Changing Mountain Bike Brake Pads Video
Changing Mountain Bike Brake Pads Video – best practices for ultimate performance.
How-To text & video.
Brakes are a critical component to the health and safety of yourself and other trail users. If you have any doubts about your skills or your end work contact a professional mechanic and do not ride the bike.
What You Need
Allen and/or torx wrenches. New brake pads. Window Cleaner as well as a rag. Additionally have a small amount of fluid and container for bubble bleed. More fluid and a bleed kit, particularly if you plan a full flush.
What You Do
Ensure all pistons are move equally when the brake is applied. Sticky or cocked pistons need to be addressed.
Next level the brake lever with the ground to minimize your potential mess. I suggest putting a pencil mark to on the bar at the brake clamp split to ease returning to your ideal position.
Open the bleed port on the lever. This is critical to minimize stress on the brake bladder when you drive the pistons back into the caliper because of the fluid pushed back towards the lever.
Keep the old pads in place to protect the pistons when you drive them back into the caliper. Brake pistons are extremely brittle and may crack or chip if pressure is uneven. I’ve never seen a piston have an issue when the pad is kept in place.
When the pistons have been pushed in enough to clear the larger new pads with the rotor remove the old pads. Install the new pads. Use any springs or hardware included with the new pads. It’s not worth the hassle of breakage from a tired component…
Pump the brake lever to reset the piston position. Align the brake caliper as required. A quick lever bubble bleed as necessary ensures a great feeling brake lever.
Replace the bleed port. Clean the lever with window cleaner wherever fluid may have pushed through.
Check Your Work
Ride the bike in a safe area to bed in the new pads ensuring appropriate power and bite. Above all if you have any questions stop and find a competent resource. After all malfunctioning brakes are extremely dangerous.
Not comfortable working on critical systems on your bike? You’re not alone, which is why we have an unmatched service department here in order to help you with any maintenance you require.
*BikeCo.com takes no responsibility for your mechanical aptitude. If you have ANY doubts about your mechanical ability we suggest using a competent resource for bike service. These tips are posted to help riders with specific issues. In the event you are unable to competently diagnose your issue use a qualified resource. All systems should be tested and confirmed safe prior to resuming normal riding.