Brake pad problem

[GRU]

so i just changed my front brake pads...the problem is, i never changed brakes on a bike but change pads on cars all the time....i was a little confused to see that there is nothing holding the smaller brake pad (the one closest to the pistons) in place....when i took off the brake caliper the smaller brake pad just fell out and i couldn't see any clips that are suposed to hold the brake pad in place from falling out...

did i not see something or is there nothing holding the smaller brake pad from falling out of the caliper?

[Kerry]

Your bike's a '92, right?  I've only dealt with a '96 and a '99 (different-style brake pads than the '89-'95 models), but your description matches my pads.  A pin goes through one end of the smaller pad, but there's nothing like that on the other end.

Anybody out there have experience with the '89-'95 front caliper and pads?

[tkm433]

[Blueknyt]

Using Old pad across both cups, compress the pistons back into the caliper. the small pad will fit into slots in the bracket alot easyer without the pistons pushed out.you will see what i mean.  make sure the tensioner spring is still in place(Part #7) when you set the pads.

[GRU]

i did all that last night but i was suprised that there is nothing holding the smaller brake pad (closest to the pistons) from falling out....the pad is good from side to side, and will not fall out that way....i feel like it can fall out from the bottom of the caliper....

am i going crazy or? is there nothing holding the brake pad from falling out through the bottom?

thanks

[scratch]

That's normal. It's a very small tang on the brake pad and a short notch on the calipers, so often, when the pads are worn down the pistons will have pushed the pads past the notches. Just press the pistons back in, as Blueknyt has stated, but watch out for your brake master cylinder, it may overflow from the brake fluid being forced back up through the brakeline.

[GRU]

the thing is that i don't have my bike at my house (building   ) so i can't look at it right now...it's at my cousins house and i did the job yesturday...i did everything like i would do on a car...open the master cylinder cap, compress the piston, put in the new brake pad's and that's when i was suprised to see no pins or anything like that holding the smaller brake pad...

but, i did take the bike for a short ride (not even 400 meters) just to see how everything works and the brakes work good...when i got back into the garage, i inspected the brake pads and the smaller one didn't move at all so i should be good....

thanks