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How to remove rear brake caliper?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From: South FL
How to remove rear brake caliper?
2010 Ultra Limited
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I am trying to replace the rear tire, but I am stuck on the rear brake caliper.
How do I remove it without removing the brake pads, opening the master cylinder, so on? The top of the caliper catches the rim of the wheel, and I don't see any way that I can remove the caliper without disassemble the whole thing.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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I am trying to replace the rear tire, but I am stuck on the rear brake caliper.
How do I remove it without removing the brake pads, opening the master cylinder, so on? The top of the caliper catches the rim of the wheel, and I don't see any way that I can remove the caliper without disassemble the whole thing.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: SE Wisconsin
Twist it a bit to compress the pistons. No need to open the reservoir or anything.
Pull on it and push on it a bit, you'll get it. Just did mine a couple weeks ago.
Don't touch your brake pedal while its off.
Pull on it and push on it a bit, you'll get it. Just did mine a couple weeks ago.
Don't touch your brake pedal while its off.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 12
From: Arizona
The easiest way I have found is to remove the caliper bolts before undoing the axle, wiggle the caliper up and out, it will hit the rim and make it difficult but not impossible. So, DUCT TAPE YOUR WHEEL! put a strip of duct tape directly above the caliper, because you have to wiggle it up and out and it will hit on the rim.
After changing the tire, with the axle nut already thigtened up, the caliper bracket in place, the ABS sensor in place, look at the caliper and make sure that the brake pads are still apart, if they are not, gently pry them apart with a screwdriver but don't open the reservoir, once they are apart and lined up, gently wiggle the caliper back into place.
Check double check everything. Before lowering the bike, put it in neutral and rotate the wheel make sure nothing is binding.
Regards,
After changing the tire, with the axle nut already thigtened up, the caliper bracket in place, the ABS sensor in place, look at the caliper and make sure that the brake pads are still apart, if they are not, gently pry them apart with a screwdriver but don't open the reservoir, once they are apart and lined up, gently wiggle the caliper back into place.
Check double check everything. Before lowering the bike, put it in neutral and rotate the wheel make sure nothing is binding.
Regards,
Last edited by TooEasy; Jul 7, 2011 at 01:59 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: In the flatlands!
I found it simple to pull the pin and remove the pads. No big deal and gives you plenty of room.
As one mentioned, useing duct tape will prevent maring the wheel.
As one mentioned, useing duct tape will prevent maring the wheel.
Last edited by karbar99; Jul 7, 2011 at 02:08 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I do it pretty much the same way but I only knock out the inside pad. The caliper will roll up and over the rotor easily. Then I push the pistons back in and reinstall the inner pad. The caliper rolls back over the rotor on reinstall no problem.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
It takes a lot of wiggling and a lot of swearing but it will come off.
I think you will find that the wheel needs to be higher into the fender than you think it does. Works for me, anyhow.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Well the way I do it is compress the pads as said, pull the axle and spacers, now with the bike on the jack and the tire on the ground, roll it forward and at the same time walk the caliper forward, you only have to go as far as the end of the caliper slide plate on the swing arm, now tilt the wheel left with the caliper it the pocket area of the spokes and tilt the caliper out. now remove the belt off the pully, jack the bike up high to get the tire/wheel out. Be sure to never seeze or sylglide the caliper guide plate so it doesnt stick on you while in use. But do what ever works for you, I do it this way so I dont ruin my chrome wheels, the pulley or ceramic rotor.