My rear brake is locked on, the pedal will not move and there is resistance from the pad on the rotor. Has anyone every experienced this? Anyone have a possible solution to the problem?

The front brake still works perfectly.

Rode the bike all day and there were no problems, washed the bike the following day without starting it and put it back in the garage. A day later, started it up, and there you have it....locked rear brakes.

Gladly accepting any advice, I really don't want to run it down to the dealer.

Thanks in advance.

 

Did you happen to use a power washer on it ?

 

crack the bleeder valve and release some fluid.

see if you can press the pads away from the rotor - a plastic scrapper will be good- don't use anything that could screw up the rotor.

how are the temps there- freezing yet? if so water in the fluid can turn to ice and apply pressure.


in any case the first step is to flush the system with new brake fluid from a sealed container* of the correct type.

after that it is to check the function/ seals of the master cylinder and caliper

mike


* many fluids have the ability to absorb moisture from the air and can be corrupted.
a cool trick from the darkoom:
when pouring fluids out of a bottle, put glass marbles in the bottle to displace air, so that little air is left in the bottle when you replace the top.
careful on the next pour

 

Two possibilities come to mind: corrosion has locked one or more piston in place, or a hydraulic lock. Deal with the second first, as Mike suggests above. Bleed and flush the system. That may release the pistons, but it is worth then removing the caliper and cleaning the pistons as well, to verify they all move smoothly. Also make sure there is no build-up of brake dust etc that may inhibit free movement of the pads themselves.

 

You sure you don't just have a pad lightly rusted to the rotor? While a little uncommon from just a washing, rust sticking certainly does happen.

 

Try starting the bike and see if it will move to break the wheel free, if it will move, that will at least give you a chance to pull the caliper and check better, just a suggestion. Hope that helps some Brother.

 

It's the emergency brake! You have to pull the lever to release it...


Just kiddin! Harley's don't have an emergency brake, do they?

I would get my tool box out, take both the master cylinder and rear caliper apart. (QUite often, just pulling my tool box out scares the problem away!) It may just be the rear caliper piston not moving back into the caliper, but I would have to satisfy myself that the entire system was free of debris. It most certainly provides you with good reason to R&R the brake fluid!

 

thanks for the help everyone, some great information there. appreciate it!

 

Well? Is it working normally or still stuck?