Need new brakes?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 36
From: Woodland Hills, CA
Need new brakes?
Starting to hear some noise from front brakes. Any preferences on brake pads? Should I do front and rear at the same time? Bike has 11k on it. Original brakes all around.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,113
Likes: 11,160
From: San Diego, CA
Noisy brake pads aren't always an indication that they need to be replaced, but is certainly an indication that they should be looked at...
The rotors will have a minimum thickness engraved on them and the service manual will have a minimum pad thickness...
FWIW.... I go by those guidelines unless:
If the rotors are warped, have obvious wear issues, or damage, I will replace them when the issue is found.
If pads are worn unevenly on same pad, inside compared to outside, and/or if the pads are close to the minimums.
When I replace a rotor, I also replace the pads. When I replace the pads, I clean the caliper pistons in place. If there are signs of caliper piston leakage or severe grime, then I will disassemble the caliper and rebuild it...
If noisy pads are too annoying, you can always try a different compound... it's not a hard or very expensive job... I have changed pads in the past, before needed, just to try a new make/manufacture of pads...
PS- Sometimes, squeaking is caused by the back of the brake pad in contact with the caliper piston, especially on newer pads. I always use a lube between the piston and the back of the pad... replacement OEM Harley pads come with the lube supplied.. I use MolyKote 44 medium.. be careful not to get lubricant on the friction surface by applying too much, or too thick...
The rotors will have a minimum thickness engraved on them and the service manual will have a minimum pad thickness...
FWIW.... I go by those guidelines unless:
If the rotors are warped, have obvious wear issues, or damage, I will replace them when the issue is found.
If pads are worn unevenly on same pad, inside compared to outside, and/or if the pads are close to the minimums.
When I replace a rotor, I also replace the pads. When I replace the pads, I clean the caliper pistons in place. If there are signs of caliper piston leakage or severe grime, then I will disassemble the caliper and rebuild it...
If noisy pads are too annoying, you can always try a different compound... it's not a hard or very expensive job... I have changed pads in the past, before needed, just to try a new make/manufacture of pads...
PS- Sometimes, squeaking is caused by the back of the brake pad in contact with the caliper piston, especially on newer pads. I always use a lube between the piston and the back of the pad... replacement OEM Harley pads come with the lube supplied.. I use MolyKote 44 medium.. be careful not to get lubricant on the friction surface by applying too much, or too thick...
Last edited by hattitude; Oct 2, 2017 at 02:29 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,113
Likes: 11,160
From: San Diego, CA
I agree, get new ones all around.....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
