How to Replace the Front Brake Pads on a Harley
Harley Davidson motorcycles from 1982 on use a front brake caliper that has two main pieces--the caliper and the pad holder. The brake calipers should always be inspected prior to riding for leaks at the hoses or caliper piston. It is an easy check but important since leaks do happen. If brake fluid leaks on the pads or rotor, the brakes can lock up, when applied, making life interesting momentarily.
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Things You'll Need
- 3/8-inch drive Allen bit set
- 3/8-inch drive ratchet
- Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets
- Bottle of DOT 5 brake fluid
- Vacuum hose line 12 inches long and ¼-inch in diameter
- Common screwdriver
- Adjustable pliers
Instructions
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1
Remove the two Allen screws securing the brake caliper to the mounting point on the fork. Lift the caliper off the rotor. Remove the retaining screw and the inner pad retainer followed by the inner brake pad.
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2
Remove the outer pad holder, spring clip and pad as an assembly. Push the outer pad free of the spring clip to remove it. Hang the caliper by a suitable wire or bungee cord.
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3
Remove the master cylinder cap with a common screwdriver. Loosen the bleeder screw on the brake caliper and install the vacuum hose on the bleeder screw. Squeeze the brake caliper piston back into its bore with the adjustable pliers. Remove the vacuum hose and tighten the bleeder screw.
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4
Fill the master cylinder and install the cap. Install the spring clip to the outer pad holder. Making sure the insulator is facing up, push the pad under the spring and the bottom of the pad into the outer pad holder. Place the outer pad holder into the caliper and insert the securing bolts enough to hold the pad holder in place.
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5
Insert the inner pad, without the insulator, into the recess in the caliper. Install the pad retainer from the rear and the retaining screw. Thread the retaining screw through the pad retainer and into the inner pad. Lower the brake caliper over the rotor and align it with the lower fork retaining lugs and insert the caliper securing bolts and tighten.
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