I Broke My Brake

[Guest]

Hi all,

I didn't really break anything, but I did neglect to check some brake pads in a timely manner. I thought I heard some funny noises from the back wheel on the way home last night. Sure enough, there were some really shiny bands on my rear rotor.




Here's a view of the other side.



So I popped off the plastic cover on top and saw, indeed, there was no pad left. (Sorry for the lousy pictures. This is my "just in case" camera.)



So it looks like my next pictorial maintenance guide will be entitled "How To Replace Brake Pads".

As the fronts have plenty of wear left, it seems the PO used the rear brake almost exclusively. But I'm thinking I'll just play it safe and replace front and rear at the same time.

I had to take my truck into work today, with the temperature 72 and just a few clouds in the sky.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[hampshirehog]

If you're gonna split the whole caliper apart make sure you don't lose the little seal on the fluid pathway between the 2 halves. If I had a dollar for every time I've lost that little bugger.............(you'd think I'd learn).

[waterman]

In your write up you may also want to illustrate method of removing and replacing rear brake disk. How bad is the damage to that rotor, it looks pretty scraped up.

If not too bad, I would surface with some sand paper to save your new pads. While you have wheel off, don't forget to lube splines on shaft drive. Get her done, we don't want you to miss your nice weather (some of us are under 40 degrees with rain today).

[DanTheMan]

Well, your rotor looks almost like mine. I replaced the rear pads last year before my ride to CA. I think the PO of my bike also used the rear brake most....:-D

[79-GS550-L]

anybody know how much to torque the caliper halves when reassembling (for both front and back, if different)? They're bolted together really tightly. I couldn't find specs in the book.

[BassCliff]

Thanks for the tips!

How bad is the damage to that rotor, it looks pretty scraped up.

If not too bad, I would surface with some sand paper to save your new pads. While you have wheel off, don't forget to lube splines on shaft drive.

Thanks for the input guys. The rotor looks worse than it actually is. It's still very smooth to the touch but hitting it with some sandpaper sounds like a good idea. I have another rear wheel with a good rotor, just in case. And I'll try not to lose "that little seal". :shock:

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[BassCliff]

EBC pads?

Just one quick question. Are the EBC (FA36) pads OK? Thanks.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[waterman]

According to Dennis kirk, EBC FA36 is correct part. Believe it or not, but I bought a set of rear pads for mine at autozone, this was several year ago though. Check locally before order, may save yourself time.

[tone]

Ebc pads are ok but i prefer to use either ferodo or dunlopads as they tend to give a sharper brake which i prefer,they do wear the disc slightly more than ebc pads but lets face it we need all the help we can get with 80's brakes :-D

[Greg O.]

For better braking try Maxi Pads:-D\\/

I'm sorry for that there.

Greg O