03-28-17
Continued from Previous Post...
The brake bundle comes with L02A resin pads. This build will be using L04C metallic pads but the resin pads from the kit were installed just to get a feel for how everything fits together.
A bleed block comes installed into the caliper. These are the yellow parts in the pictures below and they prevent the pistons from extending too far out during the bleeding process and whenever the calipers don't have pads and rotor between the pistons.
The bleed block is removed by pulling the snap retainer off the slide pin and unscrewing the pin with a flat tip screwdriver. I wish the slide pin were a hex head bolt but my guess is that Shimano engineers made it a slotted bolt so that ham-fisted mechanics wouldn't strip threads in the caliper. Pads slide back and forth on this pin and it is important not to scratch or damage it to the extent that it is possible.
It is extremely important that the pad friction surfaces do not get contaminated with brake fluid, oil or grease of any kind or any other potential contaminants. Handle with care and don't touch the friction material with your fingers!
The spring is sandwiched between the pads as shown and the pads with spring are slid into the caliper. Unlike automotive brakes, Shimano warns not to use lubricant on the slide pin or anti-squeal treatment on the back of the pads.
The slide pin is reinstalled and captures the pads and spring by way of holes in the parts pictured above. The retainer clip is attached to the end of the slide pin to hold it all together. An orange brake block is then inserted where the rotor would normally go when the caliper is mounted on the bike. Similar to the bleed blocks, the brake blocks prevent pistons from extending too far and are used during the bleeding process.
Everything was packed up in an obsessively organized way and put back into the closet for another day.
If you have ever worked on automotive brakes then these will be no problem at all. A big plus that a floor jack or jackstands are not needed.
-Tim-