Zero brake pressure
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Joined: May 2012
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From: austin
Zero brake pressure
I went to change the brake pads on the front of my 08 FXD today. Simple job right? Not so much ...
The longer bolt that secures the caliper to the fork leg also seems to do double duty holding the caliper halves together? While the caliper was off the fork a few drops of brake fluid appeared ... I'm guessing the caliper "split".
I've reinstalled the caliper and tried to bleed (oh have I tried.. and tried) but no pressure is to be had. None. Zip nada. Just to reiterate I'm not talking spongy I'm talking lever on the bars no resistance.
I used to be a mechanic. I've changed 1000s of brake pads so I'm not a fool (my story ; -) but I'm out of ideas this side of a new caliper which is unappealing for obvious reasons...
If anyone has any good ideas I'd appreciate them. TIA
The longer bolt that secures the caliper to the fork leg also seems to do double duty holding the caliper halves together? While the caliper was off the fork a few drops of brake fluid appeared ... I'm guessing the caliper "split".
I've reinstalled the caliper and tried to bleed (oh have I tried.. and tried) but no pressure is to be had. None. Zip nada. Just to reiterate I'm not talking spongy I'm talking lever on the bars no resistance.
I used to be a mechanic. I've changed 1000s of brake pads so I'm not a fool (my story ; -) but I'm out of ideas this side of a new caliper which is unappealing for obvious reasons...
If anyone has any good ideas I'd appreciate them. TIA
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Joined: May 2012
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From: austin
Thanks for the reply but not really any help was it?
I have the service manual. I know what I'm doing with a wrench in my hands I'm looking for some advice from those who might have been there done that .
I have the service manual. I know what I'm doing with a wrench in my hands I'm looking for some advice from those who might have been there done that .
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 97
From: Northern VA
I went to change the brake pads on the front of my 08 FXD today. Simple job right? Not so much ...
The longer bolt that secures the caliper to the fork leg also seems to do double duty holding the caliper halves together? While the caliper was off the fork a few drops of brake fluid appeared ... I'm guessing the caliper "split".
I've reinstalled the caliper and tried to bleed (oh have I tried.. and tried) but no pressure is to be had. None. Zip nada. Just to reiterate I'm not talking spongy I'm talking lever on the bars no resistance.
I used to be a mechanic. I've changed 1000s of brake pads so I'm not a fool (my story ; -) but I'm out of ideas this side of a new caliper which is unappealing for obvious reasons...
If anyone has any good ideas I'd appreciate them. TIA
The longer bolt that secures the caliper to the fork leg also seems to do double duty holding the caliper halves together? While the caliper was off the fork a few drops of brake fluid appeared ... I'm guessing the caliper "split".
I've reinstalled the caliper and tried to bleed (oh have I tried.. and tried) but no pressure is to be had. None. Zip nada. Just to reiterate I'm not talking spongy I'm talking lever on the bars no resistance.
I used to be a mechanic. I've changed 1000s of brake pads so I'm not a fool (my story ; -) but I'm out of ideas this side of a new caliper which is unappealing for obvious reasons...
If anyone has any good ideas I'd appreciate them. TIA
If not re-bleeding, just changing pads, you should see zero fluid. It's a sealed system, for the most part.
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From: austin
I believe 2008+, the bolts that hold the caliper halves together accept the same socket as the ones that hold the caliper to the fork legs, and as the brake pad retaining pin. Notice I said 'pin' not 'pins.' There's only 1 bolt that the pads slide on. Pre-2008 there were 2. I accidentally took the wrong one out my first time and fluid came out and had to re-bleed the system.
If not re-bleeding, just changing pads, you should see zero fluid. It's a sealed system, for the most part.
If not re-bleeding, just changing pads, you should see zero fluid. It's a sealed system, for the most part.
There is the long mounting bolt (#13 above) , the short mounting bolt (#14), the retaining pin (#12) , and the other bolt (#11) that holds the two halves together.
You have to remove bolt 13 to remover the caliper. After going through the fork leg bolt 13 goes into the other half of the caliper and bolts the two caliper halves together.
So really any time you have the caliper off the bike their is a risk that the caliper halves separate as you remove the pads and fluid leaks. As happened to me.
Maybe no-one else changes their own pads? If you had done this job this would be pretty obvious.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
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From: South FL
I don't have experience with this specific caliper but perhaps the crossover seal (#2 in diagram) was damaged somehow during the brake job. Is there any fluid leaking now that its all back together? It looks like that seals carries fluid from one side to the other. At this point you may try to separate the two halves and inspect that seal. Replace it to rule it out as the possible cause.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Northern VA
I guess I see your point. If #11 is torqued properly then releasing #13 should not separate the halves. That's assuming the calipers don't have any burrs etc on their halves. I've had both my front (dual caliper) off and on several times and never had an issue with leaking from removal for pad changes. Perhaps your caliper is not machined flat and when the #13 bolt is removed it's allowed to separate on that side. I have a spare used front caliper if you find it needs replacing.
Last edited by mattVA; Jul 5, 2013 at 09:21 AM.
