Road King Rear Breaks

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Oct 30, 2013 | 01:35 PM

Marine22

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 5

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From: springfield missouri

Road King Rear Breaks

Thanks for letting me in on this website. This is my first post, so we'll see how it goes. I have an 03 Police Road King, had it since 04 it had 9 miles on it when I got it. In the last two years I have had trouble with the rear breaks, when the pads are about 1/3 worn down the rear breaks just almost go away completely. I had pads basically explode about two years ago and since then I have replaced pads 4 times and the rotor this spring, still same old thing. Pads wear about 1/3 then breaks start going away. There are no leaks, either at the master cylinder of on the caliper that I can see, The resivour is full. System has been bled on more than one occasion. Question is, do I assume the rear caliper is bad and replace or is there something I am missing?

Oct 30, 2013 | 01:45 PM

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,988

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From: Florida

Check your discs for warpage.

Oct 30, 2013 | 02:32 PM

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

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From: Bedford UK

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. In addition, measure the thickness of your rotor. If it is close to the wear limit, or beyond, replace it. However don't change things without confirming they need it! An additional thought, when replacing pads, do you check fluid level? It is possible for the system to be over-filled and cause premature wear.

Oct 30, 2013 | 02:49 PM

Loc_Tite

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 1,392

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From: Delaware

Have you cleaned and inspected the caliper pistons? Could be some corrosion on them. You can try removing the caliper, place something flat and a little thinner than your rotor between the pads, then work the brake to see if the pads are able to compress the distance required. While you have all that piston exposed, clean it up with some brake cleaner. Then pop off the master cylinder cap and spread them back out.

Oct 30, 2013 | 03:03 PM

Jumpman

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,573

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From: StL, MO. USA

The calipers are crazy easy to rebuild. The kit to do it isn't all that pricey...especially if you get an aftermarket kit.

I would pull the caliper apart, blow-out the lines and rebuild it...there really isn't much to the brake system. It's relatively simple/straightforward.

From what you are describing, it almost sounds like different types of brake fluid got mixed (DOT 4 & DOT 5)...that is 'typically' evident by discoloration of the fluid, but not always. It WILL (I know from personal experience) result in a lack of brake power if you mix the two fluids...it could also cause the pads to stay in (light) contact with the rotor, creating heat and making the pads overheat and get brittle.

Could be wrong. But just my $0.02.

Oct 30, 2013 | 04:11 PM

Marine22

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 5

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From: springfield missouri

Thank you all for the quick response to my questions. Here is what I have done. I have always made sure to only use DOT5 fluid (listed on the master cylinder cap). The Rotor/Disc is within specs (only 5 months old).Bled the system (no air). I don't think the resiviour is over full. So guess next is to pull the caliper, clean it then determine if it's rebuild time or replacement time. If you have any other ideas I would appreciate any and all.
Thanks again.

Oct 31, 2013 | 09:42 AM

speednut

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Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 331

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From: Conyers

Hello Marine 22 Welcome to the site. Rebuilding the caliper would be a good idea it very well could be your problem. I would remove it and check for corrosion. I also would not rule out the rear master cyl. as being the culprit. Please keep us informed as to what you find.