Help, where does this mystery brake part go?

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:32 pm

Well I have to say 1st that I'm a bit embarassed to have to ask this. I went and picked up some front brake pads today and I've been very careful to take a close look at everyhting before taking it apart. I got the bolts that hold the caliper on taken off. I have the circular clip off the pin and I removed the pin. Both brake pads came out as well as this 3rd mystery part. It looks like some sort of compressionpiece. Its shaped kind of like the letter I and it has half circle hump in the middle. I didn't see it before it just fell out the bottom of the caliper. Anyone know where the heck this thing goes? I'll try to get a pic of it to post but wanted to get this posted as soon as I could. Thanks in advance for helping out with this rather idiotic error of mine

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:40 pm

That's the compression plate that the pin holds in.

The I will have a hook or bend on one end of the capital (if it were a column). That should line up with a notch or at least a clean spot on the caliper.

The | part should run parallel to the pads. The bend in the | part will point inwards towards the pads and the retaining pin goes on the backside of the bend.

Best I can do without pics

Good luck!

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:47 pm

o.k. thanx that helps alot. Thats what it looked like but I wasnt sure. There is a worn place in the center that looks like where it should meet the pin. . Now I can try to go play with it and see which way seems to fit best. I posted some pics so if that gives you any insight, I'm all ears, or hmm, eyes

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:55 pm

The bottom part on that first picture are the "Hooks" that will go over the outside of the caliper. Again, look for an outline of brake dust on a clean area.

In the second pic, the pin likely goes in the divot between the two bumps. The pads will have a hole that the pin goes in. That plate goes against the caliper and pushes the pin away from it, which keeps the pads in alignment

Take the caliper, put pads in, then the pin in, and use that as a guide to see which way the plate will rest. Off the fork, of course.

Maybe someone's kind enough to set their camera to Macro mode and snap a pic of the Buddy 50's caliper from the spine of it?

Good luck!

[Edited because I remembered the caliper incorrectly]

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:15 pm

O.K. using the wear marks on the top of the pads and your stellar info I think I have it all put back together properly

Now all I have to do is take it for a slow speed test ride around my neighborhood and not get hurt

If all goes well then I will post how I completed the process with pics.

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:31 pm

O.K. so I took it around the block and The noise has stopped which is good. The bad is that I only traveled 0.7 miles around the block braking approximatly 10-15 times (speed bumps) andwhen I got home the disc was supper freaking hot (I actually burned my fingure when I touched it). I put the scooter on the jack so that I could move it freely and the pads are rubbing on the disc, slightly, but constantly. This doesn't seem normal at all. Any ideas?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:53 pm

That's normal. The new pads need to "bed in" to the rotor. As they get used, the backs of the pads will have the pots imprint on the backside (the circles from the old pads) which will also help them clear the rotor.

You'll have diminished braking capacity until the new pads bed in. Find an open parking lot, and ride around it to about 25 mph. Break firmly until almost stopping, then speed back up with no brakes on to get some cooling air on the rotors.

Do this a few times and you'll notice that your brakes will begin to work better.

Even normal rotors will burn your fingers if you touch them right after a ride.

jasondavis48108 · Post by **jasondavis48108** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:20 pm

WEll Lost, I cannot thank you enough for your help with the project. I did have the compression plate backwards so I fixed that. I don't think it really made much of a difference but I figure its better safe than sorry especially with brakes. Luckily when I was reviewing the photos that I took to document the process I saw the edge of the plate in one of the photos which helped me fix the error

I also feel much better now about the slight rubbing. Oh the fun of learning how to work on the scooter. Its a mix of shear joy and terror

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:24 pm

No Problem.

Now go make us a How-to for the Buddy 50 pad change!