How to Change Brake Pads on a Harley Heritage Softail
by Robert GoodUpdated November 07, 2017
Items you will need
Allen wrench
Screwdriver
New brake pads
The brake pads on your Harley Heritage Softail are what allow you to stop while you're riding. Harley Davidson manufactures a specific brake pad that you'll need to buy from your Harley dealer before you can perform this job. You need to change the brake pads on a regular schedule, depending on how many miles you ride your Softail. Changing the brake pads on your Heritage Softail is not difficult to complete and will keep you safe while you are riding.
Remove the bolts from the calipers using the allen wrench. On a Heritage Softail with fixed calipers, rotate the caliper retaining pins until the ends of the retaining clips are exposed, and then remove the clips with pliers.
Pull the brake calipers off of the rotors and inspect the calipers for cracks or other damages. Remove the brake pad from the caliper and squeeze the brake handle or foot pedal to force the piston out of the caliper. Clean the caliper pistons to remove any debris. Use the screwdriver to push the caliper piston all the way back into the caliper.
Insert the new brake pads into the caliper. Replace the caliper to the rotor. Replace the bolts that secure the caliper to the rotor using the allen wrench.
Warnings
Not replacing the brake pads correctly may cause your brakes to fail while you are riding on the road.
References
- "2004 Harley Davidson Softail Models Official Service Manual;" Harley Davidson Motors; 2004
- "Harley-Davidson Softail: How To Hop-Up & Customize;" Timothy Remus; Jan 19, 2006
Writer Bio
Living in Tucson, Ariz., Robert Good has been writing from 2003 on a wide variety of subjects ranging from sports, gardening and cooking to auto repair, home maintenance and travel. Good holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of the State of New York.
