Brake Caliper Install
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Brake Caliper Install
Ok, so I am one of those guys who knows what is on his bike and knows what the builder/engine guys have done to it but never felt confident enough to actually start wrenching his own. Well that is changing. I recently bought the Hawg Halters/Roadlok front brake caliper (black of course) and have my J&S Jack that I havent used yet but ready to. Anyway, is this install something you would trust yourself to do as one of your first solo wrench jobs? And to answer the question or statements to come, I do have a service manual. Just wondering how extensive a job this is for a non-expert like myself. I have done the cosmetic things but this would be my first real install.Difficulty level? Low, medium, high?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I'd say Medium. It is easy to remove the old caliper, by just undoing the brake pipe and fixing bolts, also easy to connect up the new caliper. Getting the brake bled and functioning faultlessly can sometimes be troublesome. I have just replaced my rear caliper and hose and it went like a dream, but that is the first time ever in messing with Harley hydraulic brakes! It ain't always so.
Take care with brake fluid and don't get it on any of your paint. Cover everything, especially your fender and tank, with thick cloth (I use old towels) to catch spills or splashes. Someone will call by soon and recommend an easy bleed device to help lower the job to Low difficulty!
Best of luck. Take a deep breath....
Take care with brake fluid and don't get it on any of your paint. Cover everything, especially your fender and tank, with thick cloth (I use old towels) to catch spills or splashes. Someone will call by soon and recommend an easy bleed device to help lower the job to Low difficulty!
Best of luck. Take a deep breath....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Replacing the front calipers is straight forward. It's good that you have the SM, but the SM doesn't tell us what tools are required. The caliper bolts are 12-pt 10mm. I don't recall what the banjo bolt is. Before you start, just check to see you have the necessary tools to remove and reinstall the fasteners and any new parts (e.g. washers for the banjo bolts).
Protect the paint from brake fluid drips and protect the front fender when the old calipers are being removed and the new ones installed.
Torque everything to spec and bleed the brakes--a Mighty Vac is handy to have.
Go for it.
Carl
Protect the paint from brake fluid drips and protect the front fender when the old calipers are being removed and the new ones installed.
Torque everything to spec and bleed the brakes--a Mighty Vac is handy to have.
Go for it.
Carl
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Well, it's not so straight forward replacing a stock caliper with an aftermarket. It's not just unbolt the old and bolt on the new. You will get a package of shims with your new aftermarket caliper. The instructions will tell you that you need to "center" the caliper on the rotor. This is more time consuming than difficult. I generally use just a feeler gauge and check both sides top and bottom. Again not difficult but time consuming. It is a very important step that does need to be done correctly. Also your '05 should require dot 5 brake fluid (check owners or service manual to be sure). You cannot mix dot 3 or 4 with dot 5. Also dot 5 is silicone based and will not damage your paint. Good luck
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