Brake Pad Replacement R1100RT

[schoeffling]

I have a 1997 R1100RT that I want to replace the front brake pads on. Do I have to remove the front wheel to get the calipers off? The manual didn't indicate such and I couldn't them them off after removing the two bolts. Also, is there any trick to getting the retaining clip off and driving out the pin?

[bikerfish1100]

wiggle the calipers against the brake rotors- you're trying to press the pistons back into the caliper body, to give some clearance to pulling the calipers away from the wheel. they will need to be pressed in to create more space for the new pads anyway. you'll have more room to work by pulling the front wheel- it's pretty darn easy, so why not?

[alien_hitchhiker]

Do I have to remove the front wheel to get the calipers off?

The catch is that you have to remove the calipers before you can remove the front wheel. When I've changed pads I've always left the wheel in place - pulling the calipers off as described by bikerfish. Don't get too vigorous, you could damage the disc. If the caliper absolutely won't spread open wide enough, you may have to remove some brake fluid from the reservoir.

The little retaining clip just pops out. You can then use a blunt ended punch or something similar, with a small mallet to tap the pin out. You'll need to tap the pin back in to seat it when you reinstall.

[glwestcott]

Make sure you use a turkey baster and remove some of the brake fluid from the resevoire. Also put a towel or something under that area to protect from brake fluid drips. I didn't the first time I did mine and when I spread the calipers I had brake fluid shoot out. Some got on the dash and I rinsed it off, but not enough. While I was working on the bike, I heard "tink" "tink" and found little parts of the dash plastic in one spot were falling off. Quickly hosed everything down thoroughly. Had to rebuild a section of the dash for awhile until I could get a used one from Beemer Boneyard. Since then I have always been careful to suck up some fluid from the reservoire prior to taking the calipers off. Easy precaution to take. That brake fluid stuff is N a s t y!bolt

[glwestcott]

N a s t y!bolt


That was supposed to be: N a s t y!:bolt