front brakes pulsating
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
front brakes pulsating
A friend brought his 05 RK over because his front brakes are pulsating when the brake is applied. I rode it and it is pretty noticeable. I used a dial caliper on the rotors and spun the wheel to see if the rotors were warped but they dont seem to be. Any one have any thoughts on this or experienced the same thing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Take the calipers apart and clean the pistons. Get a new gasket / o-ring kit from the dealer and make sure you use silicone grease on the pistons when you put it back together. The pistons are probably sticking in the bores. If the pistons are found with any pitting on them, replace them. You may find the pads have worn uneven. This is also an indication of sticky pistons. I did my buddies 03' RK and put on new pads while we were at it, pulsing went away.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Idaho Falls, ID
The rotor can have good run out and still give a pulsation if it has surface hard spots.
Hard spots are caused by excessive heat applied, such as heavy loaded and a panick stop. In an automotive application the rotors would be skim cut to remove the surface hard spot and new pads installed.
Hard spots are caused by excessive heat applied, such as heavy loaded and a panick stop. In an automotive application the rotors would be skim cut to remove the surface hard spot and new pads installed.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Warren, Michigan
Out gassing from the brake pads will cause brake pulsations, look it up on the WEB. If the pad is out gassing too much it will cause a slip (too much brake pad gas) and grab (when the gas escapes) between the pads and rotors.
I chased this down on a Chevy Tahoe once. Went through everything on the brake system to find out at the end it was the relatively new brake pads I had installed earlier. They were out gassing too much. Replaced the pads and all was good again. I will admit I never thought it would have been the pads but after researching the WEB I discovered this is not all that rare of an issue. Most just don't try to fix it or give up trying.
My brother in-law had the same issue with his 2000 Road King. Took him a long time and a lot of money (rotors, calipers, new brake fluid) before he believed me and replaced the front pads. Guess what, after replacing the front pads it stopped smooth as silk again.
Good luck, it might not be this, but it could be.
Dave
I chased this down on a Chevy Tahoe once. Went through everything on the brake system to find out at the end it was the relatively new brake pads I had installed earlier. They were out gassing too much. Replaced the pads and all was good again. I will admit I never thought it would have been the pads but after researching the WEB I discovered this is not all that rare of an issue. Most just don't try to fix it or give up trying.
My brother in-law had the same issue with his 2000 Road King. Took him a long time and a lot of money (rotors, calipers, new brake fluid) before he believed me and replaced the front pads. Guess what, after replacing the front pads it stopped smooth as silk again.
Good luck, it might not be this, but it could be.
Dave
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 7
From: guntersville, al
Out gassing from the brake pads will cause brake pulsations, look it up on the WEB. If the pad is out gassing too much it will cause a slip (too much brake pad gas) and grab (when the gas escapes) between the pads and rotors.
I chased this down on a Chevy Tahoe once. Went through everything on the brake system to find out at the end it was the relatively new brake pads I had installed earlier. They were out gassing too much. Replaced the pads and all was good again. I will admit I never thought it would have been the pads but after researching the WEB I discovered this is not all that rare of an issue. Most just don't try to fix it or give up trying.
My brother in-law had the same issue with his 2000 Road King. Took him a long time and a lot of money (rotors, calipers, new brake fluid) before he believed me and replaced the front pads. Guess what, after replacing the front pads it stopped smooth as silk again.
Good luck, it might not be this, but it could be.
Dave
I chased this down on a Chevy Tahoe once. Went through everything on the brake system to find out at the end it was the relatively new brake pads I had installed earlier. They were out gassing too much. Replaced the pads and all was good again. I will admit I never thought it would have been the pads but after researching the WEB I discovered this is not all that rare of an issue. Most just don't try to fix it or give up trying.
My brother in-law had the same issue with his 2000 Road King. Took him a long time and a lot of money (rotors, calipers, new brake fluid) before he believed me and replaced the front pads. Guess what, after replacing the front pads it stopped smooth as silk again.
Good luck, it might not be this, but it could be.
Dave
seriously? grew up in a harley shop and many auto shops and never heard of pad gassing. please enlighten!
