Rear Brake problem ...ugh
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 542
Likes: 5
From: New York
Rear Brake problem ...ugh
Went out for a 150 mile ride with some friends yesterday and at the END of the ride my rear brakes went to mush. When you hit the pedal it stops a little but then the pedal goes down to the floor ( kinda like that feeling when bleeding your brakes ) and they don't work unless you pump them up but then they go back all the way to the floor again with no stopping power.
My brother looked at my rear pads and said I just need to change them. He said that these motors run real hot and they wear out the pads faster with all that heat. I have only 5 k miles on the bike and I thought that was odd for them to go bad like that all of the sudden. You would think they would gradually go bad if it was the pads. My Sportster had 10k on it and I never had to change the pads. My Fatboy has ABS if that helps any of you guys with a diagnosis. Front brakes still work perfect.
Any thoughts would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
My brother looked at my rear pads and said I just need to change them. He said that these motors run real hot and they wear out the pads faster with all that heat. I have only 5 k miles on the bike and I thought that was odd for them to go bad like that all of the sudden. You would think they would gradually go bad if it was the pads. My Sportster had 10k on it and I never had to change the pads. My Fatboy has ABS if that helps any of you guys with a diagnosis. Front brakes still work perfect.
Any thoughts would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
Last edited by Totally Bored; Aug 27, 2012 at 08:43 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
it may be the rear master cylinder , brake fluid level ok? engine heat may affect the master cylinder but wont do anything to the brake pads.
Last edited by SIDECAR BOB; Aug 27, 2012 at 08:44 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 542
Likes: 5
From: New York
My brother said it looked like there was brake fluid in there but I honestly can't read the darn thing to check that. The indicator is kinda WIERD to me. Was gonna pull out the service manual and inspect it all later this week when I get a chance. I was also planning on inspecting all that for my 5k service soon.
How would I know the master cylinder is bad ?
I quess process of elimination - if the pads are good and there's brake fluid in there and it's still doing it ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
There's gotta be a leak somewhere or air in the brake line, worn brake pads won't make a "mushy" pedal. I can't imagine the pads are worn out after 5k.
Try bleeding and adding fluid if necessary, see if the pedal stays up. If not look for leaks in the brake line, connections or master cylinder.
Try bleeding and adding fluid if necessary, see if the pedal stays up. If not look for leaks in the brake line, connections or master cylinder.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Brake's can last anywhere from 5k to 20 on the rear usually.
Lots of twisty's and hills then of course they'll wear faster than here in our flatlands of IND.
My first two sets went 15k easy with prob another 3-5k If I wanted to push them..
Why not give Ur dealer a call since Ur still under warranty.. not for the pads but the braking system still is.. like bad master cyl. or lines...
With only 5k on Ur bike the pads still should be OK under normal riding.
mushy pedal is not just worn pads... something else is wrong.
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Lots of twisty's and hills then of course they'll wear faster than here in our flatlands of IND.
My first two sets went 15k easy with prob another 3-5k If I wanted to push them..
Why not give Ur dealer a call since Ur still under warranty.. not for the pads but the braking system still is.. like bad master cyl. or lines...
With only 5k on Ur bike the pads still should be OK under normal riding.
mushy pedal is not just worn pads... something else is wrong.
.
.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 542
Likes: 5
From: New York
So I took use guys advice and called the dealer...Thanks
Turns out the Master Cylinder had to rebuilt. All done free under warranty. Bought a nice rain jacket while I was there. Its dangerous going to the dealer ..lol
They said the pads where fine btw.
Turns out the Master Cylinder had to rebuilt. All done free under warranty. Bought a nice rain jacket while I was there. Its dangerous going to the dealer ..lol
They said the pads where fine btw.
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Club Member
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