SG break squeel gone
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From:
RE: SG break squeel gone
Swapping the rotors has been a known fix for some time now. Another thing they have been doing along with that is putting that expanding foam insulation in the wheel wells. It seems the vibration is a combination of the wheel design and factory pads. Some people have installed Lyndall pad along with the rotor swap and have good results. My SG just started developing the squeal so I took it to the dealer and the service manager said the usual....they all do that. I told him about the rotor swap and he told me that he was worried that there might be a safety issue because they are marked left and right. He talked to his HD rep and they were not approving or disapproving the swap so I guess they don't want to take responsibility for as damages. My service manager decided to do the swap on another bike and said it has worked for him so I told him to do mine. It is being done right now.
If you like spending money, get floating rotors and put Lyndall pads on. Squeal gone forever. I'm too cheap.
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
RE: SG break squeel gone
I have a 2005 Road King Custom that had the break squeel from the time I purchased it. With 3,500 miles I took the front wheel off and romoved the rotor. What I found was the wheel has voids between the torx bolts that hold the rotors on. I filled the void area with spray in foam insulation, let it set up overnight and trimed off the excess with a razorblade and reassembled. I went for a 100 mile ride yesterday and the squeel was gone.
I believe this solution or floating rotors cure the problem because you are stopping the harmonic vibration that causes the sound.
I believe this solution or floating rotors cure the problem because you are stopping the harmonic vibration that causes the sound.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: SG break squeel gone
Just dropped my SG off for it's 1K service and once again discussed the brake squeal. They don't have an answer so he just kind of looked at me. I told him that several people who own RK Customs and SG's have swapped rotors for a fix and now he really looked at me like I was nuts. Does ANYONE have the number of a HD dealer that has done this and would take a call from mine? He noted that they were two different parts, one for the right and one for the left, but said I'll have him swap them if that's what you want. I'm hesitant to have him do something that will end up causing a bigger problem, but would feel better if there was a few dealers who had already determined it something workable. I am leaving town today around 2CST and won't be back till Sunday evening, but if someone reads this and can help with this I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From:
RE: SG break squeel gone
I am personnally trying the rotor swap tomorrow. I just dont know if i should just swap them while keeping them parrallel or completely flip them around. I guess I'll flip a coinat the time. If this fails I will then go the floating rotor route.
I will keep the group posted on the results.
I will keep the group posted on the results.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: MinniApple
RE: SG break squeel gone
In this months American Iron, there is an article talking about this very thing... the spray foam was the fix, and was being used by the Harley Dealer.
Its hard to believe that there isnt a known Dealer fix for this other than the article and the forums. I cant beleive that there isnt a service tech that doesnt own a RG or RK adn havent fixed there bike.
is it just complete ignorance or dismissal from the dealers?
Bah, I have a 18k noise maker and it isnt the nice rumble sound.
Its hard to believe that there isnt a known Dealer fix for this other than the article and the forums. I cant beleive that there isnt a service tech that doesnt own a RG or RK adn havent fixed there bike.
is it just complete ignorance or dismissal from the dealers?
Bah, I have a 18k noise maker and it isnt the nice rumble sound.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From:
RE: SG break squeel gone
The problem is like it always is. Harley can not find a cheap easy fix. The rotors are marked left and right. If they approve the swap and somebody gets killed or hurt, they are in a heap of shiit. My service tech said Harley will not approve or disapprove the swap so he left it up to me. I just had mine done and no squeal what so ever. Not even a hint. I don't know how long it's going to last but we'll see. Maybe next years model won't be marked. As far as the foam goes, how can Harley approve spraying foaming goo from a Home Depot or Lowes into a $20,000. bike? What does this make their engineers look like?
Novice
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
RE: SG break squeel gone
I have an 05 springer clasic that has had an intermitant squeel almost from the day I took delivery. The dealer has not been able to correct the problem. Do you think that the spray insulation trick will help my problem? If so, where does it go?
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From:
RE: SG break squeel gone
As promissed, I swaped the rotors sides this morning, very easy job if you have the tools and bike lift. Took It out for a short spin as the weather is crappy here. NO sqeal. Now we wait and see how long.