Front Brakes rubbing?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: San Antonio Texas
Front Brakes rubbing?
I have a 2003 Roadking. 36,000 miles on it. Yesterday I noticed while I was out riding, something that sounding like rubbing coming from the front wheel. Not a grinding sound, but rubbing, almost like the tire is rubbing the fender. I put the bike up on the bike lift today and rotated the wheel, not the fender, but a closer look at the brakes looks like the pads are constantly against the disk. Almost like they are trying to lock up. Checked the fluid and it is full. How do I know when the pads need to be replaced? Anyone else ever dealt with this noise? Any suggestions?? Thank you in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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With disk brakes, the pads are always constantly on the rotor.
Brake noise on 2000 and up bikes is common. The OEM pads are hard and make a lot of noise. You can swap to Kevlar pads and the noise will all but disappear.
Brake noise on 2000 and up bikes is common. The OEM pads are hard and make a lot of noise. You can swap to Kevlar pads and the noise will all but disappear.
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Elite HDF Member
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From: San Antonio Texas
this isn't just a little noise, it is a **** load of noise and the front wheel does not spin freely. I know the front brake is locking up a little. What can cause this? I am trying to get some pictures right now to help visualize the front brake.
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Elite HDF Member
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From: San Antonio Texas
here is a picture of the brake and as you can see, looks like the pad is extended or something. I am about to pull the whole brake apart and see if I can find it, it is driving me batty as hell right now.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: USA
Here is a link to a tech article on the Lyndall Racing Brakes Site that explains what you may be experencing and why. The article details that Harley brakes do not have dust boots and, therefor, allow brake dust, dirt and grime to build up and accumulate at the piston/ caliper interface. I have times where my brakes do what you have described. Its probably fair to say that all Harley riders with this "universal" caliper design experence it once in a while. THe article details how to clean your calipers and also the explains the "no dust boot" deal....
http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: San Antonio Texas
thank you for the help. I am going to get started on that tomorrow after I go pick up some new pads. I just tried bleeding the brakes and still nothing. I hope this fixes the problem.
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Davie, FL
brake noise
Go to my site under DIY for brake pad help HERE for your bike.
Now let us take it one step further:
Now let us take it one step further:
- I have found many bikes come in with the pads rubbing too much. If you do not get a full turn or two when your front wheel is off the ground with moderate spin, you have a problem that may not be limited to just pads. If you clean the brakes out like specified than still have friction, try this.
- If your whel does not spin, take off both calipers, spin again. Does it spin freely? If so try this:
- loosen the axle & take off the axle nut. loosen the 2 fork clamp nuts finger tight and remove right (USA curb side) spacer. Replace calipers with pads in.
- Spin the wheel, does it spin free? If yes >>>
- Replace the right (USA curb side) spacer but do not tighten axle nut, just hand tight. Listen to the rub, is it still there?>>>
- (for 2006 Dynas/Sportsters) Now try and loosen the fork clamp nut (for 2006 ~ Current (Dynas/Sportsters) and make sure that your fork clamps are even/horizontal by loosing up the triple tree clamp bolts (2 top and bottom), make them even
- All bikes: replace the right side outer axle wheel spacer, start tightening the axle, but leave the 2 axle fork clamp nuts hand tight so the axle moves freely. Do not draw the right (USA curb side) fork in as FORKS MUST HANG NATURALLY to work properly without introducing undue stiction.
- Does this fix your problem and does your wheel spin 1 ~ 2 turns? If it did notice the space in between the right fork tube and right outer wheel spacer. You must cut a new spacer exactly the new size (original spacer + gap now created), replace with the new spacer, tighten it up and spin. Is it fixed? You can use a set of good feeler gauges to determine the space and tighten up the axle with the feeler gauge as a shim between the old axle wheel spacer and the right side axle clamp. Hope I helped you, good luck.
Last edited by FastHarley; Jan 1, 2009 at 08:09 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: San Antonio Texas
WThat sounds exactly like it. Whats sounds exactly like what I am dealing with. With the bike in the air, one push of the wheel and it wont go around one full turn. I am going to take the calipers off now and see if that changes things. You would think that would be common sense huh. maybe I am not as smart as the wife thinks I am.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: San Antonio Texas
Good news is that with the calipers off ( that was a fight from hell with the fender) the wheel spins very freely. Now I will clean the clipers and hop this fixes the problem. if not, I will continue on with FASTHARLEY's suggestion.