Author Topic: Dissassembling the front brake caliper... (Read 4147 times)

Lumbee · « **on:** January 11, 2006, 06:57:59 AM »

...how do I do it. I pulled everything apart down to the caliper itself. Now how do I get the pad to come out so I can get to all the stuff behind it???

78 k550 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:17:20 AM »

While the caliper is off the rotor squeeze the front brake and the pressure should push out the piston.

Paul

eldar · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:22:02 AM »

I find that is the easiest method. Others use low pressure compressed air but you need to shoot the puck into a towel to catch it unless your are replacing it. I think most just squeeze the lever. Just be ready for the rush of old, crusty brake fluid!

Lumbee · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:29:44 AM »

...I already dissembled the hose and MC

Is there any easy way now that its apart (no air compressor either)? If not I'll throw it back together and put enough fluid in it to push it out...

eldar · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:31:50 AM »

Well if enough of the pad is out, you might grip it with some vice-grips. Otherwise nothing else comes to mind right now. If you are able to wait till afternoon, then you might get another answer from someone else.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:34:18 AM »

I had the same issue. I used a small grease gun. Removed the head and carefully threaded a couple of threads into the caliper hose opening. Not too much, just a thread or so, because they don't match. Do this with the bleed valve tight, and a couple squeezes and it eased the piston and pad right out.

eldar · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:48:16 AM »

See I knew someone had another way. Boy that caliper must have been greasy!

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2006, 08:29:12 AM »

Quote

See I knew someone had another way. Boy that caliper must have been greasy!

Oh yeah! Was in need of a good cleaning anyway, what's a little more crap.

Teach · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2006, 08:47:11 AM »

I had to replace my pistons anyway, so I used a pair of pliers to get them out. It probably would be easier to reassemble the MC and hose, though...The grease fitting idea sounds good too.

grumburg · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2006, 01:09:14 PM »

Just popped to pistons out of 2 calipers last Saturday with pump grease gun. Took longer to find my grease fitting than it did to pop them out (5 minutes).

Clyde · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2006, 03:09:55 PM »

Try water pressure from a hose. This only good if the piston was working OK before you pulled it apart.
Regds Clyde
PS Wear a wetsuit or raincoat

Lumbee · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2006, 05:26:52 PM »

...repressurized it with brake fluid and it just popped out. Reassembled with a new stainless hose and just spent the last hour trying to bleed it. Finally gave up...will reset and give it a whirl tommorrow...

Lumbee · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2006, 08:13:40 PM »

...quick question, I am using a custom stainless line from Hel. I didn't use the "elbow" thats on the stock bike. Does this peice serve any purpose? I'm wondering if thats why I was having problems bleeding it...

csendker · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:04:53 PM »

I can't see that it does anything technical other than provide a rigid pipe adjacent to the wheel hub.

Lumbee · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:10:51 AM »

...busted my hump last night trying to bleed by brake with not success...archives say to read this article:

http://sohc4.us/node/50

...but this link doesn't work...where can I find this article?

Jim Shea · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:29:15 AM »

Have a look here. http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=743.0
and.. http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/bleeder.htm might be of use?
Jim.

Lumbee · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2006, 07:24:10 AM »

...while bleeding does it matter if the cap is on or off the MC?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2006, 07:27:26 AM »

On, if for no other reason you will get a little geyser of brake fluid squirting into the air when pumping, which of course will end up in all the wrong places.

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2006, 07:29:48 AM »

I'm with Bob. I always leave it off so that I can see the level - but beware the jet of fluid if you squeeze the lever a little too hard...

Magpie · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2006, 08:01:54 PM »

Here's a trick that has worked for me on a couple of bikes - once you've had it trying to bleed it, pull in the brake lever and bungy or tape it "on" to the bars and leave it over night. The bubbles in the line will rise to the top and exit into the master cylinder.
Cheers,
Cliff.

Lumbee · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2006, 08:11:52 PM »

...touche' my dear Magpie...as we speak the brake is zip tied back...will report back this weekend...

Lumbee · « **Reply #21 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:56:07 AM »

...dang it! Went out this morning and cut the zip tie and nothin...nada...zilch! No pressure what so ever. Uhhhghggg!!!!!

750K4 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 13, 2006, 06:15:18 AM »

Try this. It always works for me.

Remove the brake line from the master cylinder.
Look to make sure there's fluid in the m/c. If not fill it up. Do not let it go completely out.
Put your finger over the opening where the hose you removed threaded in. Hold it tight to resist the pressure.
With the other hand, pump the brake lever to build pressure. "Burp" the air out of the m/c by looseneing your finger ever so slightly and then reapplying pressure. Do this a few times or until you aren't getting any more air.
Reattach the brake line. Don't worry if some fluid runs out of the m/c.
Bleed normally at the caliper to remove any remaining air.

I'd suggest covering nearby painted parts of the bike (tank, frame, etc.) with a towel, plastic sheet, etc 'cause brake fluid loves to eat paint.

dusterdude · « **Reply #23 on:** January 13, 2006, 09:54:20 AM »

buy or borrow a hand operated vacuum pump,works like a charm no muss no fuss and no cussing

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #24 on:** January 13, 2006, 12:28:15 PM »

750K4 - that's the first time I've heard anyone (else) admit to the finger/burp method. I've used it for 30 years!

Loosen the bleed nipple, place thumb over the hole, squeeze the lever slowly (with the other hand), catch brake fluid in a pot. Repeat until no more "burps" of air.

News:

Author Topic: Dissassembling the front brake caliper... (Read 4147 times)

eldar

eldar

eldar

Teach

Jim Shea

750K4