Replace your hydraulic disc brake pads (it's easy and will save you $$$) | Syd Fixes Bikes

Disc brake pads are one of the most important components of your bicycle as they allow you to STOP! Unfortunately, they wear out over time. So if you haven't checked your brake pads recently, now's the time.

What you'll need:

Other things in the shed:

00:00 Intro
00:21 What you'll need
00:43 Why should you do this?
01:42 How to check your brake pads
04:53 How to replace brake pads
10:13 Center the brake
11:02 Lever bleed (optional)
11:18 Bed in new brake pads
11:39 How to check and replace brake pads in one minute

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[sydfixesbikes]

If this video was helpful and saved you time and/or money, consider supporting the channel by hitting the "Thanks" button above to leave a tip.

[NelsonSherry]

This is NOT actually a closed system as there is room for air to move in behind the bladder and compensate for the oil filling in behind the pistons as the pads wear. Thus there is also the ability for the bladder to expand to allow a bit of fluid expansion as brakes heat up or when you push the pistons back into the caliper. You do not generally need to let oil out of your bleed port to push pistons back when replacing pads. And, as noted by others, it's also a good idea to clean the pistons before pushing them back in to reduce the amount of dirt pushed back inside the caliper further contaminating your brake fluid. But then, whatever. You two make great inspiring and empowering content that is greatly appreciated. Please, keep it up!

[adrianjost-dev]

I would recommend cleaning the pistons before pushing them back. Otherwise dirt that is stuck to the outside will be pushed into the sealing which might increase the risk of getting a sticky/lazy piston which is even more hastle than cleaning the pistons in the first place.

[nicholkid]

Plastic tire lever works great to push the pistons back without damage

[sevenninthsfabmachine]

In case no one has mentioned it.. I have a cool machinist tip for measuring brake pads with your digital calipers:
Measure the little step like Syd did, but while that measurement is still on the caliper display, hit the “zero” key to zero the display. Then measure across the whole brake pad thickness, but now the display will read only the consumable part of the pad without needing to do any math. Neat huh?
When you’re done reset the calipers to their normal state.. usually by holding the “zero” key in for 2 or 3 seconds till it reads normally (depending on your caliper model.)

[nissemeys]

After watching you for 2 years without a clear goal I just started a student job at a bikeshop. I love every second I spend at work and I can't believe I get payed for it 🤯. I thought I would get the nasty jobs but I actually got to work on bikes!

Thank you so much for helping me develop my passion! 😁💛

[kyleagee]

Thank you two for these videos. I am newish to mountain biking and these are the easiest videos for normal folks to understand!

[mattgies]

There's no need to open the master cylinder bleed port *if* the system was never overfilled. But if you've previously done a lever bleed without resetting the pistons and installing a bleed block, you probably overfilled it and it will be necessary to allow the surplus fluid to come out as you've depicted.

[sagehiker]

It is a cotter pin widget. The shop-studio successor to the shed looks great. Love these self- help video series. They are the best because it is also a conversation.

[lawrenceokane]

Welcome back to the shed, the prefect antidote to that stressful Mesa Verde video, and relax.

[tl]

Great video - you may want to mention the key differences be metal and resin pads and specific resin-only rotors.
Mechanics can also use a plastic tire lever to push the pistons into the caliper when required. Keep up the good work!

[clipless]

If you're thinking about switching to metallic pads, first check your rotors. A lot of stock rotors have 'resin only' written on them. If that's the case you probably want to budget for new rotors as well.

[pipermoonshine]

I am so glad I found your channel....I am just getting into mountain biking and though I most likely won't get into big technical trails I do want to have fun on the flowy trails but I also want to fix and maintain my bikes and maybe who knows fix other people's bikes too.

[waynecallister]

"Stop, if you still can." 😂🤣😂

[MikeBrown-eqtz]

Great video. Love the way you guys break the process down and explain everything in detail. Even a boob like me can tackle this chore 👍🏼

[michaelcawley]

Please remember to clean the pistons before pressing back in as it pushes debris into your seals and can lead to brake failure

[nrmrvrk]

Great detail in the video! Someone taught me to use a plastic tire lever (like the Pedros hi-viz ones) to push the pistons back. It takes a little more dexterity but it's less stressful for me knowing that I probably can't hurt the pistons with the plastic lever like I could with a metal tool.

[johncarrington]

Great video, worth mentioning that some brakes do not use mineral oil but DOT fluid. The brake fluid reservoir at the lever usually says what it uses.

[ridefast]

Thanks, just what I needed. You can measure the pad thickness directly at the 'small' end of the caliper, if you rest the end on the pad and let the little extending piece touch the back plate you will have the direct measurement with no resets or math!

[matca]

Yes Syd, airplanes have brakes. Almost all have Disc, hydraulic disc brakes along with park brake. Now you have shared the basic knowledge for their maintenance. Zoom Zoom.