Rear brake pad retaining pins.

Hi,
Currently have bike in bits.
Replacing rear pads + disk. I've got to the stage where I need to remove retaining pins, but they won't budge. Should they spin? is there an easy way to remove the pins? thanks

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by mikebrooman

I've got to the stage where I need to remove retaining pins, but they won't budge.
Should they spin? Yes but they wont because they'll be seized.
is there an easy way to remove the pins? thanks

There's a few things you can try to get them out. It's been covered loads of times on here, try the search function

is there any way of getting the pins out without splittling the caliper???

[dirtydog]

you could try mole grips to try and twist them but they're likely to be knackered afterwards (the pins not the grips). I did this before and got 1 pin out, the other snapped

I used a small blow torch (chefs sized one), some 3-in-1 oil, and a stud extractor set.
Heat the caliper around the pins (be careful!), very carefully apply the oil (avoiding any braking surfaces) to the pins where they go into the caliper. Repeat a couple of times. Use the stud extractor set to rotate the pins and pull back as you do so. If they don't budge, repeat the first steps and try again. I was able to reuse my pins but put a dollop of copper grease on before they went back.
Good luck, and be careful!

My dad had this problem. after 2 hours, we had both pins out. without the need for drilling or cutting

My dad used alot of heat, and got some molegrips on the pins and just wiggled. Heat, wiggling. and some WD40. wiggle wiggle, eventuialy there was some movement. encouraged, he wiggled and heated and lubricated more and more

and eventualy, they came free.

Originally Posted by svrich

I used a small blow torch (chefs sized one), some 3-in-1 oil, and a stud extractor set.
Heat the caliper around the pins (be careful!)

be careful of what? the heat buring me or something that shouldn't be heated near the pins?

So mole grips, heat, wd40 and patience?

Originally Posted by mikebrooman

So mole grips, heat, wd40 and patience?

In a nut shell...yea

get some music on to help get you through. Once they come out, then clean them up (rub them down a bit with some emory paper or something? my dad put mine on a grinding wheel and lightly lightly cleaned them up that way), and put on copper grease before re-assembling. Then next time you need to service the brakes, everythign will come out

While you have the caliper off, why not pop the pistons out, clean them up, put on new dust seals and some red rubber grease. Fresh fluid too. mmm lovely back brake

Yep, the heat gets me ever time. The caliper holds the heat very well!