Front Wheel Removal

[Milesofsmiles]

Hi Folks,

I'm looking to remove my front wheel (for the first time) and was wondering if one must disconnect the break lines to the calipers per the Clymer manual, or can the calipers be swung out of the way without disconnecting the lines. That just seems like a lot of extra work but I'd appreciate some advice from any of you experts that have done it before.

Thanks

MilesofSmiles

[Poorboy]

You do not have to disconnect the break lines.

[SIR tricky]

Just remove the calipers, put some never seize on the caliper bolts when you install them.
The pad retaining pins can be a bitch to remove but when you do get them out use some very fine wet/dry sandpaper and clean them up and use some never seize or caliper grease, to make life easier next time.

While your at it, remove the brake fluid from the master cylinder, I use and turkey baster, then clean any dirt then put new brake fluid in and bleed new fluid through the lines.

Replacing the 30 year old rubber brake lines with stainless lines would help the braking system too.

[Milesofsmiles]

Thanks for the feedback, my brake pads look OK but it's time for some new rubber

[bs175dths]

So as not to put undue stress on the b r a k e lines, do not let them dangle.
Support them by any means you have, just don't let them hang.
(Ah, GRAVITY, thou are a heartless $itch!)
When you remove the caliper from its mount, don't lose the retainer, bracket which is a thin piece of metal which is held on to the mount with just squeeze pressure. They are needed to allow the brake pads to slide when the brakes are applied and released.
Often times they fall off while changing out brake pads. The brakes will work without this, but they work better with.
Also, to ease reinstalling the caliper onto the disc, separate the pads just a little bit being careful NOT to damage the pad material.

Good Luck!

-Ride On