Completely draining brakes and adding new fluid / bleeding etc.

I might as well service the caliper seals etc while I'm at it.

Does anyone fancy doing an idiot proof guide to what to do?



All I wanted to do was pop the pads out, give the pistons a bit of a spray with brake cleaner and bob's your uncle.

Instead I had to go and buy tool to get the ruddy calipers off, then when I sprayed cleaner onto the pistons and pushed two in, a third popped straight out, air in the system, brake fluid everywhere etc.

I'm way out of my depth

That's either a lot of brake fluid or you're really short.

Try to keep your head up and paddle gently to a shallower area.

crack the bleed nipple loose on the calipers, push the pistons back in (look out for squirting brake fluid), top up reservoir, nip up bleed nipples. If you're lucky you have pushed all the air out, therwise, bleed the brakes. Jobs a good un. Have a search on here, theres been a few threads of rebuilding calipers.

You don't need to completely drain the lines and calipers to change the fluid.

Do the seals if you wish, but you shouldn't need to, read Druid's post in your other thread on the same subject as this one.

Once you have done that, push the pistons back into the caliper (it may be worth opening the bleed nipple to allow the air to escape that you have managed to get it as part of the faffing around you have done, keep an eye on what is coming out as you will need plenty of rags or blue tissue (Blue Centre Feed Paper 2 Ply 20cm x 150m Pack of 6 | Screwfix.com) to mop up the brake fluid.

Once you have done that, nip up the nipple gently, clean the discs with brake cleaner, install the new pads, refit the calipers and then prepare yourself to change the fluid and bleed the brakes.

Get an brake bleeding kit (Halfords | Europat Vizibleed Brake and Clutch Bleeding Kit) attach it to the kerbside bleed nipple, open the nipple 1/4 turn, open the reservoir, top up, and squeeze the brake lever, and repeat until no bubbles appear in the pipe between the caliper & bottle and the fluid is clear & clean, nip up the nipple.

Then repeat on the other side.

If you have someone to lend a hand, then you can just use a piece of clear hose into a bottle, but you need to squeeze, open, close, release

HTH

Originally Posted by Silly Car

You don't need to completely drain the lines and calipers to change the fluid.

Do the seals if you wish, but you shouldn't need to, read Druid's post in your other thread on the same subject as this one.

Once you have done that, push the pistons back into the caliper (it may be worth opening the bleed nipple to allow the air to escape that you have managed to get it as part of the faffing around you have done, keep an eye on what is coming out as you will need plenty of rags or blue tissue (Blue Centre Feed Paper 2 Ply 20cm x 150m Pack of 6 | Screwfix.com) to mop up the brake fluid.

Once you have done that, nip up the nipple gently, clean the discs with brake cleaner, install the new pads, refit the calipers and then prepare yourself to change the fluid and bleed the brakes.

Get an brake bleeding kit (Halfords | Europat Vizibleed Brake and Clutch Bleeding Kit) attach it to the kerbside bleed nipple, open the nipple 1/4 turn, open the reservoir, top up, and squeeze the brake lever, and repeat until no bubbles appear in the pipe between the caliper & bottle and the fluid is clear & clean, nip up the nipple.

Then repeat on the other side.

If you have someone to lend a hand, then you can just use a piece of clear hose into a bottle, but you need to squeeze, open, close, release

HTH

That's extremely helpful, liked and repped.

On the plus side, those sockets (with a bit of penetrating oil) pretty much immediately unfastened those otherwise impossible bolts. Top stuff as I'd bent a spanner on them previously!

This "spanner", did it come free with a pack of cheese?

Originally Posted by Big Pete

This "spanner", did it come free with a pack of cheese?

Nope, came with a 'tool kit' I got bought one Christmas about 5 years ago.. The full set (spanners, sockets, hammer, pliers, screwdrivers etc) was no more than about £20.


Most of the tools have broken since, except the ones I've not used yet

Glad you are on the way to getting the bike sorted.

Add the following to your birthday and Christmas list and accept nothing of a lower quality (that may sound harsh, but the cheesy spanner and adjustable could have rounded the heads off and you would be in deep shite tonight)

Spanners, ratchet spanners, 1/4 socket set, 3/8 socket set, 1/2 socket set, 2ft 1/2 breaker bar, 3/8 hex bits, 3/8 torx bits, allen keys and torx keys. 1/2 torque wrench and 3/8 torque wrench, 1/2 socket to suit rear spindle, hex driver to suit front spindle (I use multi sized one - can't find a link to it)

I prefer Halfords Pro, Clarke Pro and Draper Expert. Buy good quality once or shite several times...

There are other non-retail brands that others will recommend, but I reckon the above would stand you in good stead.

Originally Posted by vereor

Nope, came with a 'tool kit' I got bought one Christmas about 5 years ago.. The full set (spanners, sockets, hammer, pliers, screwdrivers etc) was no more than about £20.


Most of the tools have broken since, except the ones I've not used yet

There's a clue there. Actually more than one.

Originally Posted by vereor

Nope, came with a 'tool kit' I got bought one Christmas about 5 years ago.. The full set (spanners, sockets, hammer, pliers, screwdrivers etc) was no more than about £20.


Most of the tools have broken since, except the ones I've not used yet

You should give whats left to a small child. I've got screwdrivers that cost £20. Thats not to say that you need to spend a fortune on gear especially as tools prices have come down so far in the last 20 years, but £20 for a full set of gear means its made from recycled beer cans.

The only way to do this properly is to strip the calipers, clean behind the seals, check it all over and refit. Otherwise you'll be doing it again in double quick time and will have substandard braking meantime.