How to Replace Bicycle Disc Brake Pads, by Park Tool on YouTube. 8 min 19 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 19 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Check your brake model and buy the correct pad shape and compound. Pads for Shimano, SRAM, Hayes, Magura, Hope, Tektro and others are not interchangeable.
Shift to the smallest cog or easiest gear, then loosen the quick release or thru axle and take the wheel out so you can reach the caliper.
Find the pad retaining bolt or split pin on top of the caliper. Pull the pin out with needle nose pliers and keep it safe.
Slide the old pads and spring clip out of the caliper. Note which way the spring clip and any fins face so the new set goes in the same way.
Wipe the inside of the caliper with a rag and isopropyl alcohol. Keep any oil or grease away from the rotor and the new pads.
Push both pistons back into the caliper with a piston press or a clean tire lever. Press squarely and evenly, and stop if a piston will not move.
Fit the spring clip to the new pads and slide them into the caliper. Push the retaining pin or bolt back through and bend or tighten it as your model needs.
Refit the wheel and check the rotor sits between the pads with even space on both sides. Spin the wheel to confirm it turns freely.
Squeeze the brake lever several times until the pads meet the rotor. Check for rub and centre the caliper if one pad drags.
Bed in the new pads on a safe, flat surface. Do a series of firm stops from a moderate speed, letting the brakes cool between each one.
Tips and common mistakes
Never touch the pad surface or the rotor with bare oily fingers, because contamination causes squealing and poor braking.
Replace pads when the friction material is down to about 1 mm, before the metal backing touches the rotor.
If a piston will not push back easily, stop and have the brake checked rather than forcing it and damaging the seals.
Ride gently for the first few kilometres while the new pads bed in, since full braking power takes a while to arrive.
Questions
Do I need to replace the rotor at the same time?
Not usually. Fit a new rotor only if it is worn thin, deeply scored or bent beyond truing. Check your brake maker's minimum thickness spec.
Is the job the same on mechanical and hydraulic brakes?
The pad removal and fitting steps are almost identical. Mechanical brakes adjust with a cable, while hydraulic brakes rely on pushing the pistons back.
Can I reuse the old spring clip and retaining pin?
Often yes, if they are straight and unbroken. Many new pad sets come with a fresh clip, so use that when one is included.
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.
