Brake pads

[SPDSNYPR]

How long they usually last w/ just moderate trail riding?

And when you change them, is there anything tricky or unexpected? Have only changed pads on pickups and jeeps before, so I'm assuming it's similar.

[honda400ex2003]

1 year for a good set. I use ebc severe duty they are great. I use them and when mudding and stuff go through a set a season otherwise during normal use alittle over a year. steve

[ae13291]

i bought some cheap ebay pads that are sintured metal material, i am very satisfied with them, they fit right in perfect and the brakes are very good, and they try off quick after mud and work good again

[ZJTurbo]

EBC Severe Duty and be done with it.

[sprayedgt]

The stock Honda set that was on it when I got in brand new lasted only 150 miles. The second set were EBC severe duty and lasted about the same length of time. I'm on my 3rd set now. I do mostly very aggressive muddy and dusty trail riding, and hill climbs.

[SPDSNYPR]

Thanks. Ended up getting a set of the EBC severe duty pads. Will have plenty of time to put them on since it's supposed to snow a crapload tonight.

[honda400ex2003]

have fun with it we got our 2 inches last night plus we are suppose to get some tomorrow. good choice on the pads, steve

[SPDSNYPR]

They're talking 6-12 inches here, and are talking well over a foot in the panhandle. That's just unheard of here. This state will shut down if that much snow actually falls. I'm going to try my hand at riding in the snow if it does. It'd be a first for me. :D

[honda400ex2003]

It is fun till you get into too much adn start getting stuck. then you get stuck every 10' trying to get out of it.:blah: you'll enjoy drifting and such but yoiu dont have teh traction. I ride in it for 3 months +, it starts to get old once you see it for so long. LOL, steve

[SPDSNYPR]

It snowed a crapload after raining for a half day hard. The ground was so warm after a week of high 80's that it just melted as it landed. So it's just soup out there. I ain't gonna ride in it.

Maybe next winter we'll actually get a snow accumulation and I can go play in it. Hopefully on the same set of brake pads I'm gettin' ready to put in. :D

[Red02EX]

Do the caliper pistons twist in like rear calipers on a car or do they just press in like front automotive calipers?

[honda400ex2003]

I have always just pushed mine in no twisting. Steve

[honda400ex2003]

sorry to hear about the snow it is 30 degrees here right now. steve

[sprayedgt]

Just use a C clamp to push the piston back in.

[81-Honda-04]

sorry to take you guys off the snow subject, we accually had about an inch of snow last night here in St. Louis but the ground was too warm for it to stick. But i was looking for new brake pads for my 2004 400ex and i looked on motosport.com and they have all different shapes! how do i know which ones will fit my bike? i have the stock calibars. Thanks in advance for any replies!

[SPDSNYPR]

Since I've been screwing around, I haven't gotten around to putting them on, but they're all the same size from what I can tell. I ordered a right front, left front, and rear from RMATV, and the packages are identical and they look the same. In the service manual they look the same also. I'll let you know when I quit playing Simpson's Operation with the kids. I'm kicking their asses right now. . . .:D

[honda400ex2003]

they are the same. you are all set, steve

[gpd005]

You guys should really try out DP Brakes! I have tried all the other mentioned and DP out last and out perferm all of the others. They cost a little more but man are they ever worth it.

[honda400ex2003]

I will have to look into them next time around. thanks for the info, steve

[SPDSNYPR]

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Well I finally got around to trying to put them on. No dice. I can't get those *******s in. Just tried the rear brakes, but the pads are too thick. I can't get the piston compressed enough to get the damned thing back on the disc. This is infuriating. Clamped the piston down with a pair of vice grip c-clamps as tight as they would go.

Any guesses? I can't return the pads now that they're out of the package and scratched up from trying to put them on. Oh - did I mention :mad: :mad: :mad:

[morrisbeer]

Did you pull the top of the brake reservoir and drain off some brake fluid?

[SPDSNYPR]

Originally posted by morrisbeer
Did you pull the top of the brake reservoir and drain off some brake fluid?

Yeah - nada. I guess I'll just go by the dealership tomorrow and buy factory brake pads to see if there is a difference in the thickness of the pads.

[honda400ex2003]

what pads did you buy? they should fit in if they are made for the 400. I am not sure if you had the tops of the res. off. steve

[SPDSNYPR]

They are the some shape as the very worn ones I took out - but I can't do anything to get the piston down far enough to get the pads to fit over the disc. They're all the same (all three sets I ordered EBC extreme duty pads). I've put brakes on cars before, and this seems similar - but I just can't make it work. I'm following the steps in the shop manual. I can move the piston up and down - there's plenty of movement there. It's just a bit too snug.

I just put on 450 shocks in half the time I spent trying to put on brake pads. Just frustrating. I wanted to go ride tomorrow. I'll be screwing with my brakes instead. Oh well. Doo doo happens I guess.

[k4f5x0r]

they always rub a little when you put fresh pads on. just ride until the pads break in and youll be fine ;)

[SPDSNYPR]

Originally posted by k4f5x0r
they always rub a little when you put fresh pads on. just ride until the pads break in and youll be fine ;)

No - I can't physically get them on.

[81-Honda-04]

hey im planing on ordering brakes tomorrow from motosport and i wanted to know what is the best pair i can get from them bc i get a discount for them screwing up my last order. also i wanted to get an outerwares cover, do i need to keep my airbox lid if i have one of those i do a lot of trail riding and mud and a bit of everything. i was going to try and drill holes in my box

[81-Honda-04]

anyone? :huh

[SPDSNYPR]

I just bought some pads from the dealership today. They went on with no problem. The one I got were the right shape, but just too thick. Odd. But I'd warn anyone not to waste your money on the EBC brake pads. At least for the rear. Haven't tried it on the front - but I don't hold out much hope.

[honda400ex2003]

i wont buy anything but ebc pads. sorry you had such a problem i never have or heard of anyone else who has. at least you got something to work for you, steve

[81-Honda-04]

so how does this sound for my Motosport.com CART?

2009 O'NEAL YOUTH ELEMENT BOOTS

EBC "R" SERIES SINTERED BRAKE PADS - FRONT

EBC "R" SERIES SINTERED BRAKE PADS - REAR

OUTERWEARS AIRBOX COVER

let me know! thanks!
-Nate

[honda400ex2003]

sounds like a winning combo to me!! LOL you will like all of it. steve

[yellowhonda400]

hey i have a question about pads. i need new pads everyone says buy the ebc's they are the best but my problem is i wheelie ride and trail ride so what are good pads for me.

[honda400ex2003]

severe duty would be fine for you or the sintered but they are alot softer compound and will wear faster. steve