Squishy front brake help
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
wasted 5 hours today ! no luck..help !!!
hi fellows.
i have a 2005 softail.
front brake lever travel is very soft and hits the handle if i squeeze.
i did the following today:
- removed the caliper,pumped the lever until both bads touching..pistons we out quite a lot without removing completely. cleaned with brake cleaner properly. repeated a few times..in-out, clean... until all 4 could be pushed in with my fingers etc...
-installed new factory pads, cleaned the pins, etc..
-replaced brake fluid with dot 5 2 times...spotless..
-blead the system perfect..
-still, the lever when squeezed has lots lots of travel before it starts resisting , then if i squeeze hard, it hits the lever..
I AM LOST AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE !!
-the master and the brake line is what is left ..
the master shows no signs of being damaged as the brake lever always has pressure and never goes dead... and pumps the same even after a week... so no internal leak...
- the brake line is what i question ? can it be that with 20k miles, the line is expanding and therefore doesnt stay solid when i apply pressure and it bulges , sending more oil into the line that it should ? which would ex plain the extra travel and sofetness ? i cant get the lever to give me a stiff feeling when pulled... it goes from regular to resistance.. then you can pull more and it goes to the handle when applying a decent amount of squeeze...
please , ideas !
i have a 2005 softail.
front brake lever travel is very soft and hits the handle if i squeeze.
i did the following today:
- removed the caliper,pumped the lever until both bads touching..pistons we out quite a lot without removing completely. cleaned with brake cleaner properly. repeated a few times..in-out, clean... until all 4 could be pushed in with my fingers etc...
-installed new factory pads, cleaned the pins, etc..
-replaced brake fluid with dot 5 2 times...spotless..
-blead the system perfect..
-still, the lever when squeezed has lots lots of travel before it starts resisting , then if i squeeze hard, it hits the lever..
I AM LOST AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE !!
-the master and the brake line is what is left ..
the master shows no signs of being damaged as the brake lever always has pressure and never goes dead... and pumps the same even after a week... so no internal leak...
- the brake line is what i question ? can it be that with 20k miles, the line is expanding and therefore doesnt stay solid when i apply pressure and it bulges , sending more oil into the line that it should ? which would ex plain the extra travel and sofetness ? i cant get the lever to give me a stiff feeling when pulled... it goes from regular to resistance.. then you can pull more and it goes to the handle when applying a decent amount of squeeze...
please , ideas !
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
A while back there was another thread on this procedure that went a step further in removing the pads for the piston/caliber cleaning.
With those pins already loosen,you have very little more to do to remove the pads,
I removed the pads.With the pads removed I fold,1 time,a piece of cardboard and put between the pistons and then pumped the brake lever and tywraped the lever to keep pressure on the pistons.
I then used brake cleaner and my GF's toothbrush to spit shine it.
There is a special grease/lube used on the pins.Ordinary grease would most likely melt,bad .
The anti-squeek stuff for the back of the pads and pin grease are available at AutoZone,et..
Don't forget a torque wrench and blue loctite.
http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
With those pins already loosen,you have very little more to do to remove the pads,
I removed the pads.With the pads removed I fold,1 time,a piece of cardboard and put between the pistons and then pumped the brake lever and tywraped the lever to keep pressure on the pistons.
I then used brake cleaner and my GF's toothbrush to spit shine it.
There is a special grease/lube used on the pins.Ordinary grease would most likely melt,bad .
The anti-squeek stuff for the back of the pads and pin grease are available at AutoZone,et..
Don't forget a torque wrench and blue loctite.
http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/service_tech.htm
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
The rubber ones bulge / expand - especially as they get older.
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