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FXDX front brake issue?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: LI NY
The master is higher than the calipers...air rises in the system. Its a pain to bleed them.
Try pulling the lever, putting a zip tie around the lever and the grip then leave it over night. This way the air can escape thru the master. Tap any fittings with a tool to dislodge any trapped air bubbles.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Deerfield Beach
These calipers have an issue with the spring clip. The smallest amount of dirt or brake dust causes the pads not to move freely which causes the pads to wear uneven. If you look at the pads you'll see that they are worn at an angle. The pad it not parallel to the disk. This causes the pad to jam on the pins. When the brake is applied the the side of the pad away from the pins moves more than the side at the pins. This put tension on the pad and when the brake lever is released the pads push back against the pistons leaving too much gap between the pad and rotor. The next time you apply the brake the pads have to make up the distance before they touch the rotor. That why you get the mushy lever. The fix is. New pads, thoroughly clean the caliper, clip and pistons, lube with high temp brake lube. unfortunately its not a permanent fix. it will happen again. So its a good idea to clean the calipers at each service.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
I had the same problem on my 04 FXDXI. Bled and re-bled them. Installed stainless braided lines, still the lever would almost touch the grip on the initial pull. My hunch was there was air trapped in the caliper(s). I pulled the calipers and positioned the bleeder perfectly vertical and first bled the fluid through with a Mighty Vac, then did two pumps the conventional way with the brake lever to rid any remaining bubbles that work their way around the bleeder threads when using the Mighty Vac. After that the brakes were finally rock hard for the first time and have remainder so.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: florida
Pulled the calipers off and cleaned them. Pads look almost new. The pins that hold the pads were cruddy so I buzzed them up and coated them with a little dielectric grease. Still the same. Has to be air. I'm going to try what the one comment was about holding the calipers vertical next. I'll have to slip something in between the pads to keep the pistons from extruding. Took my sporty out last night and it was like power brakes compared to the FX ugh this is getting frustrating!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
Yes, I pushed the pads all the way back in the calipers to force out any bubble that could be hiding in the pistons then held the bleeder vertical. After I finished bleeding them and the brakes were truly hard for the first time I pulled in the lever and tied it that way overnight. It was a trick I'd tried before which didn't help. This time maybe it was one thing I did different or the combination of everything but two years later now they're still rock hard.
I can say I'd been frustrated with them for 8 years, actually from the time I bought it new. I took it back to the dealer within a month and told them something was wrong when I could pull the lever with moderate effort and touch the grip. The service manager said "that's pretty common with these brakes I'll have them bleed it for you but that's all we can do". Whatever they did didn't help much if at all.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 981
Likes: 353
From: Wisconsin
You likely still have air in the lines.
The master is higher than the calipers...air rises in the system. Its a pain to bleed them.
Try pulling the lever, putting a zip tie around the lever and the grip then leave it over night. This way the air can escape thru the master. Tap any fittings with a tool to dislodge any trapped air bubbles.
The master is higher than the calipers...air rises in the system. Its a pain to bleed them.
Try pulling the lever, putting a zip tie around the lever and the grip then leave it over night. This way the air can escape thru the master. Tap any fittings with a tool to dislodge any trapped air bubbles.
I've also hear any of the reverse bleeding methods will work, never tried any of them though.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 3
From: UK
As above.... worked for me. DOT5 is viscous and hard to bleed. After leaving it overnight pump the lever hard and quickly to eject the air.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: florida
Put the zip tie on the brake lever and let it sit overnight. It's not perfect but whey better. Going to try it again tonight. Doesn't make a lot of sense why this works the fluid and air is under pressure unless it compresses the air bubbles and lets the smaller bubbles to travel up the lines easier??? Seemed to work though
