Do I need to bleed
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Third Coast, South Texas
Do I need to bleed
Just changed my rear brake pads today and they were pretty thin so the pistons were out a ways. After putting it all back together, back brakes do not feel right. I've changed pads on my 08 a few times and never had to bleed.
Wondering if bleeding might do the trick and now see that dealer has to hook up reader to abs to get this done correctly. Anyone know anything about this.
Thanks
11 Ultra Limited
Wondering if bleeding might do the trick and now see that dealer has to hook up reader to abs to get this done correctly. Anyone know anything about this.
Thanks
11 Ultra Limited
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Unless there is something peculiar to the ABS that I'm uneducated about, you should not need to bleed. That is assuming you didn't open the hydraulic system and simply compressed the pistons back into their bore.
Give the new pads a chance to "wear in" and then see how they feel.
Give the new pads a chance to "wear in" and then see how they feel.
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From: Bedford UK
If your bike has had the reservoir topped up during the time your old pads were on the bike, by pushing the pistons back to get the new pads in, the reservoir is probably now too full. So yes, you should bleed the brakes, to restore the fluid to proper level. You could alternatively open the reservoir cap, but there is a risk the fluid is under pressure and will spill out. Take care if you do that!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
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From: Victoria, Australia
There is no need to bleed the system with the dealer provided Digital Technician unless you sucked any air into the ABS unit.
If you didn't take off the reservoir cap you probably have back pressure in the system. Just crack the bleed screw at the caliper a little bit and tighten it up again before the flow stops; which may be enough to take the pressure off the system.
Bleed as per normal when you can take the cap off and watch the fluid level.
WARNING-- Dot 4 fluid WILL eat your paint if you don't get it off quickly.
If you didn't take off the reservoir cap you probably have back pressure in the system. Just crack the bleed screw at the caliper a little bit and tighten it up again before the flow stops; which may be enough to take the pressure off the system.
Bleed as per normal when you can take the cap off and watch the fluid level.
WARNING-- Dot 4 fluid WILL eat your paint if you don't get it off quickly.
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: Third Coast, South Texas
Ok, done the bleeding with the mighty vac and did get out a little air. but still have the problem.
I'll try to describe, very lite touch of the pedal feels normal. A little more and almost like a pulse or real grabby and seems like the ABS is trying to come on. All this in first at no more than 15 mph.
I'll try to describe, very lite touch of the pedal feels normal. A little more and almost like a pulse or real grabby and seems like the ABS is trying to come on. All this in first at no more than 15 mph.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
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From: Victoria, Australia
I'm sorry I can't help any further. If it feels like the ABS is trying to come on when it shouldn't, it's probably time to discuss it with dealer service.
If there's air in the ABS block the Digital Tech may be needed to to bleed it properly.
Probably not exactly what you want to hear though..
If there's air in the ABS block the Digital Tech may be needed to to bleed it properly.
Probably not exactly what you want to hear though..
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Brake feel is a touchy subject (no pun intended).
I think you should expect a slightly different "feel" anytime you work on the brakes, i.e., new pads, rotors, bleeding, etc. Sometimes the different "feel" is purely psychological. ****, my brakes feel different everytime I wash my bike.
Unless there is something blatantly obvious causing the different "feel" I'd simply ride it a few days. After a little ride time I'd bet everything will feel normal then.
I think you should expect a slightly different "feel" anytime you work on the brakes, i.e., new pads, rotors, bleeding, etc. Sometimes the different "feel" is purely psychological. ****, my brakes feel different everytime I wash my bike.
Unless there is something blatantly obvious causing the different "feel" I'd simply ride it a few days. After a little ride time I'd bet everything will feel normal then.
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From: Third Coast, South Texas
Problem found, and self inflicted. In my quest to do a perfect job, and against my better judgement. The rotor which was probably just fine, did have a little scoring. I pulled that off and had one of my buddys take a few .001 off. Turns out that the rotor was .007 thicker in the area where the floating button is.
So that was the pulsing grabbing feeling I was getting,
Installed new rotor and all is well
So that was the pulsing grabbing feeling I was getting,
Installed new rotor and all is well
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