How do you know when it's time for brake pads?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Bama
How do you know when it's time for brake pads?
2010 Street Glide
I bought my SG used from an individual, but I had the dealer check it out for me. They said the brake pads would need changing soon. Over the last few weeks I have noticed a slight change in the front brake lever . It feels like I have to pull it once , release and then pull again to have the same stiff feel as before. I look at the sight glass and it has fluid.
When I looked at the pads they looked thin but new ones are thin as well. Is there steps to take to measure the pads to tell if they need replacing?
Is there any special things that need to be known to change them or is it just a matter of removing the caliper, swap the pads out and reinstall the caliper?
If so, it looks like everyone likes Lyndel Z over stock and EBC.
Thanks
Rick
I bought my SG used from an individual, but I had the dealer check it out for me. They said the brake pads would need changing soon. Over the last few weeks I have noticed a slight change in the front brake lever . It feels like I have to pull it once , release and then pull again to have the same stiff feel as before. I look at the sight glass and it has fluid.
When I looked at the pads they looked thin but new ones are thin as well. Is there steps to take to measure the pads to tell if they need replacing?
Is there any special things that need to be known to change them or is it just a matter of removing the caliper, swap the pads out and reinstall the caliper?
If so, it looks like everyone likes Lyndel Z over stock and EBC.
Thanks
Rick
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Yep, it's rear in the vid, but you get the idea.
Oh, and I still like the HD pads.
To each their own.
Oh, and I still like the HD pads.
To each their own.
Last edited by TheGrandPoohBah; May 27, 2014 at 06:42 PM. Reason: Pad Preference
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 323
Likes: 5
From: MA
Check on the pads, but it sounds like by the doubling pulling that you got air in the system as well?
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 3
From: Portage, IN
I would change those pads in the video too..I also would wrap something around the pipe and the chrome bag support to protect. One thing I did not see checked or anything done with (if harley uses them..I'm not familiar) is the slide pins making sure they move freely and freshly cleaned and lubed with pin slide grease. Depending on the mileage on the bike you may wanna flush the fluid with fresh and then bleeding the line. Would also be nice if they showed compressing the pistons when installing new pads. Finally before taking off for a ride you should activate the brake lever to get the fluid in the caliper to avoid a "no brake" situation on first few applications of the brakes..
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
Also don't ever add fluid between pad changes. If you do when they are wore out and you change the pads the master cylinder will be to full. When you use the brakes the fluid will expand from heat and apply more brake making more heat until something gets to hot and catches fire.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
As long as there is pad material there, you are ok. Push it too far, and you'll have the backing plate of the pad grinding the rotor, destroying it. Generally speaking, once the pad is down around 2-3 mm, you want to replace it. Trying to eek out the last bit of use generally isn't worthwhile. Many will replace it earlier, which causes no harm.