Hot rear caliper
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Stellar HDF Member
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Hot rear caliper
Replaced the pads on rear of 09 Ultra after 23,053 miles and then rode to dealer to have the rear brake switch replaced under the safety recall. Rode back home and they seem to work great, but the rear rotor is much hotter than the front ones. After a 40 mile ride the rear was too hot to touch, yet the fronts were cool. I am worried that they might be dragging and generating too much heat. I did not replace the front, only the rear. Any suggestions, is this normal?
Last edited by Sandcrab; Apr 17, 2012 at 10:26 AM. Reason: Rotors not the caliper was too hot.
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From: Bedford UK
If the fluid was topped up at some time the pistons may not be retracting fully, because there is too much fluid in the reservoir. Take great care when slackening the cap screws, as if fluid squirts out it can go everywhere and may spoil your paint!
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From: Southern Maryland
Hot Rotors
When I forced the pucks back into the caliper, it raised the level of the fluid in the resevoir, so I took a clean paper towel, rolled it up, and dipped it into the fluid to lower it. When I put the cover back on however, the level was still too high, as some spilled out. After cleaning that up and spraying the resevoir with brake cleaner, I went for my ride.
Today I rode it about 75 miles and again the rear rotor was too hot to touch with the bare hand, but the front rotors were again warm, but not hot. So after the ride, I put a vinyl hose on the the rear caliper bleed screw while depressing the rear brake pedal, which removed a little more fluid from the resevoir. I will ride it again to see if that helped. If it still hot, then I will take it into the shop for them to fix. I am planning a 200 mile ride on Sunday and would like to enjoy the ride and not worry about smoking my brakes, not to mention the safety factor of less braking action with hot brakes.
Today I rode it about 75 miles and again the rear rotor was too hot to touch with the bare hand, but the front rotors were again warm, but not hot. So after the ride, I put a vinyl hose on the the rear caliper bleed screw while depressing the rear brake pedal, which removed a little more fluid from the resevoir. I will ride it again to see if that helped. If it still hot, then I will take it into the shop for them to fix. I am planning a 200 mile ride on Sunday and would like to enjoy the ride and not worry about smoking my brakes, not to mention the safety factor of less braking action with hot brakes.
Last edited by Sandcrab; Apr 17, 2012 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Clarification
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Zactly
That's what I am thinking also. But how do you get them to retract farther. Do you take a putty knife and insert it between the rotor and brake pads?
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Personally I would demount the caliper and use a suitable lever between the pads. It needs something more substantial than a putty knife!
If the pistons are not retracting enough it may be they are dirty, in which case they need to be pushed out a little so you can inspect and clean. Sounds as if you are well equipped and an old toothbrush with cleaner may do the trick.
Another possibility is a build-up of brake dust that may be fouling the pads themselves, so they are not moving freely. I have had that on other brand bikes, though not my Harleys.
If the pistons are not retracting enough it may be they are dirty, in which case they need to be pushed out a little so you can inspect and clean. Sounds as if you are well equipped and an old toothbrush with cleaner may do the trick.
Another possibility is a build-up of brake dust that may be fouling the pads themselves, so they are not moving freely. I have had that on other brand bikes, though not my Harleys.
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Stellar HDF Member
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fixed I think
Personally I would demount the caliper and use a suitable lever between the pads. It needs something more substantial than a putty knife!
If the pistons are not retracting enough it may be they are dirty, in which case they need to be pushed out a little so you can inspect and clean. Sounds as if you are well equipped and an old toothbrush with cleaner may do the trick.
Another possibility is a build-up of brake dust that may be fouling the pads themselves, so they are not moving freely. I have had that on other brand bikes, though not my Harleys.
If the pistons are not retracting enough it may be they are dirty, in which case they need to be pushed out a little so you can inspect and clean. Sounds as if you are well equipped and an old toothbrush with cleaner may do the trick.
Another possibility is a build-up of brake dust that may be fouling the pads themselves, so they are not moving freely. I have had that on other brand bikes, though not my Harleys.
It was above warm, but not so hot that I had to let go, so was pleased. Fronts were still cooler than the back, even though I used the fronts to stop. Think I am good to go.
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This morning, put bike up on sissor jack and got down and took two screw drivers and slowly worked the pads out on both sides of the rotor. Then I slowly pushed the brake several times and then added some dot 4 brake fluid to proper level. Took about a 100 mile ride and when I came down my driveway, I had not used my rear brakes in about 1.3 miles, jumped off bike, and touched the rear rotor.
It was above warm, but not so hot that I had to let go, so was pleased. Fronts were still cooler than the back, even though I used the fronts to stop. Think I am good to go.
It was above warm, but not so hot that I had to let go, so was pleased. Fronts were still cooler than the back, even though I used the fronts to stop. Think I am good to go.
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From: Bedford UK
Looks as if you have solved the problem. Well done and fingers crossed you get plenty of miles out of it before you have to think about it again.
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