Beware! Brake Pad Replacement Article
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Beware! Brake Pad Replacement Article
I was just browsing around the HD Forum Home page and clicked on an article regarding brake pad replacement on Touring Models. I've never changed the brake pads on my Tourer yet (although I've done hundreds of brake jobs on cars and bikes in the past) so I thought I'd read it for general information purposes.
That gets me to the reason for this post... I can't vouch for the accuracy/inaccuracy of the article in full because, like I said, I haven't done this job before; but I can tell you that there is one blantant error that I hope hasn't bitten anyone yet.
Here's a direct quote from the article. The part highlighted in red is erroneous.
"Step 5 -- Remove the Brake Pad and Clean the Pistons
Take out the brake pad on either side of the brake system by hand and discard it in an appropriate place and manner. Depress the brake pedal until all of the air has been forced out of the pistons and they're fully collapsed."
1st... If you were to depress the brake pedal (or lever) without the pads and something between the pads (like the rotor) you'd risk pushing the piston out of it's bore. What this should say is to "push the piston back into it's bore until it is fully bottomed" or something to that effect. It usually takes a clamp of some nature to accomplish this.
Additionally, there is no air (or at least there should be no air) to force out. What you are actually doing when you compress the piston is forcing the brake fluid in the caliper back into the master cylinder.
Hope this might save someone from the headache of unintentionally dislodging the brake caliper piston(s) from their bore. And on a broader note, although there sure is a lot of useful information out there, make sure it makes sense to you before you proceed. Don't follow it blindly.
That gets me to the reason for this post... I can't vouch for the accuracy/inaccuracy of the article in full because, like I said, I haven't done this job before; but I can tell you that there is one blantant error that I hope hasn't bitten anyone yet.
Here's a direct quote from the article. The part highlighted in red is erroneous.
"Step 5 -- Remove the Brake Pad and Clean the Pistons
Take out the brake pad on either side of the brake system by hand and discard it in an appropriate place and manner. Depress the brake pedal until all of the air has been forced out of the pistons and they're fully collapsed."
1st... If you were to depress the brake pedal (or lever) without the pads and something between the pads (like the rotor) you'd risk pushing the piston out of it's bore. What this should say is to "push the piston back into it's bore until it is fully bottomed" or something to that effect. It usually takes a clamp of some nature to accomplish this.
Additionally, there is no air (or at least there should be no air) to force out. What you are actually doing when you compress the piston is forcing the brake fluid in the caliper back into the master cylinder.
Hope this might save someone from the headache of unintentionally dislodging the brake caliper piston(s) from their bore. And on a broader note, although there sure is a lot of useful information out there, make sure it makes sense to you before you proceed. Don't follow it blindly.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Good catch 2black1s! You most likely save someone a headache. Was that a sticky or one of the written articles? I have read it somewhere too and I remember it conflicting with other postings or maybe the Lyndall service article so I was careful.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Port Deposit, Md
When you remove the pads insert something like a paint stirer or something a little thinner than the rotor and then depress the pedel untill the pistons are tight against it. This will allow you to clean the piston. Dirt and debri will build up on the piston and when you install the new pads you don't have to worry about the dirt going back up inside where the piston gose in.
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2005, 2010, brake, brakepad, davidson, harley, inspection, installation, machine, pad, performance, rear, repair, replacement, replacing, touring
