Instructions for Changing ATV Brake Pads
Many people, from adrenaline junkies to outdoor sportsmen, enjoy rolling around the great outdoors in their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). These four-wheeled mini-vehicles make it possible to cross areas that regular cars and trucks can't go, and they also make it possible for riders to test the limits of their stunt-driving abilities. The brakes are one of the parts on an ATV that bear the brunt of this intense riding, and changing worn-out brakes is an important part of keeping your ATV in good riding condition.
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Things You'll Need
- Vehicle jack
- Adjustable wrench
- Socket set
- Power drill
- Torque wrench
- ATV-specific repair manual
- Flat head screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Hammer (optional)
- Vise grips
- Replacement brake pads or brake shoes
- Brake cleaner
- Old blanket
- Replacement cotter pin
Instructions
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Disc Brakes
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1
Unscrew the lug nuts with a socket. Leave one or two of them on each tire, but make them loose enough for removal by hand.
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2
Use a jack to lift the ATV. Remove the remaining lug nuts and the tires.
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3
Locate the brake pad fasteners; these are bolts located on the outside of the caliper. The caliper is the crescent-shaped metal piece hugging the large round rotor. Loosen the brake pad fastener bolts with an adjustable wrench but don't remove them.
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4
Remove the caliper. This is usually attached by two small bolts but don't confuse these bolts for those that fasten the brake pad.
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5
Remove the old brake pads then slide the new brake pads into place.
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6
Replace the brake caliper and tighten the bolts. Read your ATV owner's manual to check the torque specifications for your ATV model then torque the bolts accordingly.
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7
Retighten the brake pad fasteners and reinstall the tires. Tighten the lug nuts then use the jack to lower the ATV to the ground.
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8
Read your ATV owner's manual to check the torque specifications for your ATV model then torque the wheel lug nuts accordingly.
Drum Brakes
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9
Place an old blanket under the brakes so you don't get brake fluid all over the floor as you work.
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10
Unscrew the lug nuts with a socket. Leave one or two of them on each tire but make them loose enough to remove by hand.
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11
Use a jack to lift the ATV. Remove the remaining lug nuts and the tires.
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12
Remove the dust cap from the brake drum using a flat head screwdriver. Remove the cotter pin using a pair of needle-nose pliers and remove any retaining screws that were under the cap.
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13
Remove the upper and lower portions of the drum. Wiggle the drum, or if the shoes are pressed tightly against the inside, gently tap around the outside with a hammer.
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14
Use vise grips to remove the retaining springs and brake shoe anchors.
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15
Replace the old brake shoes with new ones and attach them to the shoe anchors. Clean the wheel cylinder with brake cleaner.
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16
Replace the springs and drum. Put a new cotter pin back in and bend the ends in opposite directions. Replace the dust cap.
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17
Retighten the brake pad fasteners and replace the tires. Tighten the lug nuts then use the jack to lower the ATV to the ground.
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18
Read your ATV owner's manual to check the torque specifications for your ATV model then torque the wheel lug nuts accordingly.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Drum brakes are only found on older model ATVs, and they are much more complicated to change than disc brakes. To ensure accurate replacement of your drum brake shoes, refer to the owner's manual or model-specific repair manual for your ATV.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit atvs - quads race image by muro from Fotolia.com
