Replacing Brake Pads
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 836
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Hill, CT.
Replacing Brake Pads
I am just wondering.
I have changed hundreds of sets of automotive brake pads and its a simple process of taking the cap off the reservoir, pressing the pistons back up into the calipers, and re-install everything.
On my FLH should I take the cap off the reservoir and risk getting fluid spillage or just slowly push the pistons back and go for it?
Thanks in advance.
I have changed hundreds of sets of automotive brake pads and its a simple process of taking the cap off the reservoir, pressing the pistons back up into the calipers, and re-install everything.
On my FLH should I take the cap off the reservoir and risk getting fluid spillage or just slowly push the pistons back and go for it?
Thanks in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,708
Likes: 2,120
From: Central, Ca.
Very much the same thing, I changed fluid at the time so I sucked some out of the master cylinders first then collapsed the caliper. when done pumped new fluid thru the bleeders til new came out. Done
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
clean all around the pistons with a paint brush
open bleeder, (with tubing to direct spluge)
push in pistons
close bleeder
this will expel the dirtiest of the fluid
top off reservoir
mike
open bleeder, (with tubing to direct spluge)
push in pistons
close bleeder
this will expel the dirtiest of the fluid
top off reservoir
mike
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 447
Likes: 11
From: Bronxville ny
You can go to pharmacy and get a small syphon tube similar to eye dropper. First remove some fluid from master cylinder and do the brakes as usual. refill master cylinder. Bleeding is not necessary but I would recommend it to flush out the old brake fluid as it calls for in the manual every 2 years.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,466
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
It's recommended that you remove the master cylinder cover and remove some of the fluid .... Do you know if there has been fluid added to the system over time? ... If so there could/would be more fluid than the master reservoir could handle.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
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From: Calgary eh
Wouldn't it be easier and less messy to replace the pads without opening the brake lines? That's what I did with mine, just take a large flat screwdriver and push the pistons back into the caliper before removing the old pads.
Once the brakes are back on then put a drain line on the bleeder and change the fluid. No mess no fuss.
Once the brakes are back on then put a drain line on the bleeder and change the fluid. No mess no fuss.
