It took me all of 10 minutes to replace mine the other day. Removed the pins and the pads fell right out. Take the top off of the rear brake fluid resivoir and then press the calipers back into thier bores so you can slide the new pads in. Replace pins and then tighten up the resivoir cap.

 

It's an easy job and it's satisfying that you're working on and maintaining your scoot. No, you do not need to remove the rear wheel or the calipers. If I remember correctly, you need a 12 point socket (10mm?) to loosen the pad pins. Take a clean paper towel and soak up (remove) some of the brake fluid from the reservoir and leave the cap off. Use a screwdriver to compress the pistons, pull the pad pins 1/2 way out and remove and replace the inside pad. I think then you need to tighten the pad pins, use the brake level to seat the rear pad against the disc. Now the pistons will hold the rear pad in place, so you can then remove the pad pins entirely and replace the outside pad. Fill the reservoir, pump up the brakes and you're ready to roll.

This is from memory, but I highly recommend the HD service manual. Best money you can spend. Oh, and look at Lyndall brake pads. I don't know if shops carry them. I order mine online.

 

Last time I did mine it took me about a week! I thought about it for 5 or 6 days and finally went out and got the tools together to do the job. Then it took me an hour or so but I take lots of breaks!

 

Just wondering how many miles you got out of a set of rear pads on your Ultra ?

 

Surprised no one has mentioned the need to bleed the brakes. Isnt this necessary? Or just a good idea?

 

Ditto! Great taste you have there!

 

There's no need to bleed the brakes when changing brake pads unless somehow you get air in the system. Just make sure there's brake fluid in the reservoir at all times. Compressing the piston away from the disc will force the fluid back to the reservoir.

Replacing brake pads on your HD is basically the same as on your car or truck, except it's even easier because you don't have to take off the tire and you don't have to take off the caliper. Just make sure you follow the process as outlined in the manual: Pad pin 1/2 way out and replace the back pad first.

 

Thanks guys. I'm somewhat handy with tools, used to build VWs and was a journeyman carpenter as a youth. TZ we need to talk... -L-

Tq

 

Never had to replace the pads on the Ultra. The ones I replaced were on the Night Train and it had only 12000 miles on it. I think the previous owner used the rear brakes almost exclusively.