front brake dragging/noise
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
Both my Harleys have brake squeal, nobody else I know or ride with has it. I figure it has to be me. I am going to spend part of my day pulling the pads off the RK and roughing up the surface of them (bike only has 2900mi). Have a great stationary belt sander in the shop, that oughtta put a nice flat scuff...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From:
Stop the noise now!
Ok guys here it is, take it for what it's worth. I had the trouble appear when I removed the front bumper on my 07 Ultra. This required loosening all the front end axle related components and reinstalling said parts. The axle floats in the assembly more or less. What is happening is the alignment of the components is not correct and is causing the slight drag. Run through the service manual setup by the numbers for the front axle. Once proper alignment is achieved it will disappear for good. 22k on mine now, still no noise since I ran the procedure. Let me know if you need more explanation.
Ride ON..........
Ride ON..........
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 25
From: Manchester, TN. & DeLand, FL.
+1 Smoky. Also might spray a little brake cleaner on the pistons of the calipers. There was quite a discussion on the forum a while back about this. I cleaned mine and all is better.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From:
I will concur with the cleanliness of your brake system. Any dirt/rust what so ever will create reduced performance and tolerance of fitment. But I remind you it is an all weather machine and designed to operate in a multitude of environments, don't get carried away. I did not mean to refer that one needed to disassemble anything, I was referencing the fact that I disturbed original fitment in the process of removing the bumper, which required a realignment of said parts. It miffed me for a week or two before I reviewed the service manual and discovered my own mistake. I had reassembled based on past HD's and my experience. I wouldn't call the dealer a liar regarding the floating rotors solving it as well, just not required to cure it. Instead it's a cost that is not the true answer. One might say the axle/brake assembly is captured rather than locked in place. Kind of like saying a 103" kit will solve my fuel/ECM issues. It will impact and improve if it is setup correctly, but not the true cure or root of the problem.
Ride On....
Ride On....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove California
Sidelined not for long
04r Electra glide classic 97,000+ miles weeping bleeder pistons not retracting heating up rotor checked with straight edge measured thickness rotor , speed bleeders ordered coming up on 100,000 mile complete brake system rebuild