changing brake pads

I need to change the brake pads on my 1981 XJ650 UK model (4KO). To do this, I should just undo 1 bolt on the outside and I screw on the inside of the calipers. The problem is, I can't loosen the screw, is there a trick to it?

 

Two words:
Impact Hammer.
You should be able to find one at almost any hardware store. Follow directions and you should be in good shape.
Another thought is to soak the offending fastener with PB Blaster, a liquid spray that works rather well at loosening stubborn bolts and screws. Be sure to keep it from getting on the rotors.

 

Maybe an impact wrench would be better. You hit that with a hammer.

 

wouldn;t an impact wrench be a bit too harsh for a screw? I would have thought it would shear the head off...

 

Hahah you're both wrong.. Its called an Impact Driver!



This is a MUST HAVE TOOL!! This guy will break loose almost any frozen nut, bolt or screw without destroying it. Its a combination of the sudden downward movement from the hammer blow, combined with the torque generated by the tool when it is hit that breaks it loose (as opposed to the brute torque applied by a pneumatic impact wrench or breaker bar.)

 

And the 1/2 Inch Drive makes it work with 6-Point Sockets; too.

I have the Craftsman (Black Body) ... It has come to the rescue doing Carbs; too.

Will undo stuck Carb Top Screws and Fuel Bowl Drain Screws without a lot of fuss and bother!

 

Thanks Taz, I stand corrected. Nice picture too! One of the best investments you can make as far as tools are concerned.

 

I bought myself one this morning, thanks. I'll give it a go on the weekend and hope it works...

 

Wait for the weekend? The impact driver is so much fun you'll be looking for stuck, buggered screws to use it on. Do it now!

 

I've got to take the caliper off the bike to use it though, and I don;t like getting dirty before work, and I finish work at 7:00 tonight and its raining and cold outside (about 13deg celsius, and its lunchtime!!!)

 

Fun?
I don't know that it's "Fun" using the darn thing. What with keeping the object steady and the left-hand torgue loaded to make the impact strike move the whatever's stuck.

I will say that it's a time saver and an adventure in Physics that the thing works as well as it does.

I used to keep it in the Plastic Case it comes in. Had a spot for it down in the Seldom used tools drawer. Now, it lives among the Metric Combination Wrenches with the Bits in a little plastic tub that Crystal Lite comes packaged in.

I even let people use it.
Not that I like having to loan-out tools to others.
But, I figure ... If the thing was designed to be hit hard with a hammer ... what damage can they do?

 

wow... this thing is awesome, I can;t believe I haven't bought one of these before. It took all of 10sec to get the screw loose.

I had to compress the piston to put the caliper back on, and now the brakes don;t work!!!! Is it possible that I got air in the line somehow?

 

Yes. Possible and very likely. You should be doing a Change and Flush about now, anyway.

Search: Brake Bleeding and Master Cylinder Cleaning.

 

yeah, that was getting done next. Just hoping it wasn;t something bad..