New break pads

[longnite69]

All,
Installed new break pad on the rear of black thunder this afternoon, now I have a question about the fit. When I went for a test ride I could smell the pads burning. When I returned home from the test ride, the rotor was hot. The new pads fit very tight on the rotor. I need to know if this is common for new break pads? They did not seem to fit like the disk breaks on a car.

Thanks
Tim

Are the OEM?

At any time did you add brake fluid to the reservoir and then installed new pads? This will cause the pads to grind away until they are the same thickness as your old ones.

[Hoovey]

Like Buett said if you have added brake fluid and the system is full you might have to remove a little so you can compress the caliper pistons further so the pads can float easier.

[ChickenWing]

Tim,

Because of your question, I started wondering and made a phone call.
A friend of mine told me that if the piston is not extended and cleaned of the brake dust and road grim that accumalates as the piston becomes more exposed as the pad is worn down, it may not retract far enough and hang in the caliper and the pads will drag. The pistons on a car have the rubber boot to protect them and do not have to be cleaned.


CW

[racer04]

When ya install new pads, one has to "reset" the caliper piston by compressing it back in its bore. I usually use a large set of channel locks to do this. Although one set I did on the Rumblurr, took about 5 miles for the pads to "bed" in. Rotor was real hot and got the burning brake odor. Like to never got the thing pushed out the door to test ride it.

I think you'll be ok.

[longnite69]

Thanks guys for all the insight. Yes, the piston was reset in the caliper before installing the new pads. I only went around the block on the test ride maybe I will put a few miles on her tonight to see how it goes.
Thanks
Tim

Tim,

Because of your question, I started wondering and made a phone call.
A friend of mine told me that if the piston is not extended and cleaned of the brake dust and road grim that accumalates as the piston becomes more exposed as the pad is worn down, it may not retract far enough and hang in the caliper and the pads will drag. The pistons on a car have the rubber boot to protect them and do not have to be cleaned.


CW

+1

Normally the boot wipes most of the dust off, then you add Murphy's law into it :lol: it goes south quick.

Best to clean before compressing the pistons back into the bores. You can do this with an old tee shirt collar and wrap it around the top of the piston with a back in forth motion. For any reason there is road tar stuck, a little dab of brake fluid will help.