Ashamedly perhaps, this is the first time I've needed to change the pads on my trusty Hope brakes. Anyway, the pins holding the pads in are not the usual threaded bolt, they're a push-in type and I can't for the life of me work out how to get the buggers out! They'll move but I can't just 'pop' them out by pushing from the other side, there's no circlips or anything holding it in from the other side either...
Help me please STW, what am I doing wrong?!
Remove the spring clip from the other side Nd tap it . If you've not changed those pads for a long time then youll probably want a tiny punch to tap on it.
No spring clip, and I've given it some beans with a small screwdriver on the other side to no avail. Those pads have been in for probably 3 years I reckon, maybe more!
I'd suggest more beans. Also double check that the screwdriver isn't catching on the edge of the caliper before going in full beans.
The o-ring will have perished.
Normally just used thin nosed pliers on the pin and the caliper. Its just push fit
isnt that a circlip on the inside of the caliper so needlenose pliers to pull one at a time off the pin. If there's no allen head and no circlips outside the caliper then those little sticky up things either side of the spring look like the only thing that's holding it all in place.
If it's rusted on, given you'll be replacing the pads get some silicone spray on there to losen things up a little. Then a dose of brake cleaner before putting pads back on.
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<li style="text-align: left;">See if you can put a little silicon brake lubricant on the outer end of the pin and then apply force from the back.
- There isn't a circlip inside the caliper just on the back
What's the other side of the caliper like?
As has been alluded to, the pin has an o-ring on the head to stop it rattling.
If it's not been out for a while, then a mix of age/dirt have probably got it fairly well jammed.
Try and get some lube (ideally something like silicon/teflon spray, but some soap like Fairy Liquid will do - WD40/GT85 don't really help where rubber is involved) down around the head of the pin (probably best to tip the bike on it's side so gravity helps the lube run in), then try tapping the pin out.
You can see the amount of rust on the pads .the pin is likely fussed from the rust. Remove the wheel to save the rotor but as the pads are toast soak that pin in wd40 for a day or so .
Do not as above simply tap itwith some beans as you will crack the caliper on the thin bit above the pin
Your pistons are also likely to be seized looking at the state of the rust on the pads so order some hunters silicone for lubing the pistons using a tyre lever to work the pistons .I'd personally send those off to hope after you've got the pin out for a refresh.
It's a subsidised service and for £100 they'll come back fully serviced new seals oil and pads
Push fit, theres a tiny O ring on the bit normally has an allen key slot.
As above, take off safety thing and push it out.
They should have stuck with the split pin, but i guess that made the system look a bit tatty and garden shed.
The newer ones have a threaded bolt which is better, well other that overly complex and small retainer clip that is still used on the other side!
.I’d personally send those off to hope after you’ve got the pin out for a refresh.
It’s a subsidised service and for £100 they’ll come back fully serviced new seals oil and pads
I know nothing about Hope brakes, but if the above is an option, why not unbolt the caliper and send it to Hope for them to do the whole lot ?
Thanks all, appreciate the advice - hadn't thought about using pliers and lubricating fluid (hadn't even crossed my mind due to them being brakes and all that!) but as the pads are toast then I suppose I can!
Don't really want to send them off to be honest - although it's a great service, the calipers still work perfectly well and I have spare pads here - I've already lubricated and worked the pistons so fairly happy with them other than that bloody pad pin! Will get to work and report back...
It's a stainless steel pin in an alloy caliper with an o ring the only thing holding it on, lay the bike on its side and drip some lube around the head so it soaks onto the o ring which has probably perished and turned to glue, the pin won't be corroded or fused to the caliper, it will tap out, a punch with a little concaved end is ideal to place on the end of the pin that protrudes slightly on the back of the caliper.
As above, I wouldn't keep smacking due to the risk of a crack. Spray a bit of Plusgas in and try to rotate the pin with pliers to free it off if necessary, Dremel off the pads and push them out to get more room.
Get a mini vise grip on the pis where it’s accessible. Twist it to loosen it.
Oops. On the PIN.
A soldering iron on the head of the pin might have an affect on the o-ring, softening it up so it releases.
Is it out?
