So I'm planning on replacing the front and rear brake pads this weekend. I started reading through the service manual to see what 's involved and it looks like just to get to the front pads for replacement I will have to take the entire caliper apart? Is that the case or am I mistaken?

 

If memory serves me correct you just pull the bolts for the caliper and compress the pucks into calipers and they pretty much should fall out,

 

As far as I remember, the pads will fall out on their own, at least the one that cooperates with the piston. Just move the bracket (84 on the diagram) and the pad will pop out.

 

In fact, when I remove the caliper to remove the front wheel, it's hard to keep the pads from falling out (at least the piston side pad). The inside pad is retained with a single screw from the back side.

 

Just did this yesterday. It is about a 15 min. job, 30 if you really take your time cleaning.

Remove the two allen bolts holding the caliper on. Remove the small bolt (#12 in RidemyEVO's Drawing). That will release the inside pad. Then the outside pad and holder will come out. Remove the outside pad from the holder. Clean everything up. Compress the piston back into the caliper. Replace the pads. Reinstall the caliper. Pump up the brake using the lever. Top off the fluid, and you should be good to go.

 

Quick note - on Bike Bandit brake schematic, part #90 is very important. If the brake pad is not installed properly into #90, a clunk will be heard when goint over bumps. You will need to hook brake pad into #90, and slide into mounting bracket #84. This holds tension on the brake pad, holding in place.