Disc Caliper Brake Pad Spacer?

[pinkshirt]

I've heard something about having spacers for your calipers when you take your wheels out so that the pads stay apart. Are these necessary? How big of a deal is it if the pads come together (someone squeezes the lever without the rotor in the caliper)?

[wokerhopper]

You don't want that to happen, sometimes you can push the pistons back into their bores but this can allow air into the system and you brakes will feel like mush. Then you have to bleed and start all over, spacers are cheap insurance to not have to bleed!!

[qheuie]

to clarify, this is only an issue with hydraulic brakes, not cable actuated.

my shimano brakes came with spacers. i also have some hayes wedges i picked up somewhere in our travels that work pretty well. i would guess some shops have them, call around.
i have also used: folded up piece of paper, wood shim

[Nutmeg]

I have been usin' corrugated cardboard, it works well, I have extras in my car and can give you a chunk when I see you.

[lostboy]

I have been usin' corrugated cardboard, it works well, I have extras in my car and can give you a chunk when I see you.

that was the trick I was taught as well.

[Standard]

The problem with cardboard is that it will still compress if the lever is pulled.

It's very unlikely that any harm will come from pulling the lever without the rotor or a pad spacer in there, but it can be a pain. The pistons will just move farther out of the bore and make it tough to get the wheel back on, if there's even enough space to get the rotor through.

If the pistons do get pushed out a bit, you just need to carefully push them back in. It's usually best to do it without the pads in, but I've had good luck leaving them in and using a flathead screwdriver and gentle prying. Just try not to gouge the pad.

[pinkshirt]

Cool thanks, I figured that would be the gist of it, but I know that most mtb parts are much more fragile than motocross parts, so i wanted to make sure. I think I'm just going to make some out of polypro or copoly tomorrow at work.

Thanks everyone!