Letter from HD - Important Brake Maintenance Information
#1
06-27-2017, 12:51 PM
Letter from HD - Important Brake Maintenance Information
Received a letter a week ago from HD about changing DOT 4 brake fluid with ABS every two years and how "DOT 4 brake fluid absorbs water over time". Of course HD did not specifically mention that with an abs hcu failure you lose your front and/or rear brakes completely. It does state that not changing fluid every two years "may lead to a loss of brake function".
The first sentence of the letter is interesting:
"The memories last forever. The brake fluid, not so much".
Curious if others have received this letter? Was their another, non-abs, letter mailed out? Or, was the letter mailed only to those, like myself, that have reported to the NHTSA brake loss due to abs hcu failure?
Their are a couple of brake fluid change threads alive currently. I strongly encourage anyone with an abs equipped bike from 2008-2013 to change fluid every two years. And to either use a Digitech or hard braking to exercise front AND rear abs hcu solenoids.
.
The first sentence of the letter is interesting:
"The memories last forever. The brake fluid, not so much".
Curious if others have received this letter? Was their another, non-abs, letter mailed out? Or, was the letter mailed only to those, like myself, that have reported to the NHTSA brake loss due to abs hcu failure?
Their are a couple of brake fluid change threads alive currently. I strongly encourage anyone with an abs equipped bike from 2008-2013 to change fluid every two years. And to either use a Digitech or hard braking to exercise front AND rear abs hcu solenoids.
.
#2
06-27-2017, 12:59 PM
The following 2 users liked this post by ORradtech:
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#3
06-27-2017, 01:05 PM
Received a letter a week ago from HD about changing DOT 4 brake fluid with ABS every two years and how "DOT 4 brake fluid absorbs water over time". Of course HD did not specifically mention that with an abs hcu failure you lose your front and/or rear brakes completely. It does state that not changing fluid every two years "may lead to a loss of brake function".
The first sentence of the letter is interesting:
"The memories last forever. The brake fluid, not so much".
Curious if others have received this letter? Was their another, non-abs, letter mailed out? Or, was the letter mailed only to those, like myself, that have reported to the NHTSA brake loss due to abs hcu failure?
Their are a couple of brake fluid change threads alive currently. I strongly encourage anyone with an abs equipped bike from 2008-2013 to change fluid every two years. And to either use a Digitech or hard braking to exercise front AND rear abs hcu solenoids.
.
The first sentence of the letter is interesting:
"The memories last forever. The brake fluid, not so much".
Curious if others have received this letter? Was their another, non-abs, letter mailed out? Or, was the letter mailed only to those, like myself, that have reported to the NHTSA brake loss due to abs hcu failure?
Their are a couple of brake fluid change threads alive currently. I strongly encourage anyone with an abs equipped bike from 2008-2013 to change fluid every two years. And to either use a Digitech or hard braking to exercise front AND rear abs hcu solenoids.
.
#6
06-27-2017, 01:14 PM
What exactly do you mean? Are you disputing that with an abs hcu failure riders lose their front or rear brake completely?
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...-for-all-of-us
http://fortune.com/2016/07/08/harley...investigation/
They should and it is recommended. But, the abs hcu module is different on Rushmores and I believe is made by Bosch.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...-for-all-of-us
http://fortune.com/2016/07/08/harley...investigation/
They should and it is recommended. But, the abs hcu module is different on Rushmores and I believe is made by Bosch.
#7
06-27-2017, 01:17 PM
Yup....and it's okay.
I have to confess....I had been meaning to flush mine since the onset of spring, and kept putting it off, AND forgot altogether. I hate working with brake fluid because I'm a klutz, but I fully intended on doing it as it had been two years. That letter was my reminder and impetus for grabbing a beer last week and getting it done, so it served its purpose!
I have to confess....I had been meaning to flush mine since the onset of spring, and kept putting it off, AND forgot altogether. I hate working with brake fluid because I'm a klutz, but I fully intended on doing it as it had been two years. That letter was my reminder and impetus for grabbing a beer last week and getting it done, so it served its purpose!
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#8
06-27-2017, 01:19 PM
#9
06-27-2017, 01:25 PM
I know there have been instances where H-D ABS systems have failed and that the NHTSA is looking into it. Of course, Harley claims the failures are a result of owners ignoring the brake fluid maintenance schedule, but I suspect the ABS modules are failing because of inferior components and not because of moisture contamination of the brake fluid. Now, they're sending notices to owners in an attempt to cover their butts. It's been almost a year and to my knowdge the NHTSA hasn't released their findings. What's taking so long? Are there back-room shenanigans going on and deals being made? Probably so because Harley doesn't want to recall 430,000 bikes.
Last edited by GalvTexGuy; 06-27-2017 at 01:27 PM.
#10
06-27-2017, 01:32 PM
Never saw a letter thread. Apologies if a repeat. Was the letter sent only to those that reported to NHTSA? All abs equipped bikes? Certain years?
I reported the failure with locked up front brake to NHTSA almost two years ago. This is the first and only letter I received. I bought the bike used , not from a dealer but the letter has my VIN on it. NHTSA has my VIN so was thinking this letter is NHTSA related.
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