Brake Fluid Flush Update
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Cole Camp, Mo
Brake Fluid Flush Update
As you may have seen in another thread, I had the brake fluid flush on my 08 Ultra done per the Harley recall notification. When I got it back, I rode it 20 miles to Home and then another 5 to have the tires changed. When I picked it up from there, I had no front brake lever, it went to the bar. I was able to pump it up like it had air in it so I took it back to the Harley dealer that did the flush. They bled it again and it did the same thing.
Their diagnosis was the ABS Module. I couldnt afford the over $500 repair so I brought it home and started my research. Everything I found was that mine was acting the complete opposite of the normal ABS module malfunction after the flush. I eventually went back to the dealer and talked to the owner, Ive known them personally for years. He asked me to bring it back and let them keep it for awhile because he was confused as well.
The very next next day they called and said they had found the issue, warped brake rotor and bad wheel bearing. I thought, What? No way. But as he explained it, it made perfect sense. The pads are setting in their home position. Once the flush was done, it changed that position and every time the warped rotor hit the pad, it would push the pistons in and thus, I had to reset the pistons every time I pulled lever.
Again, I took it home and started my research. After watching videos, I ordered rotors, pads, bearings and the bearing tool from Pit Posse, which is much cheaper than the Harley tool, and waited.
Parts came and I commenced to tearing the bike apart, scared to death the whole time. The bearings were a piece of cake and the rotors and pads even easier.
Put it it back together, drove it out of the garage and immediately could tell the difference. Put 200 miles on it the next day and never one issue with the front brakes.
I was was very very skeptical when the said warped rotor and bad bearings but am now very confident in their diagnosis.
Their diagnosis was the ABS Module. I couldnt afford the over $500 repair so I brought it home and started my research. Everything I found was that mine was acting the complete opposite of the normal ABS module malfunction after the flush. I eventually went back to the dealer and talked to the owner, Ive known them personally for years. He asked me to bring it back and let them keep it for awhile because he was confused as well.
The very next next day they called and said they had found the issue, warped brake rotor and bad wheel bearing. I thought, What? No way. But as he explained it, it made perfect sense. The pads are setting in their home position. Once the flush was done, it changed that position and every time the warped rotor hit the pad, it would push the pistons in and thus, I had to reset the pistons every time I pulled lever.
Again, I took it home and started my research. After watching videos, I ordered rotors, pads, bearings and the bearing tool from Pit Posse, which is much cheaper than the Harley tool, and waited.
Parts came and I commenced to tearing the bike apart, scared to death the whole time. The bearings were a piece of cake and the rotors and pads even easier.
Put it it back together, drove it out of the garage and immediately could tell the difference. Put 200 miles on it the next day and never one issue with the front brakes.
I was was very very skeptical when the said warped rotor and bad bearings but am now very confident in their diagnosis.
Last edited by donnie1; May 26, 2018 at 07:16 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,524
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
As you may have seen in another thread, I had the brake fluid flush on my 08 Ultra done per the Harley recall notification. When I got it back, I rode it 20 miles to Home and then another 5 to have the tires changed. When I picked it up from there, I had no front brake lever, it went to the bar. I was able to pump it up like it had air in it so I took it back to the Harley dealer that did the flush. They bled it again and it did the same thing.
Their diagnosis was the ABS Module. I couldnt afford the over $500 repair so I brought it home and started my research. Everything I found was that mine was acting the complete opposite of the normal ABS module malfunction after the flush. I eventually went back to the dealer and talked to the owner, Ive known them personally for years. He asked me to bring it back and let them keep it for awhile because he was confused as well.
The very next next day they called and said they had found the issue, warped brake rotor and bad wheel bearing. I thought, What? No way. But as he explained it, it made perfect sense. The pads are setting in their home position. Once the flush was done, it changed that position and every time the warped rotor hit the pad, it would push the pistons in and thus, I had to reset the pistons every time I pulled lever.
Again, I took it home and started my research. After watching videos, I ordered rotors, pads, bearings and the bearing tool from Pit Posse, which is much cheaper than the Harley tool, and
Their diagnosis was the ABS Module. I couldnt afford the over $500 repair so I brought it home and started my research. Everything I found was that mine was acting the complete opposite of the normal ABS module malfunction after the flush. I eventually went back to the dealer and talked to the owner, Ive known them personally for years. He asked me to bring it back and let them keep it for awhile because he was confused as well.
The very next next day they called and said they had found the issue, warped brake rotor and bad wheel bearing. I thought, What? No way. But as he explained it, it made perfect sense. The pads are setting in their home position. Once the flush was done, it changed that position and every time the warped rotor hit the pad, it would push the pistons in and thus, I had to reset the pistons every time I pulled lever.
Again, I took it home and started my research. After watching videos, I ordered rotors, pads, bearings and the bearing tool from Pit Posse, which is much cheaper than the Harley tool, and
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
From: Cole Camp, Mo
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
From: Cole Camp, Mo
and what? Just leave us hanging like that? How am I going to make it through the day not knowing where this ends? Lol. I use the Pit Posse too also. Do lube the threads and consider getting a nice bearing to use with the tool
I used bearings from All ***** racing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: USA
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
As you may have seen in another thread, I had the brake fluid flush on my 08 Ultra done per the Harley recall notification. When I got it back, I rode it 20 miles to Home and then another 5 to have the tires changed. When I picked it up from there, I had no front brake lever, it went to the bar. I was able to pump it up like it had air in it so I took it back to the Harley dealer that did the flush. They bled it again and it did the same thing.
Their diagnosis was the ABS Module. I couldn’t afford the over $500 repair so I brought it home and started my research. Everything I found was that mine was acting the complete opposite of the normal ABS module malfunction after the flush. I eventually went back to the dealer and talked to the owner, I’ve known them personally for years. He asked me to bring it back and let them keep it for awhile because he was confused as well.
The very next next day they called and said they had found the issue, warped brake rotor and bad wheel bearing. I thought, What? No way. But as he explained it, it made perfect sense. The pads are setting in their “home” position. Once the flush was done, it changed that position and every time the warped rotor hit the pad, it would push the pistons in and thus, I had to reset the pistons every time I pulled lever.
Again, I took it home and started my research. After watching videos, I ordered rotors, pads, bearings and the bearing tool from Pit Posse, which is much cheaper than the Harley tool, and waited.
Parts came and I commenced to tearing the bike apart, scared to death the whole time. The bearings were a piece of cake and the rotors and pads even easier.
Put it it back together, drove it out of the garage and immediately could tell the difference. Put 200 miles on it the next day and never one issue with the front brakes.
I was was very very skeptical when the said warped rotor and bad bearings but am now very confident in their diagnosis.
Their diagnosis was the ABS Module. I couldn’t afford the over $500 repair so I brought it home and started my research. Everything I found was that mine was acting the complete opposite of the normal ABS module malfunction after the flush. I eventually went back to the dealer and talked to the owner, I’ve known them personally for years. He asked me to bring it back and let them keep it for awhile because he was confused as well.
The very next next day they called and said they had found the issue, warped brake rotor and bad wheel bearing. I thought, What? No way. But as he explained it, it made perfect sense. The pads are setting in their “home” position. Once the flush was done, it changed that position and every time the warped rotor hit the pad, it would push the pistons in and thus, I had to reset the pistons every time I pulled lever.
Again, I took it home and started my research. After watching videos, I ordered rotors, pads, bearings and the bearing tool from Pit Posse, which is much cheaper than the Harley tool, and waited.
Parts came and I commenced to tearing the bike apart, scared to death the whole time. The bearings were a piece of cake and the rotors and pads even easier.
Put it it back together, drove it out of the garage and immediately could tell the difference. Put 200 miles on it the next day and never one issue with the front brakes.
I was was very very skeptical when the said warped rotor and bad bearings but am now very confident in their diagnosis.
There's a reason why dealer service departments dislike informed customers who are willing to solve their own problems. What's ironic is in many cases, they have no one to blame but themselves.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; May 26, 2018 at 08:48 AM.
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From: Cole Camp, Mo
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Cole Camp, Mo
I wouldn't be confident in a diagnosis from that dealer based on their MISdiagnosis of a failed ABS module. The presented symptoms don't match the diagnosis. Do you think they would have given your money back if they installed an ABS unit and it turned out to be the rotors?
There's a reason why dealer service departments dislike informed customers who are willing to solve their own problems. What's ironic is in many cases, they have no one to blame but themselves.
There's a reason why dealer service departments dislike informed customers who are willing to solve their own problems. What's ironic is in many cases, they have no one to blame but themselves.
Would they have have given my money back? I doubt it but they may have. Yeagers in Sedalia, Mo is a pretty fair dealership. Ive known the owner and several of his mechanics since I bought my first VStar from them in 02. Id say in the least, they would have refunded the labor portion.
Would I have been pissed? Absolutely. But working in aircraft maintenance for over 30 years now, I know that misdiagnosis happen all the time.
And quite honestly, I didnt believe the warped rotor diagnosis either.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 28
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From: Cole Camp, Mo
I wouldn't be confident in a diagnosis from that dealer based on their MISdiagnosis of a failed ABS module. The presented symptoms don't match the diagnosis. Do you think they would have given your money back if they installed an ABS unit and it turned out to be the rotors?
There's a reason why dealer service departments dislike informed customers who are willing to solve their own problems. What's ironic is in many cases, they have no one to blame but themselves.
There's a reason why dealer service departments dislike informed customers who are willing to solve their own problems. What's ironic is in many cases, they have no one to blame but themselves.
The Pit Posse tool seemed to work just fine.