Brake Pads
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Staten Island New York
Brake Pads
I need to change the brake pads in my 77'. What is the best way to do it. Should I pull both pads out of the caliper, then put the new ones in. Or is it easier to pull one pad and slide the new one in. And then pull the other one and then put the that pad in... Did I explained right..lol
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Well ...It is slightly more involved than pulling out a pad and dropping a new one in....especially if the caliper is still attached.
Reason being is that your old pads are thinner...and you trying to put a thicker pad in will not just go in.
So...if you are trying to do this with the caliper mounted in place...you will need to remove the master cylinder cap and try to get the piston to go back into the caliper...then install the pad.
And having the special tools that hold the pistons back does work...or a very thin sheet of metal that you can use to aid 'shoe horning' in the pad.. Do one pad at a time....and....do not be surprised that when you do this your master cylinder might be quite full due to pushing fluid back into it. So some may need to be removed.
DUB
Reason being is that your old pads are thinner...and you trying to put a thicker pad in will not just go in.
So...if you are trying to do this with the caliper mounted in place...you will need to remove the master cylinder cap and try to get the piston to go back into the caliper...then install the pad.
And having the special tools that hold the pistons back does work...or a very thin sheet of metal that you can use to aid 'shoe horning' in the pad.. Do one pad at a time....and....do not be surprised that when you do this your master cylinder might be quite full due to pushing fluid back into it. So some may need to be removed.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Staten Island New York
Yes, I'm going to remove master cylinder cover and siphon out some fluid. I don't have the special tool. I'm going to use a very thin scraper to push the piston back and shoe horn the pad in place... But, do I pull both of the old pads out and then put the new ones in. Or Pull one pad out and slide a new pad in, then do the next one...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Here's the best way to do it:
Work on calipers one at a time; before you remove the pads, put a piece of plastic tubing on the bleeder valve [and into a drain can] and crack it open a bit (leave the little box wrench on the valve); push the [old] pads apart so you can make room for the new ones...this will push [old] brake fluid out of the caliper; as soon as the pads are apart, snug down the bleeder valve; remove old pads, insert new pads. If all goes as expected, finish up on that caliper and move to another.
The intent is to discharge the old, nasty fluid AND make room for the thicker pads. You want to lock down the bleeder valve before the fluid 'backs up' and takes any air into the system If you do this right, there is no need to bleed the brakes or to top off the master cylinder until all of the calipers are done.
Work on calipers one at a time; before you remove the pads, put a piece of plastic tubing on the bleeder valve [and into a drain can] and crack it open a bit (leave the little box wrench on the valve); push the [old] pads apart so you can make room for the new ones...this will push [old] brake fluid out of the caliper; as soon as the pads are apart, snug down the bleeder valve; remove old pads, insert new pads. If all goes as expected, finish up on that caliper and move to another.
The intent is to discharge the old, nasty fluid AND make room for the thicker pads. You want to lock down the bleeder valve before the fluid 'backs up' and takes any air into the system If you do this right, there is no need to bleed the brakes or to top off the master cylinder until all of the calipers are done.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 11
From: Staten Island New York
I was looking at the clips on a vender site, how do they work.... Do you pull the old pad out and then put the clip in the caliper. Push back the piston and clip it over the top of the caliper. And then slide the new pad in and remove the clip????
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Here's the best way to do it:
Work on calipers one at a time; before you remove the pads, put a piece of plastic tubing on the bleeder valve [and into a drain can] and crack it open a bit (leave the little box wrench on the valve); push the [old] pads apart so you can make room for the new ones...this will push [old] brake fluid out of the caliper; as soon as the pads are apart, snug down the bleeder valve; remove old pads, insert new pads. If all goes as expected, finish up on that caliper and move to another.
The intent is to discharge the old, nasty fluid AND make room for the thicker pads. You want to lock down the bleeder valve before the fluid 'backs up' and takes any air into the system If you do this right, there is no need to bleed the brakes or to top off the master cylinder until all of the calipers are done.
Work on calipers one at a time; before you remove the pads, put a piece of plastic tubing on the bleeder valve [and into a drain can] and crack it open a bit (leave the little box wrench on the valve); push the [old] pads apart so you can make room for the new ones...this will push [old] brake fluid out of the caliper; as soon as the pads are apart, snug down the bleeder valve; remove old pads, insert new pads. If all goes as expected, finish up on that caliper and move to another.
The intent is to discharge the old, nasty fluid AND make room for the thicker pads. You want to lock down the bleeder valve before the fluid 'backs up' and takes any air into the system If you do this right, there is no need to bleed the brakes or to top off the master cylinder until all of the calipers are done.
Opening up the bleeders is the way to go...BUT....if a person has a hiccup and allows air to get sucked into the caliper...then they need to be bled.I also did not mention this method due to I have had more bleeders that were screwed up due to someone previously not using a six point 5/16" socket or six point 5/16" box end wrench...that IF I go to loosen then and see that they are seized...that opens up ANOTHER door where problems can begin.
So...that is why I mentioned allowing the fluid to go back to the master cylinder. And yes getting some of the fluid out of the caliper is good...it does very little as an improvement IF the rest of the system is dirty fluid.
DUB
