Brake pads seized to pistons

[Slinn84]

Checked the brake pads of my new ZZR1200 over the weekend only to find that the pads are seized solid to the pistons. Obviously the showroom I bought it from neglected to check them before they sold it to me, even though they stamped the service record.

Anyway, with my confidence in garages fastly disappearing, I've ordered some new seals and pads for the front brakes and I'm gonna overhaul this weekend, however I'm not sure how to get the old pads off without damaging the pistons. Any suggestions?

[stinkwheel]

Shock and release spray and/or penetrating oil (as opposed to WD40).

Start spraying now to give it time to soak.

That said, if you are doing the seals, it might act to your advantage. Might make it easier to pull the pistons out if they are stuck to the pad, then you can put the pad in a vice and knock the piston off it with a bit of wood and a hammer.

Mind you. If it is so corroded you can't get the pads off the pistons, I'd imagine the pistons would need replacing.
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[lonner]

hi if it was my zzr11 same brakes i would un-bolt the caliper from the disc and then lever the pads and pistons back into the caliper.
then put a socket extension bar at one end and then use the brake lever to apply some pressure (don't go mad) the force at one side should break the rust seal hth

or nip it to the shop and moan at them

[the grim reaper]

I've seen pads with sticky pads on the back to deliberately stick them to the pistons, before now, although not on any recent bikes.

I'd do as zzr reckons, drop the calipers off, wedge something between the pads and gently squeeze the brake lever, should break the seal nicely. Are the pistons rusting or is it some alloy corrosion? I wouldn't expect a relatively new bike to have that sort of issue yet.

Cheers

Grim
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[Slinn84]

Thanks for the info guys

The pistons aren't rusting, (well i certainly hope not),

Think its a mixture of the road salt and rain with the fact that the pads haven't been copper greased to stop them sticking. Its pretty obvious that the brakes haven't been serviced for a while. Just hope they come off relatively easily or it'll mean a new set of pistons too, then things start getting expensive.