Replacing Rear Brake Pads

I replaced the rear pads today.  The only bit I had trouble with was trying to force the piston back - in the end I undid the bleed screw and forced the fluid out as the piston went all the way back.  I then had to top up the brake fluid - it only required a small amount.  Is this the correct method or was I somehow supposed to get that piston back by applying even more pressure?    The service manual doesn't say that it will be necessary to undo the bleed screw.  Cheers.

Does your bike have ABS,Ewok?
Not sure if that has anything to do with not being able to push piston in or not. Can't say that I have played with ABS yet, but have read that it can be a bitch to bleed. 
My response is to reassure you that your method is as good as any, so long as you cleaned up any fluid spills and added compatible fluid to the system. It may be worth flushing the new fluid right through, just to be safe. Crack the nipple pump it down and top up the reservoir as you go, being carefull not to suck any air in. When you've got nice new fluid coming out, you're done.

Thanks Bosco - it is non-ABS (forgot to mention that).  Yeah, I agree, probably should completely replace the fluid.

The last rear pads I replaced was on the Gixer. Took the caliper off and pushed a big screwdriver between the old pads and "levered" the pistons back. I didn't crack the bleed nipple, just kept an eye on the fluid level in the reservoir.
I'd give the system a flush Ewok, just to make sure no air snuck into your system.
......what's this abs you talk about? Is it a fitness thing?? 

I removed the caliper & left the old pads in & used a lever on them to push the pistons back in .................give them a clean first so you don't stuff your seals up




Beat me to it sb LOL

Ewok1958 wrote:Thanks Bosco - it is non-ABS (forgot to mention that).  Yeah, I agree, probably should completely replace the fluid.

you should not mix brake fluid so i would bleed the old fluid out of the system, place a piece of clear plastic tube over the bleed nipple long enough to reach a bottle on the ground open the bleed nipple and just let it gravity feed and keep topping it up till the fluid coming out is the same as whats going in

Thanks guys.  The devil is in the detail, as they say.