Brake servicing?

[Flip]

Anyone know how much it would cost to service my front brake as I have decided they're sh1t.

Needs new pads, a fluid change, a damn good clean and I think one of the pistons has seized.

Any ideas?

Not sure if I fancy doing it myself.

[Scotsman37]

Nah, do it yourself!

A set of Allen Keys are need if you don't have any try this site as they sell all sizes!

https://www.tooled-up.com/searchresultbasic.asp?SearchType=2&Keywords=allen+keys&ProdCode=&QSearchButt.x=0&QSearchButt.y=0

E-mail Z Power (Official OEM Kawasaki importer for the UK) and they will get back to you with a price for replacement caliper pistons & rubber seals.

https://www.z-power.co.uk/frameset.htm

£15 to £17 x 2 for a front set of brake pads either sintered or standard

https://shop.wemoto.com/index.dyn

£5 for normal Dot 4 brake fluid or buy Silkolene's Pro Race 2000 @ £11.35

https://www.710supplies.com/shop/silkbrakefluid.htm

Buy a product designed to clean brakes/calipers.

https://www.710supplies.com/shop/silkaerosols.htm

Plus buy a rubber mallet too as to help with shifting stubburn brake calipers on/off without damaging the caliper itself or any other part of it surrounding it.

https://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=13296

Also, get this Draper Caliper Wind Back Tool too to help push back brake calipers so as to remove the brake pads and get something like a hard bristled toothbrush or something similar to aid with cleaning off the road crap from the calipers.

Draper Caliper Wind Back Tool

https://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=16508

[Retro-Man]

I would agree its perfectly simple to do yourself but if you don't have all the equipment you might have to weigh up the cost of the tools against the £30.00 it would cost to have a dealer do it.

I would say that once you own these tools however they will be infinitley useful.
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[Jrod]

I have to agree with them, do it yourself. Its a couple of hours work just fiddling about.

My top tip:
When bleeding the brakes take the nipple out completely and cover the hole with your thumb, make sure you have enough pressure on it to form a seal when you release the lever. Pump it and you will feel liquid coming through then when you have done it enough squeeze the lever in very SLOWLY and as you do this screw the nipple in, by the time the nipples doen up the lever shouldnt be pulled all the way in but will of kept air getting back into the system.

[map]

If you DIY I'd do it one job at once, although replacing the pads is an easy one.
• Remove calipers and free the piston.
• While calipers out clean and replace pads.
• Remember in addition to Scotsman37's list you'll need copper grease when putting them back together.
• When done brake calipers then do the fluid change.

Agree for the first time it might be a little intimidating.
Changing the fluid can be a bit of a hassle, particularly as it's so harmful to paint finish.
You could compromise and do some yourself and dealer/garage do the rest (although this won't save much in labour charges).

MCN has online .pdf files on sorting brakes that may help you - click here

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[ProXimaCore]

Definetely do it yourself. I having no experience really with anything like that just tinkered around in the garage and had it done in no time from just guessing.

Well I got my dad to double check I done it right, to make sure it was safe.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[Flip]

Just down loaded all the guides. Top find.

Thanks for the help fellas.

[fuzz]

My top tip:

Bend a tube in two and secure it with some tape (I used the tube from the Scottoiler when you need to put air pressure in the system). Get the spanner on the bleed nipple then put the pipe on. Open up the nipple slightly and pump the brake a few times to get the fluid past the bend. This should keep some fluid in the tube and stop the air going back in, and is much less fiddley than taking the nipple out. Keep topping up the reservoir and pumping the lever until the bubbles stop coming out.
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Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800