rear brakes

[J Robbins]

I just bought a 2003 Goldwing 1800 without ABS and noticed that the brakes were almost metal to metal. I am trying to loosen the rear wheel to get the caliper off . Three out of Five lug nuts came loose but the other 2 are very tight. If I break the 2 remaining lug nuts by accident can the lug nuts be replaced without disassembly the differential and losing fluid ? Someone replaced the rear tire but not the pads why? Can someone please give me some info ? Thank-you John

[Viking]

First, to replace pads, you do not have to take the caliper off. The pads can be replaced by pulling the pin and sliding the pads out. Compress the caliper piston first using something to put backward pressure on the old pads.

As far as if your lug bolts can be replaced without pulling the diff apart, I do not know the answer to that one. I will try to find out tho. One thing you can try tho, is to put the three bolts back in and tighten them. Then try removing the other two. They may be slightly pressure wedged, and reapplying pressure evenly might relieve this.

[Steve F]

First, to replace pads, you do not have to take the caliper off. The pads can be replaced by pulling the pin and sliding the pads out. Compress the caliper piston first using something to put backward pressure on the old pads.

As far as if your lug bolts can be replaced without pulling the diff apart, I do not know the answer to that one. I will try to find out tho. One thing you can try tho, is to put the three bolts back in and tighten them. Then try removing the other two. They may be slightly pressure wedged, and reapplying pressure evenly might relieve this.

Agreed! Plus, a small shot of PB Blaster on the stuck lug nuts won't hurt either, just clean everything well before putting it all back together.
I don't think that removing the wheel is necessary to remove the caliper, just get the pads out first.

[J Robbins]

Thank you .I will put the nuts back on and remove the pin again thank you and could you please check on the lugs that way when I do have to take the wheel off to change the tire down the road thanks again.

[Viking]

could you please check on the lugs that way when I do have to take the wheel off to change the tire down the road thanks again.

Looking in the Parts Manual, (but for a 2006 or newer) it appears that the lug bolts are integral with the rear drive, and in order to change out lugs, you would need to open the drive. On the other hand, as they are double ended threaded studs, some patience involved might get one or two out without taking the drive apart. More hopefully is that you manage to remove the nuts without breaking the studs. Some heat with a propane torch could assist with this.

Once again tho... you might try tightening the three nuts you could get off, to their recommended torque or even a tiny bit tighter, which might give you the relief to get the other two off. Then the original three should still come off as you just put them on. A bit of grease on them, or neversieze would ensure this, and could be cleaned up later with some brake or carb cleaner. Be kinda nice to have a lift table to perform this on.

[J Robbins]

Tomorrow I will replace the pads, the other 3 lugs I will put antisieze as you suggested and I will spray the other 2 with penetrating oil and try to break them loose. Thank-you both for your assistance and help and wish me luck. Thank-you again for your help. J Robbins.

[thrasherg]

I would suggest driving to a local garage and see if they can undo all the nuts with a pneumatic impact driver, this can apply very large amounts of torque for very short periods of time and will usually undo any nut without breaking the stud, you can then tighten them yourself and drive home, then remove the wheel and do whatever you want to the wheel. Trying to take it off by hand with a long bar is far more likely to break the stud.

Gary

[J Robbins]

Ok that's what I will do thanks a lot for you all help

[Red Ron]

All of the above advice is good. You don't have to pull the wheel to change the pads. But you do if you want to take the caliper apart to grease the sliders and take a toothbrush and cleaning fluid to the pistons in the caliper. Sounds like it might have been a while if ever this was done.