Brake shims and springs?

JoJoYZF · 04-24-2009, 12:37 AM

Someone on my bike specific forum said that you need to change the brake shims and springs when changing the pads, but Ive never heard of this. Is that true? I asked on there but that forum is very very slow compared to this one and I may be waiting a while for a response. If it is true, any ideas where I can get them?

Dnyce · 04-24-2009, 12:46 AM

only springs i know of are in drum brakes....

methinks you shouldnt get your advice from this "someone"

JoJoYZF · 04-24-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnyce

only springs i know of are in drum brakes....

methinks you shouldnt get your advice from this "someone"

Thats kind of my guess too.

EDIT: After reading through part of my haynes manual it references both but doesnt say if theyre pieces that need to be replaced. And the spring they mention looks like a type of retaining clip.

BobTheBiker · 04-24-2009, 01:55 AM

you very likely dont have to replace that part. you will however, have to push your pistons back into the calipers, which is kinda trick. keep the old pads in to do that so you dont screw up new ones. its how I'd do it.

Gas Man · 04-24-2009, 09:12 AM

Before you push the calipers back in... pull up the rubber boot and inspect the pistons. If they are clean, just spray em with some lube. Then push back in. If not, clean them up, spray, and push.

But I don't there are any parts needing to be replaced besides the pads. Might want to check n lube the slides.

G-Rex · 04-24-2009, 09:44 AM

And before you push the pistons in, take the cap off the master cylinder and wrap a towel around it and cover the top.

I have to agree with everyone else. I have yet to see any kind of a spring on a motorcycle disc brake (any disc brake for that matter), and as for the shims, why would you need to replace them? They aren't a wear item. Their primary purpose as I understand it is to help control brake squeal. Hell, back in the day, we always took those off when we changed pads.

Nowadays, I'm a little OCD about stuff like that, so they go back on. What I will do is give them a good cleaning with a scotchbrite pad, and put a little anti-squeal compound on them, and call it good.

JoJoYZF · 04-24-2009, 11:42 AM

Everyone has pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. Thanks guys.

04-24-2009, 12:37 AM	#1
JoJoYZF Bring on the Zombies! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland Moto: 2000 Yamaha YZF600R Posts: 2,691	Brake shims and springs? Someone on my bike specific forum said that you need to change the brake shims and springs when changing the pads, but Ive never heard of this. Is that true? I asked on there but that forum is very very slow compared to this one and I may be waiting a while for a response. If it is true, any ideas where I can get them?

04-24-2009, 12:46 AM	#2
Dnyce flyin high Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: cali Moto: 10speed huffy w/cards in the spokes Posts: 2,318	only springs i know of are in drum brakes.... methinks you shouldnt get your advice from this "someone" __________________ "Racing Is Life, Everything Before and After is Just Waiting" Steve McQueen

04-24-2009, 09:12 AM	#5
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	Before you push the calipers back in... pull up the rubber boot and inspect the pistons. If they are clean, just spray em with some lube. Then push back in. If not, clean them up, spray, and push. But I don't there are any parts needing to be replaced besides the pads. Might want to check n lube the slides. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

04-24-2009, 09:44 AM	#6
G-Rex Where to next? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OK to the C Moto: TL1000R, Hayabusa, R1150RT Posts: 1,333	And before you push the pistons in, take the cap off the master cylinder and wrap a towel around it and cover the top. I have to agree with everyone else. I have yet to see any kind of a spring on a motorcycle disc brake (any disc brake for that matter), and as for the shims, why would you need to replace them? They aren't a wear item. Their primary purpose as I understand it is to help control brake squeal. Hell, back in the day, we always took those off when we changed pads. Nowadays, I'm a little OCD about stuff like that, so they go back on. What I will do is give them a good cleaning with a scotchbrite pad, and put a little anti-squeal compound on them, and call it good. __________________

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04-24-2009, 01:55 AM	#4
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	you very likely dont have to replace that part. you will however, have to push your pistons back into the calipers, which is kinda trick. keep the old pads in to do that so you dont screw up new ones. its how I'd do it.

04-24-2009, 11:42 AM	#7
JoJoYZF Bring on the Zombies! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland Moto: 2000 Yamaha YZF600R Posts: 2,691	Everyone has pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. Thanks guys.