How to Change Hayes Brake Pads

Hayes brake pads are made for bikes. Although these types of pads started out as an advanced braking system on bicycles, they are now used on motorcycles as well. They can be made of ceramic or a metallic compound. The pads are often used in conjunction with a brake rotor system as opposed to a rim-based brake system. All brake pads are wear components, meaning they will wear down eventually. If you own a bike and your brake pads wear down to 1/8 inch thick, replace them.

Instructions

1

Remove the bike tire. This will vary greatly depending on the type of bike you have. For example, for bicycles, unhook the braking mechanism (again, this will vary depending on the style of bike you have - mountain bike, touring bike, 10-speed, etc.), and shift the bike into the smallest sprocket. Then release the quick release lever for your bike and pull the wheel out. For motorcycles, use the pliers to pull the cotter pin out of the hub nut, and use a socket wrench to loosen/remove the hub nut before dropping the wheel down.

2

Remove the pads. Once the wheel is out of the way, grab onto the tabs on the bottom of the pads of the Hayes disk brake and pull them out of the caliper.

3

Insert the new pads. Installation is the reverse of removal.

4

Spread the pads using the cone wrench. To do this, place the end of the cone wrench between the brake pads and push in to make sure the pads are pushed securely into the caliper.

5

Put the wheel back on. Installation is the reverse of removal.