Front brake issues
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 33
From: East Alton, IL
I had the same thing happen to my 2000 Dyna. No amount of bleeding would fix it. I asked a HD mechanic and he asked if the tires were changed recently. I said yes. He then told me that the problem was when they pushed the pads back they didn't clean the pistons. Now they are sticking and actually pulling the pads back away from the rotors. I took the calipers off, left the pads in there and pumped the lever until I saw the pads actually move and stay put. Then took spray brake cleaner and cleaned the pistons. Pushed the pads back and mounted the calipers back. Problem solved for $3 worth of brake cleaner.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 159
I had the same thing happen to my 2000 Dyna. No amount of bleeding would fix it. I asked a HD mechanic and he asked if the tires were changed recently. I said yes. He then told me that the problem was when they pushed the pads back they didn't clean the pistons. Now they are sticking and actually pulling the pads back away from the rotors. I took the calipers off, left the pads in there and pumped the lever until I saw the pads actually move and stay put. Then took spray brake cleaner and cleaned the pistons. Pushed the pads back and mounted the calipers back. Problem solved for $3 worth of brake cleaner.
Good info.. I did notice the right side caliper has more of the pistons showing than the left side. If I have time in the morning I'll spray them down and give them a good cleaning with a brush. If anything at least they will work a little better.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 33
From: East Alton, IL
Just spraying them down wont do a thing. The problem is that the square seal in the caliper is stuck to the piston. When you pull the lever the piston moves but the seal pulls it back. Sorry but you have to take the calipers off, then, while the pads are still mounted to keep the piston from popping all the way out, pump the lever until the piston actually moves and stays there. As you first pull the brake lever you'll be able to see the piston move but when you release the lever you can see the seal actually pull it back. You have to pump the lever until the piston moves past the "stuck" part. Then clean it with brake cleaner and a soft brush. Like an old tooth brush or old paint brush. Never use a metal brush! When you have it clean push the pads back with a screwdriver or similar so you can put the caliper back over the rotor. Good luck!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
It would need to be squeezed to regain pressure not completely pumped back up. The pistons pushing back in would press back on the lever and you would feel it. It just doesn't make sense to me how it would be a bad rotor out of nowhere. If the brakes need to be pumped then air has to be getting into the system. I haven't had any issues spinning the tire with the bike jacked up as of lately either. I can pump the brake and hold it with full pressure from any speed to a complete stop. I'll take another look at the rotors but they haven't had a chance to get warped. I'm not losing any riding time with the weather here anyways.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 159
Well I for one owe you an apology. I never thought I could have a warped rotor without any feedback in the lever but my right side rotor is bent at one spot. I did notice before that the pistons on that side where more visible than the other side but never thought much of it. I guess before with brake cleaner on the rotors it spun very freely and didn't bind but once it cleaned off you can definitely feel where it grabs. I took a flashlight and you can see where part of the rotor completely loses contact with some of the brake pad and pushes the pad back in.
New rotors are on order right now. Some nice looking stainless ones that I think would go well with the spoked wheels. Not sure if I want to get different pads or just keep what I have. The pads still have some life left in them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
Well I for one owe you an apology. I never thought I could have a warped rotor without any feedback in the lever but my right side rotor is bent at one spot. I did notice before that the pistons on that side where more visible than the other side but never thought much of it. I guess before with brake cleaner on the rotors it spun very freely and didn't bind but once it cleaned off you can definitely feel where it grabs. I took a flashlight and you can see where part of the rotor completely loses contact with some of the brake pad and pushes the pad back in.
New rotors are on order right now. Some nice looking stainless ones that I think would go well with the spoked wheels. Not sure if I want to get different pads or just keep what I have. The pads still have some life left in them.
New rotors are on order right now. Some nice looking stainless ones that I think would go well with the spoked wheels. Not sure if I want to get different pads or just keep what I have. The pads still have some life left in them.
That's great I'm glad you got it sorted out...Maybe you can share that info at the shop that looked at it and perhaps save someone some unnecessary expense of buying parts they don't need....Be safe ...Have a good one.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
I clean my caliper pistons often, I find that a 1/2" craftsman ratchet handle holds the pistons perfectly before they come out. One side at a time take a caliper off ,take the pads out, put the handle in there pump up the brakes , spray with brake clean, and push the pistons back in, and put the caliper back on, you would be surprised how well the brakes work after this. I have the old style calipers I don't know if this will work with the new ones.
