Dragging Front Brakes STILL!! Now What?!?
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Dragging Front Brakes STILL!! Now What?!?
Ok, I have hit my frustration level big time with these front brakes! They have been dragging since I got the bike (500-600 miles-ish), to the point where you have to turn the wheel with alot of force when its on the jack. I have pulled the caliper pins and greased them (a week ago...after 100 miles, there is no grease on them, theyre dry as a bone again) and in following directions on the Lyndall site about how to clean the pistons, I pulled the caliper farthest away from the master cylinder and started to follow the directions and as I pump the lever, I see that only one side of the caliper pushes the pistons out. Is that correct? Should the inboard side be stationary? When I pry the pads back apart with a screw driver, the pads don't go back to where they should be....hence the binding.
GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
Sounds like you have a stuck piston, bad caliper. All four pistons (or two on some bikes) should move easily. If you haven't flushed the brake fluid as suggested in the manual, you may have rust build up in the system, binding the pistons. I bleed my brakes every two years and use quality fresh brand name DOT 3 fluid. I also installed the "speed bleeders" brake bleed screws. Makes bleeding the system a breeze.
www.speedbleeder.com If you give them a call to confirm the correct sizes, they are a big help.
Good luck.
www.speedbleeder.com If you give them a call to confirm the correct sizes, they are a big help.
Good luck.
Last edited by SteveO; Sep 13, 2010 at 07:44 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Sounds like it may be time to rebuild the calipers. HD sells a kit with new seals for the pistons. You'll basically disassemble the calipers, clean them with brake fluid and reassemble them. It's not difficult, though the directions call for using compressed air to get the pistons out of the calipers and when I did it a piston was shot out of the caliper like a bullet--quite a surprise; so exercise care.
Since the bike has some age and your a new owner, good idea to check the rotors for run-out and wear (there's a min. thickness embossed on each), and otherwise assure yourself the brakes are A-1.
If you don't have the HD Service Manual for your bike, good idea to get one.
Carl
Since the bike has some age and your a new owner, good idea to check the rotors for run-out and wear (there's a min. thickness embossed on each), and otherwise assure yourself the brakes are A-1.
If you don't have the HD Service Manual for your bike, good idea to get one.
Carl
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Albany, New York
Raceface,
Before you start taking things apart to rebuild them, check the Ft Bk master cyl.
There is a little hole in the bottom of the cyl. Make sure that there is nothing blocking that hole. With the master cyl cover off, pump the front brake. You should be able to tell if fluid is pumping back up. (it should almost ant to squirt ouy of the mater cyl) If you don't, you cold have some crud blocking that little hole and the brakes will lock onto the disc.
Try that first.
Keep us posted. Best of luck.
trib
Before you start taking things apart to rebuild them, check the Ft Bk master cyl.
There is a little hole in the bottom of the cyl. Make sure that there is nothing blocking that hole. With the master cyl cover off, pump the front brake. You should be able to tell if fluid is pumping back up. (it should almost ant to squirt ouy of the mater cyl) If you don't, you cold have some crud blocking that little hole and the brakes will lock onto the disc.
Try that first.
Keep us posted. Best of luck.
trib
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
What seems normal to you is just plain wrong to me. Wasn't right 2 years ago and it ain't right now. I know there are a hell of lot more experienced wrenches on this forum than me, but 10 bikes later, I can tell you the problem was never addressed. My 09 RK Police spins with light/moderate resistance just like it is supposed to do, and that is normal.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
Carl has some good advice. I was having some pretty bad dragging on my '07 after I changed rotors and pads. I had always kind of blown off Howard's recommendation about taking the calipers apart and cleaning everything really good. I wasn't thinking about these pistons not having dust boots and such like an auto does. After 24000 miles, the pistons were very dirty and sticky. Cleaned them up with de-natured alcohol, put in new seals and they are good as new. No dragging.
A tip about blowing the pistons out with air.... I had a hard time with the first one since I wasn't expecting one piston to fly out and leave the other 3 sitting there looking at me like I was stupid. Leave the caliper on the bike, drop the pads out, shove a shop rag in on either side of the rotor, and blow the pistons out with the caliper still on the bike. All four will give a muffled bang as they leave the caliper body and stop on the shop rag covered rotor. Remove the caliper, take it apart, and the pistons come right out.
A tip about blowing the pistons out with air.... I had a hard time with the first one since I wasn't expecting one piston to fly out and leave the other 3 sitting there looking at me like I was stupid. Leave the caliper on the bike, drop the pads out, shove a shop rag in on either side of the rotor, and blow the pistons out with the caliper still on the bike. All four will give a muffled bang as they leave the caliper body and stop on the shop rag covered rotor. Remove the caliper, take it apart, and the pistons come right out.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 7
From: Indianapolis
Ok, I have hit my frustration level big time with these front brakes! They have been dragging since I got the bike (500-600 miles-ish), to the point where you have to turn the wheel with alot of force when its on the jack. I have pulled the caliper pins and greased them (a week ago...after 100 miles, there is no grease on them, theyre dry as a bone again) and in following directions on the Lyndall site about how to clean the pistons, I pulled the caliper farthest away from the master cylinder and started to follow the directions and as I pump the lever, I see that only one side of the caliper pushes the pistons out. Is that correct? Should the inboard side be stationary? When I pry the pads back apart with a screw driver, the pads don't go back to where they should be....hence the binding.
GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Ok, now I've got an extended warranty on this bike. I wonder if I'm just being super **** about this and this might just be normal (I dont think it is), or would this be covered under warranty. 2 of the 4 pistons in each caliper didnt move.....so something is wrong. Thank you everyone!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
This is not a warranty issue, it's a maintenance issue. Your calipers need to be taken apart and cleaned because the pistons are sticking. Don't ride the bike until you perform this maintenance or you will warp the rotors, if you haven't already. The rotors will need to be checked with a dial caliper for warpage before you put it back together or you are waisting your time and money. Buy a manual and do it yourself or take it in to the dealer. If the pistons have pitting on them, replace. Put back together using silicone grease on the pistons. If you go to the HD dealer and get the caliper gasket kit with new o-rings, instructions come with it and are easy to follow. You do need some basic mechanic skills and the correct tools to do this job.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RomeoTango
General Harley Davidson Chat
13
May 28, 2020 03:40 PM
