pads I tried to search this but no luck. I was going to replace my front brake pads this weekend and saw a small clip or strange looking cotter pin on the small bolt the holds the pads in. It's wrapped around the bolt almost like a clip. I could not figure out how to remove it without breaking the clip/pin. So before I continue, can someone tell me how to replace the brake pads without breaking that pin or am I doing it completely wrong. __________________ Mike Morrison KawaNOW #00454 IBA# 42214 2007 Nomad 2008 Concours Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-21-2009, 07:24 AM	#2
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	Replace Brake Pads Its a spring clip should be able to pull it off with no problem. i used a small screw driver and pulled it part way off then removed it the rest of the way with fingers so i wouldnt loose it __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager
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09-21-2009, 07:28 AM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Replace Brake Pads Its a small hairpin clip, do as Bigdave suggests or grab it with needle nose pliers and pull it out. Unless someone has lost the original and replaced it with something else. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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09-21-2009, 07:52 AM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Replace Brake Pads I mangled one of mine thinking it was a cotter pin and had to replace it. It's just a spring clip. It pulls straight out. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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09-21-2009, 08:54 AM	#5
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Replace Brake Pads The hard part was getting it back in for me, came out easily. It is funny shaped compared to most cotter pins. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-21-2009, 11:30 AM	#6
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Replace Brake Pads Gitchy yer wife to pull it out, She knows a hair pin when she sees one... Clean the calpiers with a mechanics brush by hand and brake kleen. have a pan below them when you do and cover the firks with rags to keep over spray off. The brake dust is very corrosive. A mechanics brush is a straight brisel brush with plastic brisels made to take a beating in harsh chems. These are cheap and long lasting. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

09-22-2009, 07:01 AM	#7
MikeInFla Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bushnell FL Posts: 611	Replace Brake Pads I'll try it again this weekend. Thanks __________________ Mike Morrison KawaNOW #00454 IBA# 42214 2007 Nomad 2008 Concours
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09-22-2009, 12:35 PM	#8
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	Replace Brake Pads Mike, This might help. http://www.gadgetjq.com/brakes.htm __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740
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09-22-2009, 02:04 PM	#9
spirello Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VANCOUVER WA Posts: 576	Replace Brake Pads I dont think I would use parts cleaner on the calipers for fear of swelling up the piston seals. I use bike wash and a brush.
	0

09-22-2009, 08:01 PM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Replace Brake Pads Perhaps I should have said it this way "Brake Kleen" that is not one of my common typos, that is the name of Brake Kleen, made for calipers. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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10-04-2009, 10:47 PM	#11
mac Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 265	Replace Brake Pads Just replaced my rear break pads this evening - piece of cake. That little pin just pulls right out with needle nose pliers. Even simple things like this I always check Gadget's site for all the 'gotchas' and words of wisdom and tips that are an extreme help. __________________ ~Ride Safe~ Mac Dennis "Master Mac" McHenry VROC#880, VBA#673, DarkSide#273 '15 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited '05 Vulcan 1600 Nomad (Left the nest) '02 Vulcan 1500 Classic Fi (RIP) '95 Vulcan 750, (Retired) Houston/Klien, Tx
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10-06-2009, 01:52 PM	#12
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Replace Brake Pads I used Brake Kleen spray works good to clean everything up.
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10-09-2009, 09:29 AM	#13
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Replace Brake Pads My brother calls those small pins "Oh sh*t" pins because when you drop them and have to try to find 'em, that is what you keep saying. Mike, it ain't too difficult cause I did my own back in June and it stopped fine since...of course my boot soles are worn out from Fred Flinestoning it....lol. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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10-09-2009, 11:58 AM	#14
MikeInFla Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bushnell FL Posts: 611	Replace Brake Pads That explains the emergency parachute you have in the back. __________________ Mike Morrison KawaNOW #00454 IBA# 42214 2007 Nomad 2008 Concours
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10-09-2009, 04:44 PM	#15
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Replace Brake Pads Really these hair pins are easy to deal with. Now the "E" clip, is another whole animal, and are sometimes called jesus clips.. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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