HELP !!!!....Front Brake Rad Retaining Pins

[Cabby]

Hey Everyboby...

Just had the front end in bits to fix the speedo drive and replace gaitors.

Thought I'd check the brakes as i suspect one of the pistons may be seized....

I cannot for the life of me undo the bloody screws holding the pins in although the pads are fairly new so it's not that long since they were off and I can see traces of copper grease.

Is it dangerous to apply heat with fluid still in the caliper?

Thanks Kevin

[Austin]

Hey Everyboby...

Just had the front end in bits to fix the speedo drive and replace gaitors.

Thought I'd check the brakes as i suspect one of the pistons may be seized....

I cannot for the life of me undo the bloody screws holding the pins in although the pads are fairly new so it's not that long since they were off and I can see traces of copper grease.

Is it dangerous to apply heat with fluid still in the caliper?

Thanks Kevin

umm, not an expert on this but I would thought it would be OK as long you don't go too hot - like a nice cherry red sort of hot, after all hydraulic fluid is designed to withstand the heat produced during braking. I would have thought your biggest risk is damaging seals and rubber hoses.

I assume you've tried others tricks like whacking 'em with a hammer or tightening them a bit first.

[sproggy]

I've just changed my front pads and I used an impact driver (reasonably gently) on the pin cover caps and they came undone easily. Wouldn't budge with a normal screwdriver, though. Was it the caps you meant or the pin itself which has a socket head for a 5mm (?) allen key?

If you use an impact driver the calipers need to be securely mounted, of course - bolting them back on to the forks is the best way.

[FatFergie]

Was it the caps you meant or the pin itself which has a socket head for a 5mm (?) allen key?

I was wondering also;

anyhow, you could try immersing the whole caliper in hot water for a few minutes.

when you do get to the point of putting it back together don't screw the pin all the way in. (screw it all the way in and then back it off a half turn or so). the cap is there to lock against the pin and keep it in place.

[Austin]

I was wondering also;

the cap is there to lock against the pin and keep it in place.

I thought it was there just to keep the crap out of the threads.

[Cabby]

Thanks Chaps,

Sproggy...I was thinking I wouldn't be able to do much more without remount it or completely removing it.

It's the caps...I hadn't got as far as finding out the pins are screwed in as well !!!