front Brake scrubbing

[AthensM50]

hey guys.....I changed my front pads and i'm getting some scrubbing on the rotors.....wheel will not spin freely......

is that normal???......

after changing I pumped the front hand brake.....it firmed up quick.....rode a few miles....stops great.....but as I roll it around the shop I hear it rubbing.

do I need to bleed???

thanks for any advise

 

[wfooshee]

Probably old seals not allowing pads to release. Pistons don't retract, drags the brakes. A few years ago I discovered that when off the ground, my front wheel would stop almost as soon as I let it go when I shoved it. After changing the seals, brakes fully release, wheel coasts properly.

It could be a DIY job, but then again, I pulled my motor, split the case and changed out the transmission a few years ago, so different folks have different interpretations of DIY... 

Oh, your question. Bleeding will do nothing for this.

 

[Canadian FJR]

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjp68z5uK3lAhUOTt8KHf5OCfsQtwIwAHoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFNz00OTRLzM&usg=AOvVaw14FIa6e4wdqyiIVuI-JTRG

 

[weluvbikn]

If there has been any additional fluid added prior to the installation of the new pads to make up for pad wear, the reservoir might be overfilled.

 

[AthensM50]

may try cleaning before I rebuild seals....

there is no fluid been added BUT I did notice at the left reservoir (over the clutch) was low.....have not added fluid to it yet.

 

[RossKean]

The left reservoir is for the clutch, not the brake and has nothing to do with your issue.

Make sure that the right reservoir is filled to the appropriate level - not overfilled.  An overfilled reservoir could cause a problem with the brake not releasing fully.  (as per weluvbikin's comments, above).

Note: It is common to have the pad rub lightly - enough to prevent free rotation, but not really applying much braking force.  Go for a short ride and do not use the front brake at all.  Check the temperature of the front rotors when you get back.  While they may be a bit warm, they shouldn't be hot.  If one side is warmer than the other, it may point to a problem with one of the calipers.  Are brake pads wearing quickly (or the rotor)?

 

[AthensM50]

The left reservoir is for the clutch, not the brake and has nothing to do with your issue.

Make sure that the right reservoir is filled to the appropriate level - not overfilled.  An overfilled reservoir could cause a problem with the brake not releasing fully.  (as per weluvbikin's comments, above).

Note: It is common to have the pad rub lightly - enough to prevent free rotation, but not really applying much braking force.  Go for a short ride and do not use the front brake at all.  Check the temperature of the front rotors when you get back.  While they may be a bit warm, they shouldn't be hot.  If one side is warmer than the other, it may point to a problem with one of the calipers.  Are brake pads wearing quickly (or the rotor)?

not sure if they are wearing...just put them on last week.

the reservoir is full past the glass....do I open and remove some?

 

[RossKean]

Good probability that this is your problem - especially if you weren't noticing it before changing out the pads.  with new (thicker) pads, the pistons are starting out further back.  this puts fluid back into the reservoir.  If it was pretty close to completely full before changing pads, it is very likely too full with the new pads.  

I would open it and check.  Remove some if necessary.

 

[AthensM50]

ok...update:

I watched the video of the cleaning and figured that would be the best way to start....I removed right side caliper and started cleaning.....pressed the the front brake to see if I could get the "piston" out more to clean....and one fell out into the soapy bucket of water.....It popped back in.....finished and put back together......same thing on the other side....one of those came out....

well after putting back together .....now they will not "firm up" from the lever...I can just pump and pump.

what happen>??

thanks for any input

Jeff

 

[RossKean]

Seriously?  If you popped the piston out, you're going to have to bleed the brakes to get all the air out of the system.  If you don't understand hydraulic braking systems, pay someone to do it or get someone to show you. 

If you got ANY water in the system, you will need to thoroughly flush from top to bottom with fresh fluid.  Don't get any brake fluid on your paint.

 

[AthensM50]

already called shop.....was trying to do what I could....but have a shop close so I can take to them.

 

[Mortenk]

In the future, put something between the pistons that's slightly thinner than the pads (e.g. a piece of wood). This will allow all pistons to come out a little - without popping out! You then clean them using brake fluid and e.g. a shoelace (no soap and water needed). You should then be able to push the pistons back in (be careful the others don't pop out of course). You monitor the fluid level in the reservoir throughout and adjust level at the end to be near top of the sight glass

 

[AthensM50]

So I tried to bleed them myself......and was able to get the to firm up....rode around the block and they seem to work just fine.

I ran about 1/4 to 1/2 bottle of Dot4 thru them.....being that I did pop the Piston out and got soapy water in them....what I do from here???....I will prob still take them to get the seals redone....shop is about a month behind....

can I still ride until I can get them redone?.....what will the soap do?....should I run more fluid them them?

thanks!

 

[RossKean]

Water will cause corrosion.   It also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid so you could lose your brakes if they heat up.  Not likely unless you are riding aggressively but still an unnecessary risk. I wouldn't redo the seals unless there are still issues.  From the original description,  I think that the reservoir was over full and not allowing the pistons to retract fully.  I put 200,000 miles on my '07 and never did anything to the brakes except bleed and flush every two years. Never replaced anything but brake fluid and pads.

 

[Mossyrocks13k]

In the future, put something between the pistons that's slightly thinner than the pads (e.g. a piece of wood). This will allow all pistons to come out a little - without popping out! You then clean them using brake fluid and e.g. a shoelace (no soap and water needed). You should then be able to push the pistons back in (be careful the others don't pop out of course). You monitor the fluid level in the reservoir throughout and adjust level at the end to be near top of the sight glass

I actually use one of the brake pads I am replacing when I do this.  So far no pistons coming out too far.