Front brake making noise
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Clean your front caliper pistons with brake cleaner spray. To do this, you will need to remove the caliper, remove the pads, replace pads with a 3/8" thick piece of wood, gently pull the front brake lever to extend the pistons until they rest on the wood. Now is when you spray them down real good and clean the road grime off of them. Once cleaned, push the pistons back into a recessed position. Then before reinstalling the pads, ensure you have some grease between the piston and the back of the pads. Torque the calipers back on the legs to spec. This should help if not eliminate your issues. (Note: Do not touch the brake unless the wood or the pads is in both calipers. If you blow out a piston by mistake, it can really screw-up your day.)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
Still cant find a tool to remove the shoe pins. Looks like a 12 point head no more than 1\4 inch. Harley dealer says its most likely a proprietary tool meaning that only Harley mechanics are privy to it. The tech was off this weekend so he couldn't verify it but it wouldn't surprise me that its that way so you have to take it back to the dealer.
randy
randy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Still cant find a tool to remove the shoe pins. Looks like a 12 point head no more than 1\4 inch. Harley dealer says its most likely a proprietary tool meaning that only Harley mechanics are privy to it. The tech was off this weekend so he couldn't verify it but it wouldn't surprise me that its that way so you have to take it back to the dealer.
randy
randy
replacing brake pads is a simple job that you should be able to do in 1/2hr or less. especially if you have the newer 2 piece caliper on the rear wheel.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
There is no room to put a boxed end wrench or anything for that matter on these. A thin walled 12 point socket is the only thing that will work and no one knows what I'm talking about at the tool stores. The best I can figure out is they are about 7 mm.
randy
randy
Last edited by cajun1957a; Jun 13, 2016 at 07:51 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
that caliper looks like the one on my 07, ie. pre-brembo. it's been a long time since I did the brakes on my 07, so I've completely forgotten what I used to do the job with. I don't even have my 07 manual anymore either.
good luck, hope you get it figured out sooner rather than later. and please, come back and let us know what you did.
good luck, hope you get it figured out sooner rather than later. and please, come back and let us know what you did.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
From: North
I just picked up a 12pt 1/4 thin walled socket for my caliper rebuild from Sears...
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-4-i...5&blockType=G5
Perfect Fit..
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-4-i...5&blockType=G5
Perfect Fit..
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
Well, I found the tool and went to cleaning up the calipers. As everyone here said, its pretty easy. Pulled the shoes off, they were wearing uneavenly. Slowly extended the pistons. One moved out more than half way before the other did in each caliper. There was virtually no dirt or grime on them, but I did spray brake cleaner all around them and wiped it off. I installed brand new shoes and reassembled and greased the backs. Thewhole process took 30 minutes. Very easy. Went down the road and the noise that I heard is all but gone until pulling the lever and that's all cool. I got home lifted the bike up on a lift and checked to see how the wheel turned. Its rather tight and the rotor was hot. I am really really hopeing these new shoes just need to seat in. So we will see after a few miles. Was easy to do though. Thanks a bunch
randy
randy
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Prarieville
SAme issue here.
Im having the same issue here on my 07 roadking flhr . makes a hissing noise unless the brakes are slightly engaged let me know if this continually worked for you with no further issue.
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