SLIDE PIN CAUTION
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Central Washington State
SLIDE PIN CAUTION
I had to replace the infamous slide pins on my front brakes recently. I was under a time restraint so I bought new pad frames and pins. Yesterday I decided to try to remove the old, stuck pins and perhaps clean up the old frames and have a good set for next time. I heated the pad frame with a torch to loosen the stuck pin and it finally after considerable heat, started to turn. As I turned the pin I realized it was coming out of the hole on it's own, with a hissing sound. I quit turning and stepped away, just then I heard a sound like a gunshot and the pin shot out and dented a wood wall ten feet away. just say'in. Be careful. Fortunately I was alone so no one was hurt, but my 18 month old grandson had just left the shop.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
That is definitely on the scarey side. I am getting ready to do brakes all the way around, if one is that stuck, it is now officially trash, no hot wrenches, the kiddo, wife, mutts, horses, and ME aren't worth it.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 303
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From: Central Washington State
My new policy as well, I've learned a lot on here from the experience of others, this one's on me.
Last edited by puller45; Jun 13, 2011 at 09:59 PM. Reason: bad typing
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 66
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From: Salem, Oregon
Glad to hear you or no one else was in the way of the pin when it came out. I just got done with mine recently and after loosening the first set of pins using the hot wrench and having similar results except not as explosive, I decided to buy new caliper brackets and pins for the other three. I've been around too many scary incidents with heat and combustibles, those pins basicly turn into really big heavy projectiles. Not worth chancing it IMO.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
Just wondering if you have any idea why that happened? Not sure if everyone understands it or not, but figured I'd point out why it happened so nothing like this happens to anyone else in any other situation.
The slide pins are lubricated with grease. When they seize up, they effectively "seal" themselves to the frame. There is some air space between the end of the pin and the frame. This airspace usually has a bunch of built up grease in it. When you started heating it up the grease started boiling and building up gas...you effectively created a bullet in a gun....good thing you recognized it and backed off.
The slide pins are lubricated with grease. When they seize up, they effectively "seal" themselves to the frame. There is some air space between the end of the pin and the frame. This airspace usually has a bunch of built up grease in it. When you started heating it up the grease started boiling and building up gas...you effectively created a bullet in a gun....good thing you recognized it and backed off.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 303
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From: Central Washington State
Just wondering if you have any idea why that happened? Not sure if everyone understands it or not, but figured I'd point out why it happened so nothing like this happens to anyone else in any other situation.
The slide pins are lubricated with grease. When they seize up, they effectively "seal" themselves to the frame. There is some air space between the end of the pin and the frame. This airspace usually has a bunch of built up grease in it. When you started heating it up the grease started boiling and building up gas...you effectively created a bullet in a gun....good thing you recognized it and backed off.
The slide pins are lubricated with grease. When they seize up, they effectively "seal" themselves to the frame. There is some air space between the end of the pin and the frame. This airspace usually has a bunch of built up grease in it. When you started heating it up the grease started boiling and building up gas...you effectively created a bullet in a gun....good thing you recognized it and backed off.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
Yeah, this ain't my first rodeo, but you are right, there may be some who didn't understand. My mistake was that I didn't expect the pin to be sealed that well, and I used a little too much heat. At 66 I often find that there is still learning to do. Fortunately, I am still able.
No worries. Never know who people are online till ya meet 'em or what they know. Just figured I'd make sure I posted up why so that if anyone didn't get it, they would understand the "why".
