2012 H.D. FLHTCU ABS Issue
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
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2012 H.D. FLHTCU ABS Issue
Removed front wheel on my 2012 H.D. Electra Glide Ultra Classic to have wheel/tire re-balanced. Re-installed front wheel, following instructions from a H.D. factory maintenance/service manual. Axle nut and axle cap nuts torqued to factory specifications. Road tested bike and the amber abs indicator remains on after applying the front brake. I am positive that I installed the wheel the the correct direction of rotation. Raised bike off the ground until front wheel did not make contact with the floor and notice that there is a significant amount of resistance when attempting to rotate the wheel/tire by hand. Feels like the brake pads are creating a lot of drag against the rotors. Did I miss or overlook a step when re-installing the Brembo brake calipers back over the rotors? I did not loosen the brake pad pins before removing the brake calipers from the front forks. Should I disconnect the negative ground cable from the battery and then reconnect the ground cable in an attempt to reset the abs control module? Suggestions, please. Thanks.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Olean, NY
When I took my wheel off last, I installed it following the instructions in the service manual and noticed the same thing you are, just no ABS light. I had the brake drag like you do, wheel didnt spin as free as it should have either. I left the axle nut torqued and just loosened the right fork retaining bolt (left side looking at the bike from the front, mine is an integral holder since I have a 16 RGS, yours has the separate cap and nuts) which allowed the fork leg to release a little bit. Seems it was being sucked in too far when tightening the axle and causing a misalignment leading to the binding.
You might want to try and loosening up those retaining nuts on the axle holder so see if that fork is being pulled in too far. If it releases some of the pressure, it may free things up. Not sure if this is whats causing the ABS issue but that sensor may be, well, sensing an issue if theres undo pressure being placed on the bearing by the spacers.
Those spacers are also specific in that they need to be put back on the correct side and some even have marks or lines that need to be put back in the same orientation (has marks to the outside, or notch to the inside, etc). Did you make sure to check for that?? When I take my wheels off for the first time, I usually draw an arrow pointing to the direction that the spacer needs to face just so I dont overlook that.
You might want to try and loosening up those retaining nuts on the axle holder so see if that fork is being pulled in too far. If it releases some of the pressure, it may free things up. Not sure if this is whats causing the ABS issue but that sensor may be, well, sensing an issue if theres undo pressure being placed on the bearing by the spacers.
Those spacers are also specific in that they need to be put back on the correct side and some even have marks or lines that need to be put back in the same orientation (has marks to the outside, or notch to the inside, etc). Did you make sure to check for that?? When I take my wheels off for the first time, I usually draw an arrow pointing to the direction that the spacer needs to face just so I dont overlook that.
Last edited by Cygnusx51; Feb 17, 2018 at 04:33 PM.
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6th Gear
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I did notice the machined grooves on the axle spacer, though i did not make note if the grooved end of the spacer was toward the fork or the wheel. I will loosen the 2 nuts securing the axle cap and see if by doing that the wheel turns with less resistance. In the past, when first starting the bike the amber abs indicator would flash until after the first time that i would apply the front brakes. Once the front brake was applied the amber light would go out. Now, after applying the front brake the amber light goes from a flashing sequence to a solid amber. Appreciate your input, Cygnusx51!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Olean, NY
You should also be able to look to see what error codes are being logged since the ABS light isnt going out. It may help you pinpoint whats happening as well. Not sure how to do this on your model bike but it shouldnt be hard to find, especially if you have the owners manual or the service book.
Last edited by Cygnusx51; Feb 17, 2018 at 04:34 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 90
From: australia
You seen to have two things happening after front wheel has been removed..
1. Excessive brake pad resistance....
2 . ABS light on solid ..
First off,, You didn't get new wheel bearings installed when getting wheel balanced ?? If so, ABS bearing may have been install backwards ......As mentioned above,, check for codes. Around your year bike , the front speed sensor cable , (under the fairing, close to the neck grease nipple), has been know to break ...I know you weren't messing in this area, But Murphy's Law can do strange things .....
Re excessive brake resistance,, I would start again... Remove calipers, (wiggle caliper back and forth on rotor so pads/piston will compress enough to remove caliper easier).... Undo axle nut and two axle cap nuts ...... Spacer on non abs side has rings towards the fork, (not the wheel bearing)..... Make sure wheel speed sensor is positioned properly when torqueing axle. It is pushed up anti clockwise so small rubber tab makes contact with fork, (its in the manual)..... Now push on left fork, (to remove small gap between spacer and fork), and torque down axle cap nuts, (this is important , see manual).... Spread the brake pads a little more and install calipers as per manual ......
Before you install caliper,, it would be a good time to clean caliper and around pistons... When complete get a rag with brake cleaner and wipe the rotors ......
Good luck .....
1. Excessive brake pad resistance....
2 . ABS light on solid ..
First off,, You didn't get new wheel bearings installed when getting wheel balanced ?? If so, ABS bearing may have been install backwards ......As mentioned above,, check for codes. Around your year bike , the front speed sensor cable , (under the fairing, close to the neck grease nipple), has been know to break ...I know you weren't messing in this area, But Murphy's Law can do strange things .....
Re excessive brake resistance,, I would start again... Remove calipers, (wiggle caliper back and forth on rotor so pads/piston will compress enough to remove caliper easier).... Undo axle nut and two axle cap nuts ...... Spacer on non abs side has rings towards the fork, (not the wheel bearing)..... Make sure wheel speed sensor is positioned properly when torqueing axle. It is pushed up anti clockwise so small rubber tab makes contact with fork, (its in the manual)..... Now push on left fork, (to remove small gap between spacer and fork), and torque down axle cap nuts, (this is important , see manual).... Spread the brake pads a little more and install calipers as per manual ......
Before you install caliper,, it would be a good time to clean caliper and around pistons... When complete get a rag with brake cleaner and wipe the rotors ......
Good luck .....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Good roads, cold beer
Removed front wheel on my 2012 H.D. Electra Glide Ultra Classic to have wheel/tire re-balanced. Re-installed front wheel, following instructions from a H.D. factory maintenance/service manual. Axle nut and axle cap nuts torqued to factory specifications. Road tested bike and the amber abs indicator remains on after applying the front brake. I am positive that I installed the wheel the the correct direction of rotation. Raised bike off the ground until front wheel did not make contact with the floor and notice that there is a significant amount of resistance when attempting to rotate the wheel/tire by hand. Feels like the brake pads are creating a lot of drag against the rotors. Did I miss or overlook a step when re-installing the Brembo brake calipers back over the rotors? I did not loosen the brake pad pins before removing the brake calipers from the front forks. Should I disconnect the negative ground cable from the battery and then reconnect the ground cable in an attempt to reset the abs control module? Suggestions, please. Thanks.
left side front fork
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 610
From: USA
It does sound like the wheel is on backwards. If the tire was never removed from the rim, then you can check for the rotation arrow on the tire. As mentioned already, were the bearings replaced. The abs bearing is directional, if the correct side is not facing out the abs will not work. If the wheel is backwards it will also cause the brakes to bind. I found that out from personal experience.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: anacoco, la
In the past, when first starting the bike the amber abs indicator would flash until after the first time that i would apply the front brakes. Once the front brake was applied the amber light would go out. Now, after applying the front brake the amber light goes from a flashing sequence to a solid amber. Appreciate your input, Cygnusx51!
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
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Thanks to all who posted replies. I will double check the wheel/tire to make sure that I did not install the wheel/tire backwards. I did not replace wheel bearings and the tire was never removed from the wheel. If i confirm that the wheel/tire was installed with the rotation arrow in the proper direction then i will remove brake calipers once again and loosen axle cap and axle nut and then reassemble the parts to the forks as well as the brake calipers. Again, thanks to all who posted replies!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: FL
Spiguy, please don't take this the wrong way but if you reinstalled the wheel in the wrong direction you need to have your work supervised or your could end up getting yourself or others seriously injured or killed. Removing and reinstalled a motorcycle wheel is one of the easier tasks. Just don't want to see you getting hurt. Nothing wrong with working on your own scoot but sometimes two sets of eyes are better.