Video: How to Easily Inspect and Clean E-Bike Brake Pads

In most cases, you likely won't need to pull apart your hydraulic brake pads yourself. If you're unfamiliar with brake maintenance and repair, we suggest you have your bike serviced at your local shop.

For those of you who are brake-savvy and need a guide to glance at, Magnum Bikes' video will show you how to remove, clean, and reinstall your e-bike's pads and brakes with ease (and a little elbow grease).

Tools You’ll Need:

60-80 Grit Sandpaper
Micrometer
Isopropyl Alcohol
3mm Allen Wrench
5mm Allen Wrench
Rag/Cloth

Tool list

Removing The Brake Pads

Remove the two connecting bolts with a 5mm wrench.
Take off the adaptor and the two bolts.
Use the 3mm wrench to unscrew the small bolt next to the cable.
Using your finger, push the top of the brake down through the receiver to loosen the pads.
Pinch the pads to remove them from the brake.

Removing the brake adaptor

Removing the brake pads

Inspecting & Cleaning The Pads

Check for the brake pad thickness with a micrometer. Note: 3-4mm thickness is an acceptable range for brake pads. Anything below 3mm needs to be replaced.
To clean, use sandpaper (something between 60 to 80 grit) to scrub the pad face down.
After a few swipes, check the pads for cleanliness and thickness.

Checking brake pad thickness with multimeter

Cleaning brake pads using sandpaper

Clean vs. dirty brake pad comparison

Installing The Pads & Unit To Your Disc

To start, place the pads onto the metal spring.
Clean the brake using Isopropyl Alcohol and wipe the excess liquid with a rag.
Pinch the pads together to actuate the spring.
At a slight angle, insert the pads until you hear an audible click.
Use the 3mm Allen wrench to secure the small bolt.
Making sure your brake adapter is pointed in the upward direction, align your brake pads to the rotor, place your adapter, and tighten using a 5mm Allen wrench.