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Spongy front brakes

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Old 02-09-2019, 04:58 PM
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Default Spongy front brakes

So after replacing my forktubes, my front brakes are super spongy. The reservoir is full, my brake pads have life on them, but there’s only enough brakes to slow the bike to a stop. Has anyone has this issue or have an idea of what I need to do to correct this?
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 05:00 PM
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bleed them as you have added air somehow.
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 05:29 PM
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A quick fix that maybe worth trying before you bleed the brakes.......
Have some masking tape, electrical tape, zip tie or whatever ready grab the brake lever and pump it fairly rapidly a few times and hold it in, tape or zip tie the lever in this position without releasing it and leave well alone over night or for a decent length of time. Once you cut the tape or zip tie you will probably have your brakes back, well hopefully...
I've done this quick fix several times over the years, works for me, basically if you have some pressure in the system by harnessing that pressure will slowly expel any air up through the system to the highest level...ie the master cylinder.
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:15 PM
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Sweet tip kernow!

I'll keep that in mind when I change my front brake line in a couple weeks
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:27 PM
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I’ll give the zip tie a shot! I did my brakes about 2 months ago and haven’t opened the system since. Really don’t want to bleed the system, but if I have to that’ll be a project for Sunday. Thanks for the help.
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:48 PM
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Bleeding the system gets the air and water out.
If you avoid that you might end up with some rusted sticky parts.
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Kingglide549
Bleeding the system gets the air and water out.
If you avoid that you might end up with some rusted sticky parts.
I was talking to my old man about the zip tie trick and he thinks that if that’s working I might need to rebuild the caliper. I’ll be bleeding the system regardless
 
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Old 02-09-2019, 08:52 PM
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If there is no computer involved - POC
 
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Old 02-10-2019, 05:05 AM
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If your bike has ABS then get all the knowledge before starting.

For me a spongy brake usually signals that you are compressing air in the system.
 
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Old 02-10-2019, 09:09 AM
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If the quick trick doesn't work, try cleaning the pistons assuming you bled the brake properly and there are no leaks in the brake system.. Here is a video
 

Last edited by hscic; 02-10-2019 at 09:10 AM.

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