Checking rear pads

[stolzy]

On the front brakes I can see the amount of pad thickness left by removing the spring cover thing.

Am I right in thinking that the only way to see the rear pad wear is to remove the caliper (in which case I might as well replace them)

 

[MattW]

I just looked down alongside the disc with a torch - you can see the pad thickness remaining (at least on my 1100 anyway).

 

[ELIMINATOR]

same on my 1150. Don't just replace them, clean the caliper as well.

 

[MattW]

same on my 1150. Don't just replace them, clean the caliper as well.

+1
I did that last pad change - made a big difference to the brake performance.

 

[twizzle]

i may have dreamt this but on some rear pads there are holes in the back plate when you can see disc they are fecked..... i could of course be making this all up!!!....

 

[stolzy]

I tried it with a torch, but to no avail - there is no way to see past the tyre into the gap between disc and caliper.

Tried to move the caliper, but no luck the T45 bolts are stuck firm - those babies are not coming out with any force I can apply.

Any suggestions?

 

[Steptoe]

Simple, the rears are far easier to see than the front, they can be checked just standing next to the bike - Look where the pads are located in place with the pad retaining pin.

The thickness between the two tabs that the pin locates through are the total thickness of your pads plus the disc.

 

[stolzy]

OK, that makes sense, still like to be able to see some pad material though.

Now, how do I get the caliper bolts out?

 

[Steptoe]

OK, that makes sense, still like to be able to see some pad material though.

You can see the pad friction material each side

 

[Sleepy]

...and here's a picture to help you out..

 

[stolzy]

OK, thanks for that, i can see how to estimate the pad thickness, but I definately can't see any friction material (in the picture either) - its just not possible to get sufficient angle to see between the disc and the caliper - they tyre gets in the way.

 

[MattW]

Little mirror and a torch?

 

[ELIMINATOR]

try a bit of plus gas on them, if you don't have any try WD40 or similar.

Little mirror and a torch?

Can't get much leverage with them.