Check & change your brake pads?

Steps

1. 1
   1

   Inspect the pad wear

   With the wheel still on, look through the caliper at the friction material on each pad. If the lining is down to roughly 2 mm or less, or below the manufacturer's minimum, or worn unevenly, replace the pads as a set. Check the disc for deep scoring or a pronounced lip while you're there.

   

   Warning
2. 2
   2

   Support the bike & remove the caliper

   Support the bike securely so the wheel is unloaded. Undo the two caliper mounting bolts and lift the caliper straight off the disc. Support its weight — let it hang on the brake hose and you risk damaging the line.◆2·1

   

   Warning
3. 3
   3

   Remove pads, clean the caliper & push the pistons back

   Withdraw the pad-retaining pins/clips and slide the old pads out. Clean the caliper body and piston faces with brake cleaner. Then gently push the pistons fully back into their bores with a piston tool or C-clamp to make room for the thicker new pads — watch the fluid level in the reservoir as you do.

   

   Warning
4. 4
   4

   Fit the new pads

   Apply a thin smear of copper grease to the backing plates and pin contact points only — never on the friction face or disc. Slot the new pads into the caliper and refit the retaining pins/clips so the pads sit square and move freely.

   

5. 5
   5

   Refit the caliper to torque

   Slide the caliper back over the disc (it should drop on cleanly now the pistons are retracted), start both mounting bolts by hand, then tighten to the manufacturer's torque spec with a torque wrench. Confirm the disc spins freely without binding.

   

6. 6
   6

   Pump the lever & bed in

   Pump the brake lever/pedal repeatedly until it goes firm — the first pulls take up the gap you created retracting the pistons, so do this before you move the bike. Re-check the fluid level. Then bed the pads in with a series of gentle stops from low speed, building up gradually.

   

   Danger

Fits these bikes

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