How to Replace Brake Pads on a Bike - Rim Brakes, by Park Tool on YouTube. 8 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Collect a set of hex keys, a socket wrench, metric wrenches and needle nose pliers. Work on a clean bike with the wheel still in the frame.
Look at how the pad attaches to the brake arm. Road cartridge pads slide into a holder; other pads have a threaded stud or a smooth stud.
For road cartridge pads, squeeze the brake to steady it, remove the small retaining pin or screw, and slide the old pad out of the holder.
Push the new cartridge into the holder with any arrow pointing forward, then refit the retaining pin or screw.
For threaded stud pads, hold the pad and unscrew the mounting bolt or nut. Keep the curved and flat washers in the order you remove them.
Fit the new pad with the washers in the same order, thread the bolt or nut, and tighten it just enough to stop the pad moving.
For smooth stud pads, remove the fixing bolt or retaining clip, pull the pad off the post, and slide the new pad on.
Set each pad so it hits the rim braking surface, not the tyre. Aim for about 1 mm of toe-in, then tighten the fixing bolt firmly.
Squeeze the brake lever and check both pads meet the rim evenly. Spin the wheel and test the brakes before you ride.
Tips and common mistakes
Clean the rim with alcohol and a clean rag before fitting new pads.
Replace both pads at the same time so the brake pulls evenly.
Do not touch the pad surface with oily fingers.
Squeeze the lever hard a few times, then test the brakes at walking speed before a full ride.
Questions
How do I know which brake pad type I have?
Look at the pad holder: a road cartridge pad slides out of a metal holder. A threaded stud has a threaded post and a nut; a smooth stud has a plain post held by a bolt or clip.
When should I replace rim brake pads?
Replace them when the wear grooves are gone or the pad is down to about 1 mm of rubber. Replace both sides together.
Do I need to adjust the brake cable after fitting new pads?
Usually not if the new pads are the same thickness. If the lever feels loose or the pads rub, turn the barrel adjuster or reset the cable.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
