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Snackbar64
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As I read the service manual it seems that this is a simple task. It also mentions bleeding the brakes. Is this necessary? What is that procedure for? Is changing the brakes something that needs to be done by the dealer, or can I do it myself, without lifting the bike, or removing the wheels? What should I be careful of? Thanks.
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Lovematt
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You should be able to do this with the bike on the kick stand...that is how I did it last time. The front can be a little tricky getting the pads out but take your time and it should be fine.

One thing you should definitely avoid is to squeeze the brake lever or pedal once the pads are out...the pistons can be a pain to get back away from the disk to fit the new pads in...you may find you might have to do this anyways since the new pads may be a bit thicker than the old ones.

I actually do press the lever/pedal just a little bit to clean the piston off. Dirt gets in there over time and since the pads are wearing...the pistons move farther out all the time. I have found that pushing it out a bit farther, cleaning it good, and then pushing it in to get the new pads in makes it not stick. Otherwise you may be pushing dirt into the moving parts if you just take out the old pads, shove the pistons back in, and put the new pads on without cleaning anything.

Bleeding the brakes should be done from time to time anyways since all hydraulic fluids tend to pick up dirt, water, and they loose the lubrication properties over time too. The idea is to flush out the system and replace the fluid with new stuff. Another reason for doing this is to get rid of a mushy pedal/lever feel due to air bubbles in the system. Air compresses but the fluid does not...thereby giving that lack of a solid feel when applying the brakes.
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Snackbar64
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks Lovematt, I haven't replaced the brakes since I bought the bike new in august of 03 and you and I have the exact same bike.

Are there any special tools that I will need to accomplish this?
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Lovematt
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hmmm...lets see.

You may find some seizing of the parts so I suggest making sure you have antiseize. Otherwise from what I remember you should use good quality tools to keep from stripping things out.

I also lightly tap the mounting bolts for the caliper to try and loosen things up a bit before unbolting them. I use a small phillips screw driver and a small hammer in the Torx/Allen bolt heads and kind of tap 4-5 times...then slowly start loosening them up.

Make sure everything is really clean when you put it back together and put antisieze (or a very small amount of grease) where applicable but think about where that part is relative to the pads...you don't want to lube your brakes!

When I am almost done I make sure to clean the disk with brake cleaner and then cross sand the disk with 80 grit sand paper. First at a 45 degree one way and then 90 degrees from the first direction. I would say maybe 30-45 seconds for each direction on each disk. Seems to help with bedding in the pads.

Finally I would make sure you double check everything and try the brakes just pushing the bike to make sure they work on a basic level.
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Jessicasdad
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I just did mine this past weekend (04 XB12R) the only "special" tool was an 8mm wrench for the bleeders..
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Roc
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 12:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Metric and standard allen set, inch pounds torque wrench, standard screw deiver, big c-clamp/vice grips or similar tool to compress the rear piston, big snap ring pliers or similar tool to spread the front caliper - with the old pads in - and compress the front caliper pistons.

Maybe there is an easier way to do this, but that is what I use.
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Buellistic
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 02:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sounds your using the same special tools that "i" use !!!
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