A real emergency with the disc brake on a mountain bike can usually be prevented in advance of a tour. Unlike a flat tyre or a torn rear derailleur, brake problems do not usually occur suddenly during a tour. In the vast majority of cases, brake failure announces itself in a gradual process and can therefore be rectified at an early stage. Anyone who regularly checks their brake pads for wear, replaces them in good time or has a spongy pressure point If you don't ignore the most common sources of faults in the brake system for weeks on end, you can have them rectified either in your own workshop or by a specialist. In the video, we use a Shimano XT brake as an example to show you how to change the brake pads.
An important piece of information in advance: A disc brake is a safety-relevant component. If you tinker with it yourself, you should know what you are doing and, above all, work thoroughly. If you don't have sufficient experience in tinkering, it doesn't hurt to go to a bike workshop and seek advice from experts.
Changing brake pads on the disc brake: the work steps
- Remove the impeller: To be able to work properly on the brake, you must first remove the wheel.
- Remove the decking protection: Remove the locking pin and loosen the pad retaining screw. Keep both, as sometimes these small parts are not included with new brake pads and have to be reinstalled at the end.
- Remove the old brake pads: Pull the old brake pads out of the brake calliper. On most models, this can be done upwards, but some pads have to be removed from the caliper downwards. Save the spring, as sometimes new brake pads do not come with a new spring.
- Clean the brake calliper: Spray the brake calliper generously with brake cleaner and clean it with a clean cloth - especially the internal brake pistons.
- Push back the piston: Carefully press the brake pistons on both sides back into the brake calliper using a large, flat screwdriver or a special brake piston spreader.
- Install new brake pads: Insert the pads positively into the spring and push them into the brake calliper as a compressed package.
- Secure coverings: Secure the brake pads with the locking screw and split pin or the locking split pin.
If you have Brake pads and wheel reinstalled you have to Now reapply the brakes. To do this, apply the brakes several times in a controlled environment until they are really hot so that they can develop their full braking power.
