Replacing front disk pads

[Mel46]

I was trying to look at the front disk pads on my PCX but they are hard to see, so I thought that I might remove them to look at them...and possibly replace them if they need to be replaced. The manual says that I just have to pull the brake pin and remove the pads. How hard are they to put back in, or replace? I don't want to start something that I can't finish.

[iceman]

Fairly easy and was the 1st job I did on my bike - along with swapping the caliper as the pistons and general state of the caliper after 4 years all-year round riding in UK weather and salty dirty roads had taken their toll.
The only thing you'll need to do is use a flat metal plate or such to push the pistons home as the new thick pads need all the space available between them to fit over the disc - it sounds worse than it actually is to do.
Best watch loads of youtube videos - it does not have to be for the PCX directly but there are some out there for the PCX that show the process.

[fish]

I always use a camera to check pad thickness.
You can stick it into angles/areas that your head won't fit.
Take a couple of shots....then check your photos.
Although, never hurts to lube caliper parts and open and close fasteners to prevent eventual seizing....
Fish

[iceman]

A good sign the pads are wearing out is if the fluid level in the handle-bar master reservoir goes down from what it used to be. Not normal for a leak, so if it gets lower then the pads are wearing out. Mine went down a lot and when the pads wore to almost nothing.

[Mel46]

With normal use, no heavy stop and go, how many miles should the brakes last? I am guessing that the rear brake lasts about twice as long as the front, so right now I am concentrating on the front brakes. Am I correct?

[mymitzi]

Mel.......Same type of riding.....my front pads lasted 40,000 miles.
Not down to metal but close. Just changed rear tire and rear shoes are still fine.

[iceman]

I use my bike all year round, 14 or so days / month even during winter and my front pads lasted around 13,000+ miles as I do not brake hard and use engine braking, easy to do for town commuting. I've now installed EBC pads, purchased for £11 off Ebay and when I checked with a Honda dealer, they supply the same ones as stock for £20 and have to order Honda originals if you want those! (same as the oil, my Honda bike dealer stocks Castrol 4-stroke fully synth, not the special 'Honda' oil some people believe they must use).
I bought a set or rear shoes and new clutch pads, but at 19,000 miles the clutch pads looked fine (having taken it apart the past few days) and the rear brake wear indicator shows all is good for the rear.

[Mel46]

I have one of my bikes with a little over 13,000 miles on it. I just ordered some new front pads that I will install. I guess I should check the brake fluid too, but it should be fine. IF I get brave I might change the brake fluid, but that is one thing that I have never been good at. I just can't bleed it very well. Thus, I usually leave that to the pros.

[iceman]

Draining and replacing the brake fluid was the hard part for me when I replaced the calliper assembly, mostly due to getting the inner front panels off to access the CBS reservoir - broke most of the tabs off those two panels. The service manual suggests they pull off with no screws, bolts or other main panels needing to be removed, which seems possible but the little yellow clips attached to the tabs must have got stiff and brittle with age thus made pulling the panels off harder than perhaps it should have been.

[Mel46]

I try to be very good to my bikes, but when it comes to things that it will have to go into the shop for I have to count my pennies. Being retired and on a fixed income means setting priorities.