Front Brake Drag

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Big_Jim59, Jun 25, 2016.

  1. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I am starting to hate this bike. I got my rim straightened out, my tire installed and my wheel balanced. I tried to install it all today and now I have a front wheel that drags on the brakes. The calipers seem free but I guess it will all have to come apart for a good clean and check. Also the brake lever goes to the bar and refuses to pump up. I will never make an end to this bike. Never buy something that someone has left sit.
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    did you check the front disc bobbins can freely move?
     
  3. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Hang in there Jim, you will get it sorted, but you are probably right, when a bike gives you all these problems and you start to hate the bike because of all the problems you will never get to like it
     
  4. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Don't hate the poor bike, the PO is responsible. Need to dis-assemble calipers and clean out master cylinder. I did it on my 83, probably some old brake fluid that gelled up.
     
  5. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I know that it is from neglect but it seems like opening a can of snakes.

    I did a bobbin check!

    The goal, at this point, is not to ride it or even start it but to make the front wheel roll free.
     
  6. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I know what you mean, I had to deal with my own neglect of letting it sit in my garage!
     
  7. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I uninstalled the wheel, per the book and it spins free. I cleaned both caliper, pushed the pistons back and installed the brake pads. Before squeezing the brake the wheel spins free. Depressed the brake and the wheel locks but will turn with some effort. The brake lever goes to the bar and never firms up. I will mess with it another day. Disgusted.
     
  8. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Jim the brake locking up sounds like the return hole is blocked but the lever going to the handelbar is another mystery, sounds like a complete strip is going to be required. Keep plugging away, I know it can get frustrating
     
  9. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    You are probably right but in that case I will have to push the whole mess off into a corner and let it sit until I have worked to make more funds. It's turning into a money pit.
     
  10. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Jim, many times I have bought things that sounded good at the time and in the end if I can get rid of them and just get my money back I'm happy and sometimes even just getting your money back doesn't happen and I have also spent a bucket of hours on it as well
     
  11. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Sorry to hear that your new acquisition is misbehaving Jim.

    I think Norm is probably right that the master cylinder might need a clean out. I've done this with brake bits bought off eBay and it's perfectly possible to clean out debris that is stopping the brake working as expected, without putting new parts in. The hardest bit is getting that #@$%&& circlip out, my circlip pliers are too manly to reach into that small space, but a pick worked.

    After that I'd be into the secondary master cylinder.
     
  12. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    rebuild the master cylinder use only Dot4 and no synthetic.
     
  13. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    Sometimes it can't be helped and you can't save money. You have to fix what's broken and fix it right. It is the only way. Something is just a little different. The old pads were bedded to the old disks but I have changed the disks. (The mic out as the exact same.) I cleaned the calipers and made sure the pistons were free and clean. The old pads were serviceable but I just pissed away another $100 on three sets of replacement brake pads. I think in this situation it is best to start fresh. It's not like the wheel won't roll but it is tight. I still think it is an alignment issue.

    I did bleed the system with fresh dot4 and that's all good.
     
  14. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Maybe teaching you to suck eggs Jim, but have you got the axle and left fork leg properly aligned? You need to leave the left side loose until after the right side with the big nut is tightened, bounce the forks a few times, and then snug up the left side clamp.

    Are your sliding pins in the calipers properly slidey?
     
  15. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I hear ya man! I have been systematically going through the drill, not leaving any front end stone un-turned. I am sure I am missing something though. It wouldn't be the first time. I have been cleaning the extended pistons while I wait on new pads.
     
  16. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Jim can you confirm the sliding pins are greased up and moving? If not you could be pulling the caliper up against the inner pad when you press the brake, but the caliper can't move back inwards when you let off to allow the inner pad to come off the disc.
     
  17. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    It is with a heavy heart that I come before you to confess that I now know what the problem is. I made an assumption. My assumption was that the dent in the wheel was on the right side. So sure of my facts was I that I installed the tire and the disks the wrong way around. Did you know that there is an offset in the wheel? You do now. It's not big but it is enough to make everything not line up correctly. I have swapped everything around and the calipers fit and it rolls perfectly. I will pay my penance and have the tire swapped round and re-balanced. To add insult to injury, as i was installing the disks I noticed a small, direction of rotation, arrow cast in to the wheel. I am happy to have it straightened out. I feel the fool for letting it get to this.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2016
  18. GigemVFR

    GigemVFR New Member

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    We will only suspend your man card for one week for putting it on backwards. lol
     
  19. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    Bring it! I feel the need for punishment.
     
  20. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Glad to see you have the issue sorting out :thumb:
    Sometime you just need to step back take a deep breath, have a cold beverage and start all over :wink:
     
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