How to change or clean rear pads (with pics)

Hey Guys,
 
This is my second post and my first "How To", so bear with me. 
 
When I bought my used Rhino (2007 450). I noticed that the parking brake didn't work. I tried adjusting it like in the manual, but something just didnt seem right. With the brake pulled, I could still push the Rhino by hand. So, I began investigating.
 
So, this is a "How TO", on how to clean the back brake if your parking brake isnt functioning. Which is basically the same procedure as changing the rear pads.
 
Tools Needed:
8MM socket with 1/4 rachet (I used a cordless drill with a 1/4 inch attachment)
14MM socket with 3/8 rachet
Needle nose pliers
5MM Allen wrench
 
(these were needed to clean the brake calipers and pads)
some type of all purpose oil
small flatblade screw driver
a small wire brush
 
1) Remove the master cylinder cap from the reservoir
 

 
2) Get under the back of the vehicle. Look up between the rear tires. There is a skid plate. This has 7 bolts in it, that must be removed.
 

 
3) Grab your trusty needle nose pliers and squeeze the plastic holders of the brake line and parking brake line from the frame area:
 

 
4) Get out from underneath the vehicle. Lift the tilt bed. Here is the Caliper!
 

 
5) Here is the 14MM top bolt that needs to be removed. Remove it with either a 14MM wrench, or a 14mm socket.
 

 
6) Go back underneath, grab your 14mm wrench or rachet. Remove bottom bolt
 

 
7)Caliper should be loose enouth to slice off of its bracket and rotor. Gently twist it so you can get your hands on the parking brake cable. Slide the parking cable out of its holder. (See Yellow Arrow)
 

 
remove it, by rotating the cable around where it will fit through the slot.
 

 
Grab your 5mm allen wrench and remove these bolts/pins.
 

 
9) As you can see my pins were pretty bad off.
 

 
So I used some 1000 grit sandpaper (green arrow) and GENTLY sanded these back to a nice smooth shine. (using spit as lubricant), LOL! Yeah I know that sounded bad.
 

 
I think they came out pretty good
 
10) Remove the pads now. Mine were pretty bad as well. However I still had a lot of pad left. So, I used my flathead screwdriver and GENTLY scraped the mud out of the grooves. I also used a soft wire brush to gently brush the rest of the pad to remove any mud as well.
 

 
Using the soft wire brush, I worked the pad surface a little to bring it back to a normal state
 

 
11) Remove the spring that gives the pads tension against the pins:
Seen here
 

 
12) Clean out this area where the spring sat
 

 
13) Here is the caliper piston. Mine was gummed up pretty good. So, I gently cleaned the outer surface with a soft wire brush
 

 
14) I then used some all in one oil and put about 10 drops on the area where the piston met the caliper and let it sink in for a few seconds.
 

 
15) I then grabbed the needle nose pliers and turned the piston clockwise to compress the piston into the caliper.
 

 
**** Make sure when you spin the piston that you put it in this orientation. It should have the tips of the cross to the sides. (Green Arrows), this is due to the pin in the pad (Yellow circle) needs to sit in the cross hair.
 

 
16) Put the spring back in if you removed it to clean
 

 
17)I grabbed the pads (or in your case new pads) and reinstalled them in the caliper. The spring will give you some tension against them, so be prepared.
 
18) Install the pins now and tighten them down. (Make sure to add a tiny bit of grease on them, just to prevent any further rust ( Thanks Jeff )) The spring will make you press the pads down into the caliper to insert the pins
 
19) It should look like this
 

 
20) grab some brake cleaner and wipe off the rotor.
 
21) reattach the parking brake cable to the caliper
 
22) put the caliper back on the rotor
 
23) put the bottom bolt in, but do NOT tighten it down yet.
 

 
24) Put top bolt in and tighten it down
 
25) Now Tighten up bottom bolt
 
26) Put the brake holders back in their places on the frame areas
 
27) Put the skid plate back on the bottom.
 
28) Put the brake reservoir cap back on.
 
Voila! now go enjoy your Rhino with a working parking brake.
 
Hope this helps some people that had trouble with the back pads.

great writeup, joey! thanks for taking the time and sharing

08Rhino450SE wrote:

great writeup, joey! thanks for taking the time and sharing

You're welcome! I will be doing more as I mod the 450.

Once I receive the Sheave, I will try and do a How-to on that as well.

nice job, prolly the most computer literate cop I've seen...lol

Good write up..this will help a lot of people!!

That's an awesome job, well done Joey.

Nice. I just did this (also the fronts) and it stopped the squeaks and grinding. At least for a while. Thanks for sharing.

good job an great write-up , when I did mine the floater pins where froze-up , you should pull them an add a little grease while your in there.

Thanks guys!

Good Point Jeff!

Just added it!