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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Front Brake Issue
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Message started by MagickNinja on 07/01/11 at 00:01:10

Title: Front Brake Issue
Post by MagickNinja on 07/01/11 at 00:01:10

So, my front brake is acting weird. When I first got it we put fluid in it, bled it and was good to go. About a week later I was trying to back it out of the driveway and it felt really heavy. I realized the front brake was grabbing. So we let the pressure off and tightened it again, front wheel rolled freely. A few days later, same thing.

It's not locking up, it's just gradually getting tighter. Ideas?

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by Boofer on 07/01/11 at 04:10:32

It sounds like a bleeding issue. Air in the lines expands when heated by ambient temps or by braking heat. Also, what model is it it? A collapsed inner hose can cause similar symptoms. It lets fluid through but it can't get back past inner obstruction.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by prechermike on 07/01/11 at 04:16:56

My '87 will drag just a little when I back up, does not do it when going forward. I have no idea why that happens and it does not appear to be hurting anything. :-?

I try not to back up. ;)

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by Boofer on 07/01/11 at 04:25:34

I just noticed no one has ever asked about putting on a back up safety beeper. ;D

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by arteacher on 07/01/11 at 04:43:22

He does not complain of a mushy brake. If it's not mushy it can't be air in the line. Could be a problem with the brake line as Boofer has said. Also check that the tiny vents on the top cap are clear. If they are plugged the fluid won't return to the reservoir as it should, thereby keeping pressure on the brake pads.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by drums1 on 07/01/11 at 05:41:59

What year is bike, or how many miles on it? As with cars, sometimes the caliper itself begins to seize up, due to internal dirt and rust. If you feel comfortable with it, disassemble caliper and clean it real good. I'd use some emery cloth on the inside of caliper bore, and outside of caliper piston itself. Probably a good idea to replace the seals if you go this route. Otherwise maybe replace the caliper with new--if cost permits.
Also check that the pads are able to slide back and forth. If the pads become seized where they sit, you may encounter the same symptoms. Good luck with it.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 07/01/11 at 06:41:04

Check to see if there is a small amount of clearance between your brake lever & the master cylinder piston. Mine was doing what you describe & I discovered the lever had NO clearance at all. Most bikes have a screw to adjust this, the Savage does not. I took off my lever & filed it to allow it to come out a little further until I had a few thousandths clearance before contacting the piston. This cured my problem & it hasn't come back. 8-)

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MotoBuddha on 07/01/11 at 09:11:56

If none of the suggestions above solve the problem, check whether to caliper slides in and out (right and left) easily on it's mounting posts.

There's the curved piece that bolts to the fork leg. That piece has two posts bolted to it. They're hidden by the black rubber boots. The caliper slides onto the posts. Sometimes the posts get gummy and the caliper can't slide in and out. When the caliper piston releases pressure, the pad on the piston side relaxes, but the other pad is left dragging against the back side of the rotor.

You can check if this is the problem without taking anything apart. The next time the brake acts as you describe, push the caliper toward the right side. Then see if the problem persists.

If that fixes it, then you can either live with pushing the caliper over from time to time, or you can take off the wheel, pull the caliper off the posts, then clean and grease the posts and the holes in the caliper they slide into. The posts are slightly hexagonal. The flat areas are there to leave room for grease.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MagickNinja on 07/03/11 at 13:34:43

6F54595A586F485353584F0C0E3D0 wrote:

Tried this. My lever was putting pressure but we ground it down and it didn't fix it.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MagickNinja on 07/03/11 at 13:35:16

436E6E676473010 wrote:

This might be the issue, I'll have to take it a part and check. Thanks

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MagickNinja on 07/03/11 at 13:36:18

4452554D5311200 wrote:

She's an '87 with 13k miles. My brother says the caliper looks good.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MagickNinja on 07/03/11 at 13:37:20

587A617A576071717D74150 wrote:

hm...this might be the issue as well. I'll check it out today and let you know. Thanks!

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/03/11 at 15:01:35

Im not thinkin the wheel has to come off to get the caliper off..

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MotoBuddha on 07/03/11 at 15:32:59

No, the wheel doesn't need to come off if you're going to remove the whole caliper. It will just slide off the rotor once it's unbolted from the fork.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/03/11 at 15:39:04

BIve heard of a bad hose causing this kind of problem.. Make sure the caliper will slide on its pins, if it still drags hard,, get a hose on it,, now is a good time to upgrade to stainless braid if the hose is the problem.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MotoBuddha on 07/03/11 at 17:17:32

Or the piston seals could be gummed up.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/03/11 at 17:19:53

What color is the fluid? If its brown, its WAAY too old.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by ralfyguy on 07/03/11 at 19:33:18

An '87 that might have never seen a fluid change. I put my money on either stuck floating pins or corroded piston.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by MagickNinja on 07/05/11 at 13:25:27

5F4046415C5B6A5A6A52404C07350 wrote:

What color is the fluid? If its brown, its WAAY too old.

C'mon now you think I'd run old? When I got the bike the previous owner told me it needed a brake cable...yeah...he said cable. I laughed really hard. The resevoir was empty when we got it. We put some fluid in and bled it. Worked fine as a brake and then this creeping brake came.

My brother ground down a piece on the lever as suggested and then he did something else. I don't know exactly what it was but when I pull my front brake now, it moves in easily and brakes softly but in a firm way. A lot less touchy than it was before. Was very stiff and like instant brake.

I've ridden the bike down the road a couple times since and in 2 days it hasn't messed with the front wheel at all and TBH, I really like the front brake how it is now. It stops me quickly and firmly but it much more manageable. I've caught myself using just the front brake to slow me down in town and it's perfect.

I'll ask him what he did if anyone wants to know.

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by Digger on 08/13/11 at 18:09:00

072B2D232921042324202B4A0 wrote:

.....I'll ask him what he did if anyone wants to know.

I'd like to know, please. :)

TIA!

Title: Re: Front Brake Issue
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/13/11 at 20:15:37

5F727C7C7E691B0 wrote:

[quote author=072B2D232921042324202B4A0 link=1309503670/15#18 date=1309897527].....I'll ask him what he did if anyone wants to know.

I'd like to know, please. :)

TIA![/quote]

Yea,, me too..