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From the "WTF Files"..........
Bike.......81shovelhead.
I've removed both calipers.
Removed, cleaned and reinstalled all 8 pistons.
Rear seems to be fine.
The problem is.......when I tighten the 2 bolts for the front caliper, the wheel will NOT spin?!?!
If I back off the bolts a bit, wheel spins freely and brake works as it should.
I haven't changed anything in the setup.
Everything is as it was prior to cleaning the brakes.
There are already 2 thin spacers on each bolt.
Maybe I should just add more.
But I don't like the idea of the bolts not fully seated like they were before.
Any ideas as to what's happening here?
Tx!
the caliper needs shimming so it is central to the disc so when the bolts are tightened the caliper body doesn't hit the disc causing it to jam,
PM calipers come with many shim washers so this is doable.
either that or one or more piston is seizing up forcing the caliper to twist when the brake is used.
check each piston is coming in and out properly and silky smothly before fitting, then shim the caliper so it is central,
I have had some PM calipers that were central without any shim washers, and I have had some that needed 6 or 7 shim washers to get the caliper central
Ya know.......after posting I thought about the spacers possibly being in the wrong position.
But how could that be?
The only place they can go is between the bolt and the bracket.
As for that scoring on the rotor, I'm not sure what that was but there's no rubbing now.
^^^Beat me to it.
First thing I'd investigate is what are those 2 rub marks on the disk from?
1 looks in-line with the bottom bolt.
The scoring does seem to be from the caliper bolts but there is no rubbing and wheel spins nicely when elevated.
I haven actually looked at the bolts to see if there is any wear.
Too late now anyway.
the caliper needs shimming so it is central to the disc so when the bolts are tightened the caliper body doesn't hit the disc causing it to jam,
PM calipers come with many shim washers so this is doable.
either that or one or more piston is seizing up forcing the caliper to twist when the brake is used.
check each piston is coming in and out properly and silky smothly before fitting, then shim the caliper so it is central,
I have had some PM calipers that were central without any shim washers, and I have had some that needed 6 or 7 shim washers to get the caliper central
Before putting caliper back on I made sure all 4 pistons were fully depressed.
I put caliper back on without tightening bolts and wheel spins great.
Tighten bolts.......wheel locks up..
I never touched the brake lever.
Oh yeah.......if I don't tighten bolts, spin the wheel and pull brake lever, wheel immediately stops.
Then spins freely again after releasing lever..So I imagine that the pistons are retracting properly.
But when I tighten bolts......wheel freezes.
Just thought Id add that.
Oh yeah.......if I don't tighten bolts, spin the wheel and pull brake lever, wheel immediately stops.
Then spins freely again after releasing lever..So I imagine that the pistons are retracting properly.
But when I tighten bolts......wheel freezes.
Just thought Id add that.
Either Hardware interference or Caliper Not Centered...All it can be..
Now ya see why the Indy shops get the Big Bucks!!
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What's with this caliper?????
