13/04/2011
Harley Softail Brake Pad Replacement: A Rider's Essential Guide
Keeping your Harley Heritage Softail's braking system in top condition is paramount for your safety and riding enjoyment. The brake pads are the critical friction material that makes contact with the rotors, allowing you to decelerate and stop effectively. Over time and with consistent use, these pads wear down, reducing their stopping power and potentially damaging the rotors if left unchecked. Fortunately, replacing the brake pads on a Heritage Softail is a manageable task for the home mechanic, provided you have the right tools and follow the correct procedure. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you can maintain your motorcycle's stopping performance with confidence.
Why Regular Brake Pad Replacement is Crucial
Brake pads are wear items, much like tyres. Their lifespan is directly influenced by your riding habits, the conditions you typically ride in (e.g., city commuting with frequent stops versus open highway cruising), and the quality of the pads themselves. Harley-Davidson recommends a regular inspection schedule for your brake pads, and replacement should occur when they reach a specific thickness. Ignoring worn brake pads can lead to several issues: * Reduced Braking Power: Thinner pads have less material to create friction, resulting in longer stopping distances and a less responsive brake lever or pedal. * Rotor Damage: Once the friction material is completely worn away, the metal backing plate of the brake pad will come into contact with the brake rotor. This metal-on-metal contact can quickly and severely damage the rotor, leading to a much more expensive repair. * Brake Fade: Overheated and worn pads can experience brake fade, where their effectiveness diminishes significantly, especially during prolonged braking or downhill descents. * Safety Hazard: Ultimately, compromised braking is a serious safety risk. Ensuring your brake pads are in good condition is non-negotiable for safe riding.
Tools and Materials You'll Need
Before you begin, gather all the necessary tools and parts. Using the correct components is vital, especially when it comes to brake pads designed specifically for your Harley Davidson model. Using generic or incorrect pads can compromise performance and safety. * Allen Wrench Set: You'll need a set of good quality Allen wrenches (also known as hex keys) to remove and reinstall the caliper bolts and retaining pins. The specific sizes will depend on your Softail model, but typically 5/16" or 7/32" are common for caliper bolts. * Screwdriver: A flathead screwdriver is often useful for prying certain components or cleaning. * Pliers: Needle-nose pliers are particularly useful for removing the retaining clips. * Brake Cleaner: A can of automotive brake cleaner is essential for cleaning the caliper pistons and surrounding areas. * New Brake Pads: Ensure you purchase Genuine Harley-Davidson brake pads or high-quality aftermarket equivalents specifically designed for your Heritage Softail model year. Check your owner's manual or consult your dealer if unsure. * Torque Wrench: For precise reassembly, a torque wrench is highly recommended to ensure caliper bolts and other fasteners are tightened to the manufacturer's specifications. This prevents over-tightening (which can strip threads) and under-tightening (which can lead to parts loosening). * Gloves and Eye Protection: Always wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from brake dust and cleaning solvents. * Shop Rags or Microfibre Cloths: For cleaning and wiping.
Step-by-Step Brake Pad Replacement Procedure
This guide assumes you are working on a typical Heritage Softail with a single disc front brake and a single disc rear brake. The process is similar for both, but always refer to your specific model's service manual for exact details.
Front Brake Pad Replacement
- Locate the Front Caliper: Identify the front brake caliper assembly, which clamps onto the front brake rotor. You may need to remove a saddlebag or other interfering bodywork depending on your specific Softail configuration.
- Remove Caliper Bolts: Using the appropriate size Allen wrench, carefully remove the two bolts that secure the brake caliper to the caliper mounting bracket. These bolts often have thread-locking compound on them, so they might require a bit of force to loosen.
- Remove Caliper from Rotor: Once the bolts are out, the caliper should be able to slide off the brake rotor. If it's stuck, you might need to gently pry it with a screwdriver, being careful not to damage the caliper or rotor.
- Inspect the Caliper: With the caliper removed, take a moment to inspect it for any signs of damage, such as cracks or leaks. Also, check the rubber seals around the pistons for any signs of deterioration.
- Remove Old Brake Pads: The brake pads are typically held in place within the caliper by retaining pins or clips. On some models with fixed calipers, you'll need to rotate the caliper retaining pins until the ends of the retaining clips are exposed. Then, use pliers to carefully pull out the retaining clips and slide the old brake pads out of the caliper. Note the orientation of the pads as you remove them; the new ones will need to be installed in the same way.
- Compress the Caliper Pistons: This is a crucial step. You'll notice that as the brake pads wear down, the caliper pistons extend further out. To fit the new, thicker pads, you need to retract these pistons back into the caliper body. You can do this by gently squeezing the brake lever (for the front brake) or pressing the brake pedal (for the rear brake). Alternatively, and often easier, is to use a flathead screwdriver or a C-clamp to carefully push each piston back into its bore. Do this slowly and evenly. As you push the pistons back, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will rise, so keep an eye on it. If it looks like it might overflow, you may need to remove a small amount of fluid using a syringe.
- Clean the Pistons and Caliper Bore: Before inserting the new pads, clean the caliper pistons and the bore they sit in with brake cleaner. This removes any dust, dirt, or old grease that could impede smooth operation. Ensure the pistons are fully retracted.
- Install New Brake Pads: Carefully insert the new brake pads into the caliper. Make sure they are seated correctly and in the same orientation as the old ones. Some pads may come with new hardware like shims or retaining clips; install these as per the instructions with your new pads.
- Reinstall the Caliper: Slide the caliper back over the brake rotor, ensuring the new pads are properly positioned around the rotor. Realign the caliper with the mounting bracket.
- Reinstall Caliper Bolts: Insert the caliper bolts and tighten them by hand first to ensure they are properly threaded. Then, using your torque wrench, tighten the bolts to the manufacturer's specified torque value. Over-tightening can damage the threads, so using a torque wrench is highly recommended.
- Replace Retaining Pins/Clips: If your caliper uses retaining pins and clips, reinsert them to secure the pads and caliper in place.
Rear Brake Pad Replacement
The procedure for the rear brake is very similar: 1. Locate the Rear Caliper: Find the rear brake caliper assembly, which is usually mounted near the final drive sprocket. 2. Remove Caliper Bolts: Use your Allen wrench to remove the bolts securing the rear caliper to its mounting bracket. 3. Remove Caliper from Rotor: Carefully slide the caliper off the rear brake rotor. 4. Inspect and Remove Old Pads: Inspect the caliper for damage and remove the old brake pads, noting their orientation. 5. Compress Rear Piston: Use the brake pedal or a screwdriver/C-clamp to compress the rear caliper piston back into its bore. Monitor the brake fluid level in the rear master cylinder reservoir. 6. Clean and Install New Pads: Clean the piston and bore with brake cleaner. Insert the new brake pads into the caliper, ensuring correct orientation. 7. Reinstall Rear Caliper: Slide the caliper back over the rear rotor. 8. Reinstall Rear Caliper Bolts: Reinstall the caliper bolts and torque them to the manufacturer's specifications.
Post-Replacement Checks and Bedding-In
Once the new brake pads are installed and the calipers are reassembled: * Pump the Brakes: Before you even think about riding, you must pump the brake lever (front) and press the brake pedal (rear) several times. This action forces the caliper pistons back out against the new pads, ensuring there is firm pressure in the system and that the brakes are engaged. * Check Brake Fluid Level: Verify that the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir is at the correct mark (usually between MIN and MAX). Top up with the correct type of brake fluid if necessary. * Test Brakes: Gently apply the brakes while stationary to ensure they feel firm and responsive. Do not proceed if the brake lever or pedal feels spongy or goes all the way to the handlebar/floorboard. * Bed-In the New Pads: New brake pads need a 'bedding-in' or 'burnishing' process to achieve optimal performance. This involves a series of moderate stops from increasing speeds. Avoid hard, sudden stops during the first 50-100 miles. The goal is to transfer a thin, even layer of pad material onto the rotor surface. A common method is to ride at about 30-40 mph and apply the brakes moderately, slowing down to about 10 mph. Repeat this 8-10 times. Then, allow the brakes to cool completely without stopping, if possible. Consult your new brake pad manufacturer's recommendations for the specific bedding-in procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How often should I change my brake pads on a Harley Heritage Softail?A1: This depends heavily on your riding style and conditions. A general guideline is to inspect them every 5,000 miles and replace them when the friction material is worn down to about 1/16" (1.5mm) or as recommended by Harley-Davidson. Some riders may need replacement sooner, while others can go longer. Q2: Can I use aftermarket brake pads, or do I need Harley-Davidson specific ones?A2: You can use high-quality aftermarket brake pads, but they must be specifically designed for your Heritage Softail model year. Reputable brands offer excellent performance. However, always ensure they meet or exceed the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) specifications. Genuine Harley-Davidson parts are always a safe bet. Q3: What happens if I don't replace my brake pads?A3: If you don't replace worn brake pads, you risk significantly reduced braking performance, potential damage to your brake rotors (leading to costly repairs), and an increased risk of accidents due to longer stopping distances. Q4: Do I need to bleed the brakes after changing the pads?A4: Generally, no. If you are only replacing the pads and not disconnecting any brake lines or opening the system, bleeding the brakes is usually not necessary. Simply compressing the pistons back into the caliper should be sufficient. However, if you notice a spongy brake feel after the job, bleeding the system might be required. Q5: My brake lever/pedal feels spongy after changing the pads. What could be wrong?A5: A spongy feel often indicates air in the brake lines. This can happen if the fluid level dropped too low during the piston compression, or if any seals were disturbed. You may need to bleed the brake system to remove the air. Ensure the master cylinder reservoir cap was properly sealed after checking the fluid level. Changing your brake pads is a vital maintenance task that directly impacts your safety on the road. By following these steps and using the correct parts, you can ensure your Harley Heritage Softail stops as effectively as it performs. Ride safe!
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