Caliper Bolts WTF !!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 4
As I said before, I recently had new pads and rotors installed. I called the dealer, and he told me that they do not touch the rotor bolts on any of these jobs. I just can't buy that!!. How the hell did he install new pads without taking the calpter bolts off? If he installed new rotors, would'nt he need to manipulte the calipers, even if he did not take them off?
It might just be me cuz I'm not like a high dollar tech just a backyard mechanic for like ever but......Calipers aside how does the dealer have the fortitude to say they don't touch the rotor bolts if they replaced the rotors??
You can as it has been mentioned replace the pads without taking off the caliper bolts. The pin's no they sorta kinda need to removed. Now just asking and doubting you knowledge were you referring to the caliper bolts or the pad pins.
Hope you get it worked out and after everything is said and done.... Find a real "mechanic" at a new dealer or indy that has some experience under his wrench as opposed to the "techs" they hire.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 930
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, FL
Does anyone find it odd that the person answering the phone can state with such authority, right off the bat, that they didnt do anything wrong? Hopefully they make things right with you. People are human and can make mistakes, thats tolerable, but denying any type of fault is just plain wrong and chickens***t in my book. If they are taking that kind of attitude, I would find another place.
You would think they would have seemed concerned and said something with some compasion or attempted caring.
You would think they would have seemed concerned and said something with some compasion or attempted caring.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Riverview, FL
The caliper bolts were loose, not the rotor bolts, though I will now have them checked as well as I am not confident in the quality of the service.
Luckily I had tools on my bike when I went to work today, and was able to tighten the bolts, if not I would have been SOL.
I am on my way to the dearership in about 5 minutes.
Dwayne
Luckily I had tools on my bike when I went to work today, and was able to tighten the bolts, if not I would have been SOL.
I am on my way to the dearership in about 5 minutes.
Dwayne
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 2
From: Monroe, Louisiana
Just when I was happy with the break / rotor job on my 09 Ultra Classic, the damn caliper bolts came out.
I was on the way to work when I heard a "rattling" coming from the front end. I know that Harleys vibrate and shake, but they do not rattle.
I got off the bike and looked for what the problem could be when suddenly I discovered that one of the caliper bolts was missing and the other three were loose. So loose in fact that I could turn them with my hand. As I said before, I recently had new pads and rotors installed. I called the dealer, and he told me that they do not touch the rotor bolts on any of these jobs. I just can't buy that!!. How the hell did he install new pads without taking the calpter bolts off? If he installed new rotors, would'nt he need to manipulte the calipers, even if he did not take them off?
Dealer says to come by and they will "look" at the problem. I am pissed because this is definitely a safety issue!! 70% of the bike's stopping power is in the front brakes, and if the calipers are falling off, where is the stopping power? The bolts were so loose in fact that I could turn them with my fingers. Looks like the tech that did one or both of the jobs dropped the ball on this job. Aren't the bolts supposed to be torqued and LOCKTITE applied to keep them from backing out?
Am I FUBAR on this?
Dwayne
I was on the way to work when I heard a "rattling" coming from the front end. I know that Harleys vibrate and shake, but they do not rattle.
I got off the bike and looked for what the problem could be when suddenly I discovered that one of the caliper bolts was missing and the other three were loose. So loose in fact that I could turn them with my hand. As I said before, I recently had new pads and rotors installed. I called the dealer, and he told me that they do not touch the rotor bolts on any of these jobs. I just can't buy that!!. How the hell did he install new pads without taking the calpter bolts off? If he installed new rotors, would'nt he need to manipulte the calipers, even if he did not take them off?
Dealer says to come by and they will "look" at the problem. I am pissed because this is definitely a safety issue!! 70% of the bike's stopping power is in the front brakes, and if the calipers are falling off, where is the stopping power? The bolts were so loose in fact that I could turn them with my fingers. Looks like the tech that did one or both of the jobs dropped the ball on this job. Aren't the bolts supposed to be torqued and LOCKTITE applied to keep them from backing out?
Am I FUBAR on this?
Dwayne
They should have at least checked the caliper bolts, but if I remember correctly, you can't get the wheel off without removing the caliper, at least I couldn't.
Surely they removed the wheel to change the rotors. Seems like it would be more trouble than its worth to shortcut the job by just sliding the axle out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
It is possible to do that job without removing the calipers. BUT it's harder to do it that way. Why would someone even think of doing it that way. It takes two minutes to pull the calipers.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Riverview, FL
Went by the dealership yesterday and showed them the brake caliper bolts. After a few minutes of checking their paperwork, they noticed that the tech did not complete the QC checklist, which has as one of its check blocks "bolts / fasteners tightened and or torqued". The tech had a boot in his *** for his F**k UP. The bike was checked out and missing bolts were replaced. The service manager gave me a free bike detail ( usually around $65.00) and oil change. Don't need the oil change just yet, but I took him up on both. So I guess this is the ending of what could have otherwise been a very unpleasent situation.
Dwayne
Dwayne
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 17
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
Went by the dealership yesterday and showed them the brake caliper bolts. After a few minutes of checking their paperwork, they noticed that the tech did not complete the QC checklist, which has as one of its check blocks "bolts / fasteners tightened and or torqued". The tech had a boot in his *** for his F**k UP. The bike was checked out and missing bolts were replaced. The service manager gave me a free bike detail ( usually around $65.00) and oil change. Don't need the oil change just yet, but I took him up on both. So I guess this is the ending of what could have otherwise been a very unpleasent situation.
Dwayne
Dwayne
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Make sure you look at the threaded holes in the calipers and the holes in the fork legs. When mine was maoving for reasons I stated earlier here, the holes were starting to wallow out, ask the mgr to look at them if he hasnt already because if it has started to wallow it is only going to get worse in time. Right now he is making you feel nice and fuzzy by offering you details and oil changes, but once you leave youre on your own. OTOH you said you didnt ride far so you should be good to go, but it doesnt take much to double check it now.
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