Brake pad pin destroyed

[35386]

Easy job. Change break pads. Who the hell decided to make the pin require an uncommon socket like a 1/4" 12 point? Why can't they make these things with a standard 1/4" or 10mm?

Stripped the crap out of the pin trying to get it out. Socket was useless so I applied my handy vice grips to completely remove and destroy the remaining pieces.

does anyone make a replacement pin with fat bolt on it? I really dont want to get another one of these oem pieces of junk.

[road_king]

Garner Wescott makes a torx brake pad pin. I purchased my at my local H-D dealer.

[ChopperDude]

Originally Posted by yorgo

Easy job. Change break pads. Who the hell decided to make the pin require an uncommon socket like a 1/4" 12 point? Why can't they make these things with a standard 1/4" or 10mm?

Stripped the crap out of the pin trying to get it out. Socket was useless so I applied my handy vice grips to completely remove and destroy the remaining pieces.

does anyone make a replacement pin with fat bolt on it? I really dont want to get another one of these oem pieces of junk.

I must have removed and reinstalled close to a thousand of those in the shop, never had a problem.

The proper tool works wonders. They are NOT "junk", you just don't have the right tools.

You going to complain why the caliper mounting bolt is a 12-point 10mm? Instead of being an inch bolt (like 7/16" or something).

If you want to work on stuff, you have to have the right tools.

[35386]

I've also replaced thousands of break pads in my life. These pins are absolute JUNK! The pin itself is fine. The problem is the bolt portion. I guess you've never compromised when faced with the lack of an exact tool. I've worked around several problems by using similar tools before. True, not recommended for these pins as the bolt seems to be made of aluminum or some soft alloy. Definitely JUNK in my book. Little tiny 12 point nipple that barely stick out far enough to grab. Requires a 1/4" 12 point thin-walled socket... total BS design in my opinion.

ACE hardware visit tomorrow for some real replacement hardened steel parts.

[ironheadbuck]

ace hardware -now thats the place to go for high quality bolts -lol

[y2kflhr]

I gotta call bs on this one, I use a small drive and 1/4 socket and have done the brakes a bunch of times no problem...sorry

[ChopperDude]

Being a wrench... I had some money invested in Snap On Tools.

But most of my fellow techs had Craftsman stuff, and in the 4 years I wrenched... not ONE problem from anybody.

Sometimes tool "work arounds" are okay. But when it bites you in the butt, don't complain about the pin is crap. Use the correct tool, and you won't have problems.

[Thealien]

Another one in the no problem camp. For someone who has done "thousands" of brake pads. you're doing it wrong!

[35386]

yet somehow my brakes have never failed.

[petrock]

Sorry, I have to jump on the band wagon here. Using the proper tool is key to any job. If you don't have the proper tool, then your working at your own risk. In this case, the error was between the handlebars and seat not in the design of the pins.

I have removed/installed the brake pads (for one reason or another) a couple dozen times on my ride without issues. Only problem is the black coating wearing off a little around the points, but thats not a big deal IMO. The 1/4" 12pt socket costs a couple bucks and is available at most hardware stores (I got mine at Sears).

Originally Posted by 35386

yet somehow my brakes have never failed.

Yeah, the brakes haven't failed (yet)... but the pins did due to mis-use and incorrect tools being applied. Of course the pins are going to get screwed up if you use a set of vise grips on them.

[Tech23]

Originally Posted by petrock

Sorry, I have to jump on the band wagon here. Using the proper tool is key to any job. If you don't have the proper tool, then your working at your own risk. In this case, the error was between the handlebars and seat not in the design of the pins.

I have removed/installed the brake pads (for one reason or another) a couple dozen times on my ride without issues. Only problem is the black coating wearing off a little around the points, but thats not a big deal IMO. The 1/4" 12pt socket costs a couple bucks and is available at most hardware stores (I got mine at Sears).


Yeah, the brakes haven't failed (yet)... but the pins did due to mis-use and incorrect tools being applied. Of course the pins are going to get screwed up if you use a set of vise grips on them.

I have never had a problem either....What was Snap-Ons motto?...."There is a Difference". This is what I have done with chrome fasteners that I don't want to damage, and it will work here too....especially if the 12 point socket you have is loose fitting and appears likely to slip and round off the (pad pin) bolt head. Take a piece of plastic bag, or baggie and place it over the bolt head to take up any slop between the bolt and socket before applying torque to the fastener. Anything to tighten the fit between the bolt and socket will help prevent rounding the fastener off.

Careful what caliper bolts/pins you replace with who knows what from Ace Hardware...you are talking about your brake system here!!

Tech23

[kc5gxc]

I have everything but a 1/4" 12 pt........nobody in town has one for sale. Called Sears and they are on the way. One guy told me the tool truck is the place to get 'em and it comes by his shop at 9 AM on Monday. I ordered 2 from Sears and may be waiting on the tool truck too...ha ha.
Anyway, I am waiting on tools to do the job. Gonna try the sintered pads from Bike Bandit.....made in USA.
Pete

[route66paul]

Originally Posted by kc5gxc

I have everything but a 1/4" 12 pt........nobody in town has one for sale. Called Sears and they are on the way. One guy told me the tool truck is the place to get 'em and it comes by his shop at 9 AM on Monday. I ordered 2 from Sears and may be waiting on the tool truck too...ha ha.
Anyway, I am waiting on tools to do the job. Gonna try the sintered pads from Bike Bandit.....made in USA.
Pete

Both of the HD stealers around here sell them, they have them in a small brown envelope so that you can't read the size, the ask over $10 for them. I knew they were trying to put one over on me, so I asked my indy what tool to use and i paid $2.xx for one.

[harley-gearhead]

You can use a 1/4" 12 point pocket wrench, and it works great, it slips right in between the swingarm and the bolt head, never had any problems, and have done a bunch of them. And thats a pretty inexpensive wrench as well. Good luck.