Caliper Re-Assembly?

[djg42]

Hello,
I took apart the front brale caliper to clean it, thinking i could just re-trace my steps and re-assemble it-but once i took the caliper off the mounting bracket the brake pads etc.. came falling out and now im confused on how it goes back together. This piece fell out, and it appears to be broken because there is now arm thing on the right side-is it?
Thanks!

 

[jwhelan65]

 

[Nessism]

That part looks like one of the legs is broken off. Still available new from Suzuki so it shouldn't be hard to replace.

 

[djg42]

thanks, is this a piece that holds the inner brake pad in place? Its hard to tell in the schematic

 

[Nessism]

thanks, is this a piece that hold the inner brake pad in place? Its hard to tell in the schematic

That part is to protect the soft aluminum of the caliper hanger. It clips onto the hanger and then the tangs of the brake pads bear against it.

 

[djg42]

thanks, im having trouble finding the part to order, coukld you point it out?
http://www.bikebandit.com/1980-suzuki-motorcycle-gs450lt-front-caripers/o/m6040sch273836

 

[Nessism]

thanks, im having trouble finding the part to order, coukld you point it out?
http://www.bikebandit.com/1980-suzuki-motorcycle-gs450lt-front-caripers/o/m6040sch273836

7:
Guide pad 510012-001 $2.59

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I took a bunch of pictures and wrote up a couple of brake pad replacement guides. You might find them helpful.

Front Brake Pad Replacement​

Rear Brake Pad Replacement​

Yes, those parts are still available new from any of your favorite vendors.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[djg42]

Thanks, you guys are a life saver!
So there isnt anything that holds the brake pads in place? It seems like they just basically sit in their position on each side of the rotor.

Is the brake pad on the piston side supposed to be the only one with a shim pad?

Also, the manual says just to tighten the bolts holding the caliper to the fork mount finger tight-but when i do that it seems like there is a lot of clearance, does this look ok?

 

[67fire]

The piston, is supposed to "float".
Otherwise the brakes would drag.
The broken clip is also a spring to keep the pads from vibrating that causes squealing.

Eric

 

[Nessism]

The piston, is supposed to "float".
Otherwise the brakes would drag.
The broken clip is also a spring to keep the pads from vibrating that causes squealing.

Eric

The caliper does float on the sliding pins (which by the way, need special caliper grease applied - do not reassemble without), but that clip is not for vibration, it's to protect the soft aluminum on the caliper hanger where the pads rub.

Regarding that gap, it should not be there. I suggest you clamp the caliper hanger in a vice (remove the mounting bolts first of course) and then tighten those screws to eliminate that gap. The nut flats on the sliding pins will want to turn so stick a screwdriver blade in there when you tighten down the screws to keep them from turning.