Expert: Dave - 8/17/2008

Question
how do you change disc brakes
and hydrolic brake padson a mountain bike

Answer
Hello Marshall. It depends on what kind of brakes you have. Most have pads like so:

http://storesense4.megawebservers.com/stores/c/cycletofitness_com/catalog/avid_c...

Do you see the tabs directly perpendicular the the Avid logo on the caliper? Just remove the pads using those tabs.

Shimano calipers are a bot more complicated. This is a Shimano caliper:

http://www.shimano.com.au/publish/content/global_cycle/en/au/index/products/moun...

Do you see the pin toward the rear of the caliper held by the cotter pin? The cotter pin and the staff pin need to be removed. The pads hang on a ledge in the caliper, separated by a goofy spring. Use a needle nose pliers to extract the pads.

Other Shimano calipers may not use the cotter pin design but it will be similar. If you need more information or more help with the calipers and pads feel free to consult me again.
-Dave