Installing Front Calipers

[wood-d]

I was installing my front wheel after replacing the tire and came upon a ‘trick’ that can simplify installation of the brake calipers. It’s a pretty tight fit to get the calipers over the rotor.

I found that by pinching the tops of the brake pads like this ...



The pads open like this ...



which simplifies getting the caliper over the rotor. Hopefully, this is of value to someone. Note, these pads have 18K on them, so if you have pads with more meat, it might not help as much.

[Mr. Deltoid]

Oh my...My sledge hammer method is officially sh%? canned. Thanks for the tip.

[chewie]

cheers - good tip!

[kpolito99]

Those pads look pretty meaty for 18,000 miles... .. . do you use the rear brake exclusively?

[Sideshow_S]

I got 65K on the stock pads, with sport riding often and never using the rear brake, lest I be stopping at a red light on a hill. 18K is nothing unless they are aftermarket. The EBC's only lasted 25K.

[AndrewA]

Nice tip wood mister!

I'd add that after you pinch them, put them back on the rotor. rotate back and forth horizontally to really open them up.

[wswartzwel]

And be sure to squeeze the lever after assembly, a few times before you really need to use them

[kpolito99]

Originally Posted by Sideshow_S

I got 65K on the stock pads, with sport riding often and never using the rear brake, lest I be stopping at a red light on a hill. 18K is nothing unless they are aftermarket. The EBC's only lasted 25K.

Maybe my girl friend needs to go on a diet. My 99 S has 20K on the original pads and they are half the thickness of your set. I just purchased a new set of Galfers and am planning to install the Speigler SS lines and flush the entire system before putting the plastic back on.

[wswartzwel]

Originally Posted by Sideshow_S

I got 65K on the stock pads, with sport riding often and never using the rear brake, lest I be stopping at a red light on a hill. 18K is nothing unless they are aftermarket. The EBC's only lasted 25K.

Yeah.. but you also use wildlife to stop your bike...

[throttlemeister]

Originally Posted by Sideshow_S

I got 65K on the stock pads, with sport riding often and never using the rear brake, lest I be stopping at a red light on a hill. 18K is nothing unless they are aftermarket. The EBC's only lasted 25K.

How do you do that?? 65k miles = 104.000km. I wear through a set of front pads in 15.000km aka just under 10k miles. Maybe we have different ideas on sport riding or you don't have turns requiring braking.

[RBMann]

Originally Posted by throttlemeister

How do you do that?? 65k miles = 104.000km. I wear through a set of front pads in 15.000km aka just under 10k miles. Maybe we have different ideas on sport riding or you don't have turns requiring braking.

You probable don't ride much in areas like this-



RB

[wood-d]

Originally Posted by kpolito99

Those pads look pretty meaty for 18,000 miles... .. . do you use the rear brake exclusively?

As a matter of fact, no. I rarely use the rear brake as mine are linked. The more unbelievable part of this is that 99+% of these miles are commuting to work on back roads. 9 traffic lights, 6 stop signs, 12 miles. I'm surprised at how much is left myself.

[Guest24]

Do you use a lot of engine braking?

[Sideshow_S]

I do use a lot of engine braking. I've had people tell me that they think my brake light has a problem because they don't see it unless I'm at a stop light. I have the occasional trail-braking oops-too-fast-going-in braking which I would expect would be the worst for the pads. But I was surprised at 65K myself. Sure, a bit of slab is included, but easily half of that was definitely not easy on the brakepads.

I thought that maybe the PO replaced the pads before I bought it with 23K on it. But I pulled the pads and "9-5-99" was printed on the back of the plates. Dizznang!

[PFFOG]

Originally Posted by Sideshow_S

I do use a lot of engine braking. I've had people tell me that they think my brake light has a problem because they don't see it unless I'm at a stop light. I have the occasional trail-braking oops-too-fast-going-in braking which I would expect would be the worst for the pads. But I was surprised at 65K myself. Sure, a bit of slab is included, but easily half of that was definitely not easy on the brakepads.

................. Dizznang!

Same here, but toss in 20+ Track days. I never use the rear, but with the linked system rears were worn out at 22K. I checked the fronts 2 weeks ago @ 29K and there is at least 15-20K more in them.

[throttlemeister]

Amazing. Just amazing.

[JimMoore]

Cool tip!