removing the rear brake pins

[emcf]

evening all,

i've got the rear brake caliper off the bike and am trying to remove the brake pads. the pins that hold them in are a bit corroded and i can't seem to remove them. i've got penetrating spray but it is not having that great an effect. any tips on how to get them out?

[SDMF]

Remember there should be an 'R' clip holding each pin in place- have you got these out yet?

Then I usually get the long nose pliers out- and give the pins a twist and they come out easy after that.

hth

[Sid Squid]

Self locking grips as close to the far end of the pins as you can get, carefully wiggle them back and forth to get them moving, take great care not to break them.
Failing that, drill holes smaller than the diameter of the pins in the blind end of the caliper and drift them out with a slim punch. Sometimes splitting the caliper and thus being able to grip the pins right next to where they enter the blind holes, ('cos the pads aren't in the way), allows you to twist them sufficiently to move them before they spiral enough to snap.

[Razor]

Drill the opposite side and knock them out with a pin punch if you're struggling.
I've never had to go that far but a few other folk have.

[Ter]

Split the caliper,

watch out that you don't lose any seals,

wiggle the pins out with your hands (I find sometimes molegrips can leave marks!),

Then drill out the rear side to allow future access (if you can be bothered),

Clean pins (I use brake fluid or petrol with a old toothbrush),

Replace calipers halves,

Insert new pads and bleed (not you but the system).

Nothing wrong with replacing your fluids at the same time as the pads huh?

;)

[emcf]

thanks for the responses folks.

SDMF - i did have the R clips off but with me and mechanical things it is always worth pointing out the obvious!

Sid & Razor - thanks, self grips didn't do the trick so i am halfway through drilling out the back but have had to stop just now for the neighbours' sake.

Ter - splitting it is what i wanted to avoid as i wasn't sure how well i'd be able to get it back together. and i am replacing the brake lines with ss braided lines so have the rear lines drained anyway!

related question - i have bought halfords dot 4 racing brake fluid...it mentions cars on the rear but not bikes - have i bought the wrong stuff?

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.

Don't drill a hole any larger than 1/8, or 3.2 mm as this will still leave an adequate shoulder for the pin to go against as the pins are around 5.5mm in diameter.

I always resort to this method, if 'Mole grips' don't work, & I grind a slight taper on the tip of the pin before re installing them, this with the application of some decent high temperature 'copperslip' usually ensures that they don't seize again.

Cheers.