How to Replace Brake Pads on Pulsar 150 (Step-by-Step)

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 is the workhorse of Bangladesh's streets — and the front brake pad wears out faster than most owners expect, especially in Dhaka's stop-and-go traffic. If you hear a metallic scrape when you squeeze the front lever, or if the lever pulls closer to the grip than it used to, the pads are near the end. Replacing them yourself takes about 40 minutes with basic tools and costs a fraction of a workshop visit.

When brake pads are actually due

The friction material on a factory Pulsar 150 pad is roughly 4 mm thick when new. Ride it down past 1.5 mm and stopping distance climbs sharply. Signs to watch for:

• A high-pitched squeal at low braking effort — the wear indicator biting the rotor.
• Grinding on hard stops (metal-on-metal — replace immediately, the disc is being damaged).
• Spongy lever feel that returns after a firm double-pump.
• Pad backing plate visibly close to the rotor when peeked through the caliper window.

Tools and parts you'll need

• 10 mm and 12 mm sockets, an Allen key set, a torque wrench if you have one.
• A C-clamp or a large flat-blade screwdriver to press the piston back.
• Brake cleaner spray, a clean rag, and a small amount of copper anti-squeal grease.
• A fresh set of pads. On Jantro Bazar you can compare genuine Bajaj (৳750–950) and reputable aftermarket options like EBC or Ferodo (৳550–800). Browse the brake system category for current listings.

Step-by-step: front pad replacement

1. Park on the centre stand and let the caliper cool completely — hot pads bind.
2. Loosen the two 12 mm caliper bolts on the fork leg. Slide the caliper up and off the rotor.
3. Pull the retaining pin (small Allen bolt on the caliper's back) and slide the old pads out.
4. Wipe the caliper with brake cleaner. Never use engine degreaser — it leaves residue.
5. Compress the piston fully back into the caliper. If brake fluid overflows the master cylinder reservoir, syphon a little out first.
6. Apply a rice-grain of anti-squeal grease to the back of each new pad (never on the friction face).
7. Fit the new pads, reinsert the retaining pin, slide the caliper back over the rotor, and torque the mounting bolts to 22 Nm.
8. Pump the front lever 5–6 times until it firms up. Do not ride until it does.

Rear brake — a quick note

The 2018+ Pulsar 150 with the rear disc uses the same procedure at the rear caliper. Drum-brake models need shoes, not pads — a different job that requires removing the rear wheel.

Bedding-in the new pads

For the first 100 km, avoid emergency stops. Perform 8–10 progressive stops from 40 km/h down to walking speed to transfer an even friction layer onto the rotor. Skipping this step causes glazing and early squeal.