Front brake noise?
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Front brake noise?
On my way home today on my 02 electra glide classic started sounding like the front brake s are rubbing but as soon as i squeeze the front brake the noise goes away. Any one expwrience this??
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: san diego
the pads can be dragging. first thing to check is to make sure you don't have too much fluid in the reservoir. if its filled to the very brim the fluid cannot return to the reservoir upon release, and leave residual pressure on the calipers, secondly make sure its just not a normal amount of drag, put the bike in the air and spin the front tire. does the wheel have resistance? if not, I'd say there isn't anything wrong, but I'm not hearing the noise. noises are very hard to diagnose on line. a second opinion may be wise there. if there is drag take one caliper off, and see if the resistance is there, if still there remove the second one. if resistance is gone by removing both, I'd make sure the Master cylinder is returning all the way, (piston can stick, on the inside) and the most common reason is the pistons hanging up in the calipers. I would try to "exercise" them. doing one at a time, (make sure the opposite one is on the disc) place a large screwdriver between the brake pads and squeeze the lever, allowing the pads to move in quite a distance. use the screwdriver to force them out to the widest position. do this a few times. then do on the other side. squirting a little brake fluid on the pistons on the full squeezed position may help, also clean that area with some brake clean and some air. if this doesn't help, You will have to have calipers/master cylinder or both possibly rebuilt. but try that first
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Pittsburgh PA
the pads can be dragging. first thing to check is to make sure you don't have too much fluid in the reservoir. if its filled to the very brim the fluid cannot return to the reservoir upon release, and leave residual pressure on the calipers, secondly make sure its just not a normal amount of drag, put the bike in the air and spin the front tire. does the wheel have resistance? if not, I'd say there isn't anything wrong, but I'm not hearing the noise. noises are very hard to diagnose on line. a second opinion may be wise there. if there is drag take one caliper off, and see if the resistance is there, if still there remove the second one. if resistance is gone by removing both, I'd make sure the Master cylinder is returning all the way, (piston can stick, on the inside) and the most common reason is the pistons hanging up in the calipers. I would try to "exercise" them. doing one at a time, (make sure the opposite one is on the disc) place a large screwdriver between the brake pads and squeeze the lever, allowing the pads to move in quite a distance. use the screwdriver to force them out to the widest position. do this a few times. then do on the other side. squirting a little brake fluid on the pistons on the full squeezed position may help, also clean that area with some brake clean and some air. if this doesn't help, You will have to have calipers/master cylinder or both possibly rebuilt. but try that first
Thanks, just started less than a mile from the house today. I will look into these & more just thought I'd throw it out to see if it was a "common" thing...is there any special adapters or things to look for lifting these? I have had plenty of bikes on the lift but didn't pay close enough attention to see if there was anything off about the glides.
I have had a similar problem with my wideglide. I noticed at the end of last season kind of a swishing sound, is that what you are hearing? Mine ended up being a bad seal on one of the pistons. You can get a seal kit for about 15-20 bucks or a full rebuild kit with pistons for about 50 on J&P Cycles. Mine was bad enough that it warped my rotor as well. Not sure if you are having the same issue, but thought I would put this out there in case it could help someone. Ride safe!
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Cruiser
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From: Pittsburgh PA
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
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From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
i battled it for about a year.
Rebuilt calipers changed rotors..
It all ended up the rotors warp ever so slightly..
If I bought new rotors every time it started I'd be broke..
And NO, I do not overheat or abuse the front brakes.......
I'm just dealing with it...
Rebuilt calipers changed rotors..
It all ended up the rotors warp ever so slightly..
If I bought new rotors every time it started I'd be broke..
And NO, I do not overheat or abuse the front brakes.......
I'm just dealing with it...
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 197
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Not sure how many miles on the pads, bike is new to me. I can tell you I put a couple hundred miles on before this started so I am fairly sure it's a new problem and not an ongoing thing.
I had it up in the air at work briefly and seems to be some drag on the front wheel. It looked like one of the pistons was out noticeably further than the other but just didn't have time to further investigate. Is it hard to rebuild the calipers because that's looking like where I am headed. Also, what special tools are needed & does anyone have a way to send me the pages that pertain to that I haven't ad a chance to pick up the service manual yet.
I had it up in the air at work briefly and seems to be some drag on the front wheel. It looked like one of the pistons was out noticeably further than the other but just didn't have time to further investigate. Is it hard to rebuild the calipers because that's looking like where I am headed. Also, what special tools are needed & does anyone have a way to send me the pages that pertain to that I haven't ad a chance to pick up the service manual yet.