Bonneville front brake pad replacement

steve lovatt · May 6, 2015

Changed the pads on the rear with no problem at all.
Went to the front and first problem - the little screw cap that has to be removed before you can get to the hex-bolt head on the actual pad pin would not budge.
Long story short, tried everything to shift it including a 48 hour soak in WD40 but to no avail.
In the end had to drill it out , but damaged the hex bolt head in the process (didn't have my glasses on and was too eager despite thinking I should stop now!).
Finally removed both with an extractor after drilling right into the pin itself. Will be using lots of copper grease in reassembly!

Recycled Rocker · May 6, 2015

Yup, I keep the old coppergrease handy, fed up of stuck bolts especially dissimilar metals. Just done my front pads using it, the caliper bolts themselves were well cruddied up with alloy/steel. Also, lots "good job well done" when yer use right tools and materials eh, I'll try and remember that (and my glasses)

PeteH · May 7, 2015

So did you replace the pin with a new item ? Squaredeals are doing stainless ones for the Tiger....

steve lovatt · May 7, 2015

Yes Pete, new pin arrived yesterday along with a few other needed bits, such as a cam cover gasket and some new head to carb rubbers and clamps as the old ones are getting a bit hard. Front brakes are now properly sorted - just need a nice long road test now - and as the sun is shining (sort of) ...