Total complete brake failure! Read!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 951
From: Redneck Riviera
An ABS failure should only mean an ABS failure, not a total brake failure.
This **** poor design needs to be made heartier, even if the maintenance is neglected.
Glad I don't have ABS. I don't want or need it.
This **** poor design needs to be made heartier, even if the maintenance is neglected.
Glad I don't have ABS. I don't want or need it.
Last edited by fxdup; Oct 23, 2019 at 12:11 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
Maybe the design flaw has been corrected. I've looked here and on the web for cases of complete brake failure and apart from this month's report of an '18 Heritage there just isn't much out there that I can see. Maybe the 'Dot 4 Platinum' contains a corrosion inhibitor and its been provided in our ABS bikes since 2012? The '08-'11 recall included a brake flush that changed the fluid to the Dot 4 Platinum. I haven't found evidence of a part upgrade for the ABS module itself, but maybe that's been done too. I'm not expecting a press release from the Motor Company since having a fix implies they had a problem. One thing I did see on the web were some class action lawsuit firms looking for clients. It appears there are active cases in four states.
Still looking for better details on the recent failure; what was found & what was fixed.
Still looking for better details on the recent failure; what was found & what was fixed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I found it odd that the OP stated that the dealer was going to charge him $150 to fix the problem. It was not mentioned that the dealer was giving any discount on the repair.
I'm not sure what they could do for such a low price. At the dealers around here that'd get you an hours labor and a VERY inexpensive part.
I'm not sure what they could do for such a low price. At the dealers around here that'd get you an hours labor and a VERY inexpensive part.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,837
Likes: 8,745
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Maybe the design flaw has been corrected. I've looked here and on the web for cases of complete brake failure and apart from this month's report of an '18 Heritage there just isn't much out there that I can see. Maybe the 'Dot 4 Platinum' contains a corrosion inhibitor and its been provided in our ABS bikes since 2012? The '08-'11 recall included a brake flush that changed the fluid to the Dot 4 Platinum. I haven't found evidence of a part upgrade for the ABS module itself, but maybe that's been done too. I'm not expecting a press release from the Motor Company since having a fix implies they had a problem. One thing I did see on the web were some class action lawsuit firms looking for clients. It appears there are active cases in four states.
Still looking for better details on the recent failure; what was found & what was fixed.
Still looking for better details on the recent failure; what was found & what was fixed.
Even though the part # for the ABS module didn't change, I suspect the module itself did. Harley probably realized there was a serious potential problem with the earlier module and didn't change the part number as a CYA move.
Last edited by Dynamick; Oct 23, 2019 at 02:00 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,620
Likes: 27,704
From: SoCal
The Platinum brake fluid was introduced around the same time the 08-11 recall was issued so no way it could have been OEM equipment back in 2012.
Even though the part # for the ABS module didn't change, I suspect the module itself did. Harley probably realized there was a serious potential problem with the earlier module and didn't change the part number as a CYA move.
Even though the part # for the ABS module didn't change, I suspect the module itself did. Harley probably realized there was a serious potential problem with the earlier module and didn't change the part number as a CYA move.
Interesting that, if a 2008-2012 customer changes his own fluid down the road using a DOT4 different than the Platinum, he may apparently still have a problem?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 93
From: Andrews, NC
The Platinum brake fluid was introduced around the same time the 08-11 recall was issued so no way it could have been OEM equipment back in 2012.
Even though the part # for the ABS module didn't change, I suspect the module itself did. Harley probably realized there was a serious potential problem with the earlier module and didn't change the part number as a CYA move.
Even though the part # for the ABS module didn't change, I suspect the module itself did. Harley probably realized there was a serious potential problem with the earlier module and didn't change the part number as a CYA move.
How about SOA; as in "Save Our Asses"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,077
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Why do you keep bringing this up? The difference is a slight chemical difference in the make up rendering a higher boiling point in the DOT 4. What makes you think DOT 3 would have reacted any differently then DOT 4 in the OP's bike.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Going through so many bikes does raise a question. But you see more people than I understand doing it. It boggles my mind at the money pissed away by people trading in bikes so fast.
Some I don't think really like bikes, and think if they get the other model, they will be comfortable and enjoy the ride. Granted many of them complain abuout a sore back and just go back and forth between softails and dynas.
Ya I find it weird. But if he really wanted to hate Harleys, why spend so much money? Unless you think he didn't. I havn't followed his progression here to know.
But I would think it would be semi easy to google people who have had failures like this or members, if it is how Harley brakes fail. It just blows my mind that harley might put out a bike with brakes that if you don't flush the fluid willl just fail out of nowhere. I can see a decrease in braking, but to just fail, sees dangerous and illogical to produce. But I dunno.
I don't buy the arguement that if you don't do your brake flushes exactly on time that you deserves this, as some seem to think. I don't know when it rolled out of the factory, but it wasn't 5 years old. IMO if they say 2 years, they should have a safety factor built in.
Some I don't think really like bikes, and think if they get the other model, they will be comfortable and enjoy the ride. Granted many of them complain abuout a sore back and just go back and forth between softails and dynas.
Ya I find it weird. But if he really wanted to hate Harleys, why spend so much money? Unless you think he didn't. I havn't followed his progression here to know.
But I would think it would be semi easy to google people who have had failures like this or members, if it is how Harley brakes fail. It just blows my mind that harley might put out a bike with brakes that if you don't flush the fluid willl just fail out of nowhere. I can see a decrease in braking, but to just fail, sees dangerous and illogical to produce. But I dunno.
I don't buy the arguement that if you don't do your brake flushes exactly on time that you deserves this, as some seem to think. I don't know when it rolled out of the factory, but it wasn't 5 years old. IMO if they say 2 years, they should have a safety factor built in.
