Front Brakes rubbing a tiny bit?

[Dj Brady]

I'm hearing, what I thought was the fuel pump, but seems to be the somewhere around the front wheel, a sound, at speed, that just sounds like zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. It seems like it gets a little louder when I grab a handful of front brake (it also feels like the rotors heatwarp just a little bit because I get a little tick tick tick that I can feel in the lever but goes away pretty quickly as they cool.

While I had my front wheel off the other night changing my tires, I noticed that the front activated brake pads looked about 50% worn and a little chewed/frayed at the edged while the rear pads looked hardly touched (I've owned this bike 3 weeks now and the PO said he never touched the rear brakes).

Thoughts?

Thanks!

-b

 

[03HiYoSilver]

DJ,

Did you get the wheels centered correctly and the Spacers in the right place:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=132064

How many miles are on the front pads? Usually the life is about 30-35k miles.

Keep in mind these are floating pads and if they are a little loose or missing the brass? shim on the pads, they will probably rattle a bit.

Good Luck with your fix...

 

[Dj Brady]

DJ,
Did you get the wheels centered correctly and the Spacers in the right place:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=132064

How many miles are on the front pads? Usually the life is about 30-35k miles.

Keep in mind these are floating pads and if they are a little loose or missing the brass? shim on the pads, they will probably rattle a bit.

Good Luck with your fix...

Yeah, the wheel's mounted correctly. I remember hearing this sound before the tire change so I don't think that's the issue. I just noticed the pads while I had the wheel off.

I think there's about 20k on the pads. The PO said he'd never changed the rears since he never touched the rear pedal, which is why I think the 'secondary' pads on the front looked fresh... I'm wondering if there's a tiny bit of warp on the rotors since he did all his braking with the front... it really just sounds like an edge is rubbing against the cross-drill pattern a little bit

 

[03HiYoSilver]

DJ,

Sounds like it may be time for some new front pads.

One thing you can do first, like I had to do on another cycle, is Flat Sand the Pads to ensure they are flush and see it this will mitigate your problem.

 

[Dj Brady]

DJ,
Sounds like it may be time for some new front pads.

One thing you can do first, like I had to do on another cycle, is Flat Sand the Pads to ensure they are flush and see it this will mitigate your problem.

I'll give that a try and see if it helps. If I have to buy new pads, do you have a recommendation? From what I've read, it looks like people are big fans of the factory Yam pads.. any heads up on the cheapest place to find them?

Do these bikes have any tendencies to warp the rotors? I've not seen it discussed on here (I've not searched yet, but I've not seen it come up in discussion) but I can't think of any other reason why I would get that light pulsing in the lever after aggressive braking that goes away in about 30 seconds... the odd thing is.. I don't feel it in the foot lever if I press it while I feel it in the hand lever.

Once again, thanks so much for the prompt responses and info.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

You can Flat Sand them first and see what happens (it may fix your pulsating)... or just replace them.

I like OEM pads and you can get them at:

1-Local Cycle Store

2-DennisKirk

3-RonAyers to name a few.

 

[Barabus]

I have this happening on my 06 and a friend recomended spraying the master piston with cleaner next time I do a front tire.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Funny thing is, my bike sounds like that with new pads (under braking conditions) until they wear in over time. YOurs might be rubbing as you say.

My guess is with the pads so squared off on the edges, that as they go over the holes on the rotor, they make that sound.

 

[Bounce]

One thing I do when swapping pads it to clean the pistons really well using a scotchbright pad. If there's gunk up in past the dust seals it can cause the pistons to drag and not retract all the way.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Problem? Don't see no steenkin problem.

First, from Iggy's comparo about the various models:

Unified Braking System w/ABS: The front brake lever activates six of the eight front braking pistons and two rear pistons; the rear brake pedal activates two rear pistons and the other two front pistons—for balanced anti‐lock braking in all conditions.

If the last owner didn't use the rear brakes, as you report, I wouldn't expect the front brakes to have even wear on the front and rear sets of pads.

As for noise, some whirring is expected from disc brakes. Pucks passing over brake cooling holes and the normal slight amount of rotor play allows this. If you ever ride with wave rotors next to a jersey wall, the sound can really get your attention.

So from there, let's think through just the fronts for a minute. You have about 20k on the pads and say they look about half worn, right? (btw, these brakes can be chewed up in a lot less than 35,000 miles if you do a lot of backroads quickly!) You haven't mentioned grooving or ridges in the rotor. You haven't mentioned pulsing or grabbiness as you apply the brakes, which are the typical cues of a warped rotor. So they stop you, and you're not chewing through a set of pads every few thou, and aren't reporting any other symptoms of bad things. Have I got this right?

Based on what what I understand, it sounds to me like you have a typically good running FJR!

 

[canyonman]

I have not had this happen on the FJR but did on my HD. I had a continuous buzzing from the front rotor when the brakes were not being applied. Turned out I had some crud in the vent hole in the side of the master cylinder that was letting air in above the diaphram but wouldn't let it out. This was keeping a small amount of positive pressure in the reservoir holding the pads against the rotor. Not enough to heat the rotor but just enough to drive you nuts with the buzzing sound.

So keep your blow holes clean fellas and um ladies :blushing: !

 

[Harald]

Problem? Don't see no steenkin problem.

First, from Iggy's comparo about the various models:

Unified Braking System w/ABS: The front brake lever activates six of the eight front braking pistons and two rear pistons; the rear brake pedal activates two rear pistons and the other two front pistons—for balanced anti‐lock braking in all conditions.

If the last owner didn't use the rear brakes, as you report, I wouldn't expect the front brakes to have even wear on the front and rear sets of pads.

As for noise, some whirring is expected from disc brakes. Pucks passing over brake cooling holes and the normal slight amount of rotor play allows this. If you ever ride with wave rotors next to a jersey wall, the sound can really get your attention.

So from there, let's think through just the fronts for a minute. You have about 20k on the pads and say they look about half worn, right? (btw, these brakes can be chewed up in a <u>lot</u> less than 35,000 miles if you do a lot of backroads quickly!) You haven't mentioned grooving or ridges in the rotor. You haven't mentioned pulsing or grabbiness as you apply the brakes, which are the typical cues of a warped rotor. So they stop you, and you're not chewing through a set of pads every few thou, and aren't reporting any other symptoms of bad things. Have I got this right?

Based on what what I understand, it sounds to me like you have a typically good running FJR!

I agree with your assessment except one technical detail. The front brake does not apply any rear brake. The rear brake applies pressure to one set of pistons on the right front caliper. Having the link only go one way comes in handy when you want to do those smokey burnouts! :devil: