Front brakes rubbing
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
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From: Victoria B.C.
Front brakes rubbing
I took my front wheel off when I pulled my front fender off and now that I got it back together the front brakes are rubbing. Is there a secret that I didn't know about? I have bleed the brakes and I'm going to try and bleed them again today but it doesn't seem to be helping. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
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From: Lockport Township, IL
Are they rubbing the enitre way around the rotor, or only in one place? If you bent the rotor taking off/putting on the wheel, yo would get a pulsating when the high spot on the rotor passes through the brake pads.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
goin g to be really tough on the internet to tell, rotors will get hot too hot to touch, they will prewvent the wheel from turning freely . I don't know really anyway to tell you how to tell if it's too much. like the poster above said if it isnt a high spot and you can turn the wheel relativly easy then it sounds fine , but trying to define relativly easy isn't a measurable thing . but with new pads the will be tight and very grippy on the rotor till they "wear in" a bit so even hen coasting (clutch in) you may notice some increased drag. It's one of those things I know how it shoudl feel by can't explain it very well
Last edited by SIDECAR BOB; Aug 11, 2011 at 09:41 AM.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
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From: Victoria B.C.
Thanks guys. I took the brakes apart last night and gave everything a really good cleaning and flushed the system and added new brake fluid and it all seems to be better now. Not sure what the issue was but it seems to be good now.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
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I noticed the same kind of rubbing, but without the heat. I know according to the manual , when reinstallng the axle ,supposed to use a 7/16" drill bit to guage it, I wonder if you may have it to tight or too loose? Mine hadnt been doing it for a while until I had the front end apart, now it rubs a little. Anyone know if this sounds right?
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
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I threw some new brake pads on the front yesterday, did the screwdriver with the old pads trick to get the piston back in so the rotor fit the new pads. I too am having a helluva noise/grind. I did not use brake cleaner because they put a new tire on recently and it was all pretty clean. I also did not use the little packet of piston lube. Should I go back in and drop some of the liquid in there? It's so easy I can get the caliper off in about 90 secs.
Or...should I just push the piston in a bit more?
Or...should I just push the piston in a bit more?
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5
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I had my front break pads rubbing (not releasing properly) after I changed the front tire. The rotor got so hot I couldn't touch it. I removed one caliper (Ultra Classic) and pumped the cylinders out a bit and cleaned the dust build up with a clean rag dampened with break fluid. Note, be careful you don't pump the cylinders out too far and expose the seal. Repeat for other caliper. I bled the brakes for good measure. I now can touch the rotors after a ride and they are not hot. No more loud rubbing noise when I move the bike.
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