Replacing Brake Pads -- Crazy Simple

davidh

Member
Just finished replacing the front and rear brake pads on my 2013 C650 GT. The dealer did it the first time (around 15k miles) for insane $$$ so I figured I'd try it myself. Aside from the cost of the OEM pads (around $250 for a complete set -- two pair on the front and one pair on the rear), it was about a 15 minute job. The maintenance CD does a good job explaining it but here are the steps for one caliper, all three are basically the same.

1. Press back the brake pistons. On the back wheel this is easily done by wedging a large screwdriver between the CVT housing the the caliper and gently pressing against the caliper. The front can probably be done with something as simple as a C-clamp or something similar. I ended up removing the front calipers and used a large screwdriver between the old pads to push the caliper back.

2. Remove the small threaded plug at the bottom edge of the caliper. It's about .25" and has a slotted recess in it.

3. Remove the 5MM hex screw. You'll probably need either a socket or an Allen wrench with something to use for leverage.

4. Remove the screw and the pads should fall out. Be sure the note the position of the spring plate for reassembly.

5. Replace the pads, compressing slightly against the spring plate for the 5MM screw can be reinserted and tightened.

6. Replace the threaded cover plug.

7. Pump both brakes to seat the pads against the rotors.

I used a little anti-seize compound on the screw and threaded plug just to make life easier next time.

That's it! Crazy simple. Sorry I didn't take pictures or video!
 
Last edited:

JaimeC

New member
Don't forget to pump the brakes back up to pressure before your first ride or you'll be in for a nasty surprise... DAMHIK.
 

seraphtan

New member
Are the OEM pads Sintered or Organics?
Do you mean the pads he bought, or the pads that were originally installed on our bikes?
Just finished replacing the front and rear brake pads on my 2013 C650 GT. The dealer did it the first time (around 15k miles) for insane $$$ so I figured I'd try it myself. Aside from the cost of the OEM pads (around $250 for a complete set -- two pair on the front and one pair on the rear), it was about a 15 minute job. The maintenance CD does a good job explaining it but here are the steps for one caliper, all three are basically the same.

1. Press back the brake pistons. On the back wheel this is easily done by wedging a large screwdriver between the CVT housing the the caliper and gently pressing against the caliper. The front can probably be done with something as simple as a C-clamp or something similar. I ended up removing the front calipers and used a large screwdriver between the old pads to push the caliper back.

2. Remove the small threaded plug at the bottom edge of the caliper. It's about .25" and has a slotted recess in it.

3. Remove the 5MM hex screw. You'll probably need either a socket or an Allen wrench with something to use for leverage.

4. Remove the screw and the pads should fall out. Be sure the note the position of the spring plate for reassembly.

5. Replace the pads, compressing slightly against the spring plate for the 5MM screw can be reinserted and tightened.

6. Replace the threaded cover plug.

7. Pump both brakes to seat the pads against the rotors.

I used a little anti-seize compound on the screw and threaded plug just to make life easier next time.

That's it! Crazy simple. Sorry I didn't take pictures or video!


Sent from my D6633 using Tapatalk
 

seraphtan

New member
Does anyone have any experience with EBC brake pads? I got myself a set (2 pairs for the front, and 1 for the rear) at SGD$180.

Installed them myself, and found that I have mixed feelings about how they're performing on stock discs. They work for sure, and I think the bite comes a little earlier, resulting in lighter and more linear braking applied when I'm on the roads. Though I'm wondering if it's only because I was so used to having EBC pads on my Ducati.

If you're wondering about the pads I used, they were the:

Front - SFA142HH
Rear - SFA196HH

Any opinions on this?
 

seraphtan

New member
Awesome! And I thought it was just my own biased opinions that made me feel that way about EBC brake pads.

=p

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Last edited:

exavid

Member
I've used organic EBCs on three of my old Goldwings, two with standard brakes and one with ABS. Put a set of EBCs on one of the SWs I've owned as well. All performed well dry or wet and gave good service. I prefer the organic pads over the sintered to reduce wear on the brake disks. Pads are cheaper than disks.
 

seraphtan

New member
I've used organic EBCs on three of my old Goldwings, two with standard brakes and one with ABS. Put a set of EBCs on one of the SWs I've owned as well. All performed well dry or wet and gave good service. I prefer the organic pads over the sintered to reduce wear on the brake disks. Pads are cheaper than disks.
I'm guessing the HH variants of the pads are sintered? I haven't gone to check the specs of the pads yet. Maybe I'll do that later this evening.

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JaimeC

New member
I'm thinking sintered MAY be the way to go because I find myself using the brakes on the scooter far more often than I do on the K1200LT. That's due to the massive amount of braking available from the engine and manual transmission on the LT. My friends often ask me if my brake lights are out because they hardly ever see them light up when we're in the twisties. On the other hand, the C650GT and its CVT doesn't provide nearly as much "slowing power" by simply rolling off the throttle. I use the brakes a lot more often.
 

seraphtan

New member
I'm thinking sintered MAY be the way to go because I find myself using the brakes on the scooter far more often than I do on the K1200LT. That's due to the massive amount of braking available from the engine and manual transmission on the LT. My friends often ask me if my brake lights are out because they hardly ever see them light up when we're in the twisties. On the other hand, the C650GT and its CVT doesn't provide nearly as much "slowing power" by simply rolling off the throttle. I use the brakes a lot more often.
I agree with you Jaime.

I hardly had to use my brakes on my Ducati due to the massive amount of engine braking when I had that.

Even after a year of owning the C600, I'm still trying to get used to having to brake so often and to work out the optimum braking distance for a linear braking feel.

I tend to have to brake hard at the end of my braking sequence to come to a complete stop at where I target to stop. Though that has improved slightly with the change to the EBC pads.

Sent from my D6633 using Tapatalk
 
Can anyone who has done this say if they took wheel off rear to do pads or if they were able to do ok with wheel on? I ask because I have seen two videos and both wheels were off but it may be to make filming easier.
 

Snowdog

New member
BTW, I got EBC pads for a whole set; front, back, and parking, for 90 bucks, from https://www.jcmotors.com/. .

If you haven't done pads before, and find when you take your test ride that they seem to be dragging, wiggle your bike a few times to justify the position of the pads, then brake hard, wiggle , brake hard until they don't drag.Sometimes they get cocked when you first pump up the brake.
 

SteveADV

Active member
BTW, I got EBC pads for a whole set; front, back, and parking, for 90 bucks, from https://www.jcmotors.com/. .

If you haven't done pads before, and find when you take your test ride that they seem to be dragging, wiggle your bike a few times to justify the position of the pads, then brake hard, wiggle , brake hard until they don't drag.Sometimes they get cocked when you first pump up the brake.

Good advice. Thanks.
 
BTW, I got EBC pads for a whole set; front, back, and parking, for 90 bucks, from https://www.jcmotors.com/. .

If you haven't done pads before, and find when you take your test ride that they seem to be dragging, wiggle your bike a few times to justify the position of the pads, then brake hard, wiggle , brake hard until they don't drag.Sometimes they get cocked when you first pump up the brake.

As always good advice Snowdog. I bought EBC pads yesterday in a local store GP Bikes which normally has nothing for BMW scoots. Less than half the price of BMW ones.
 
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