Front Rotor Problem

[MikeYork5]

I've got a left front brake rotor that is basically 'MORE' than a full floating rotor (see WTB section). Over the past couple of months I was getting a lot of noise from the front of my bike at low speed, that basically sounded like the fairings were loose and vibrating/rattling. Yesterday, when putting some air in the front tire I grabbed the LF rotor and to my chagrin there was probably around a 32"nd free play in the rotor. The buttons/rivets were loose allowing the outer rotor ring to move, substantially. I think I have a 'full' floater vs. a semi on the left front, weird huh? My bike is an '04 with 18k on it. Might want to check your rotors for the hell of it. Anybody else have this problem? If anyone has a LF rotor they want to part with let me know, otherwise I guess its off to University.

 

[madmike2]

Mike, while this is not a "common" problem it has been reported before. Link.

I agree, when it comes to brakes, get NEW rivets/buttons. U-motors is your friend!

 

[salan10]

Hi. I have a brand new, never mounted right front rotor for an 03 FJR. Let me know if you think you can use it.

 

[ionbeam]

Hi. I have a brand new, never mounted right front rotor for an 03 FJR. Let me know if you think you can use it.

Good on ya for offering salan10, but... the '03 rotor is smaller (dia) than the rotor on MikeYork5's '04.

'03......4SV-2581T-00-00

'04......5VS-2581T-00-00

 

[MikeYork5]

Thanks for the offer - but I ordered a new one from University - at close to half the price I was being quoted at my two 'local' Yammy dealerships. Another knotch on the gun for University!

 

[4KLESS]

As long as we're on the subject of rotors I have a question I could not find the answer to in any of the associated lnks:

I have a set of rotors from a salvage yard. They are straight, but brake fuid has gotten onto the carrier and has removed much of the paint. It is possible for the buttons to be R&R so I can repaint the carriers easily? Special tools required or something best left to a shop? Any help on the process would be appreciated.

 

[Longrider]

My 04 FJR had exactly the same problem show up at 37,000 in July, 07. Yamaha replaced both rotors at no charge.

Longrider

 

[donaldb]

Sorry to dig this one up from the grave, but I need to knock the dirt off and ask a question.

My front left rotor is loose. As mentioned earlier in this thread it's full free floating now and has more free play that I like. I can rattle it a little by hand. At low speed the front rotor is knocking in the rivits as the wheel spins.

The sound is a tock....tock....tock....tock tone at low speed only. Obviously due to cintrifical forces of higher speeds the tocking stops. I'm not concerned about the noise, it does not bother me, but I am concerned about the loose rotor. God knows it would be ugly at 70 mph should that thing come off. Is there any concern of such?

 

[Fred W]

Don,

I'd inspect the thing closely (use a magnifying glas if you need to) and make your own determination. None of us can see your brake rotor or how much those rivets are deformed or not.

That said, I'd not let the noise bother me too much. They are intentionally designed to be loose so the disk can move around some.

But if the rivets look munged up at all, get that puppy out of there.

 

[SkooterG]

Yes, there is cause for concern. The rotor should not be loose. You need to replace it sooner than later.

My suggestion is to try to find a cheap used replacement off ebay.

 

[donaldb]

Yes, there is cause for concern. The rotor should not be loose. You need to replace it sooner than later.

My suggestion is to try to find a cheap used replacement off ebay.

Skoot..........

Ya think I need to replace both the rivets and the rotor or just the rivets? Except for the fact that it's a bit looser than it should be, the rotor looks fine. I do a lot of panic braking and firing off of the ABS just for practice. My assumption is that I probably caused this condition over time. Possibly I have stressed/stretched the rivet spaces of the rotor????

 

[donaldb]

Don,

I'd inspect the thing closely (use a magnifying glas if you need to) and make your own determination. None of us can see your brake rotor or how much those rivets are deformed or not.

That said, I'd not let the noise bother me too much. They are intentionally designed to be loose so the disk can move around some.

But if the rivets look munged up at all, get that puppy out of there.

Fred........

you think I could have stretched the rivets?? Those are aluminum correct? I would think they would stretch before the rotor would?? Thoughts??

Thanx

 

[donaldb]

No need to reply, after looking at the Bikebandit site I see now how the rotor part is assembled and how to replace it. I am however wondering how difficult it is to remove those bolts????? Anybody ever done this before and can comment on this subject? Maybe some advice on how to make it easier? Thanx

Anybody happen to have the dorque values on those bolts on a 04?

 

[Geezer]

The bolts that mount the rotor to the wheel are installed with loc-tite and you will probably need to heat them up to soften the loctite. Then, the best way is to use an impact wrench to get them off.

 

[donaldb]

The bolts that mount the rotor to the wheel are installed with loc-tite and you will probably need to heat them up to soften the loctite. Then, the best way is to use an impact wrench to get them off.

ouch!!

I don't have a torch or an impact wrench. I guess I'll have to take the wheel somewhere to have that done. Thanks for the info.

 

[fjr vfr]

Had this issue twice on my 04. I went for many thousand miles the first time. I don't think it's so much a safety issue, as they're not going anywhere, but it can be annoying. Both times I got rotors off Ebay. As for the bolts they are loc-tited like Geezer said. What you need to get them loose is a ratchet and socket type allen head socket, (don't know how you call it). It needs to be squared off, verses ball type and of good quality so it doesn't round out the bolts or itself. Sears sells the allen socket for about $5. Once you have the right tool it's a piece of cake.

 

[donaldb]

Had this issue twice on my 04. I went for many thousand miles the first time. I don't think it's so much a safety issue, as they're not going anywhere, but it can be annoying. Both times I got rotors off Ebay. As for the bolts they are loc-tited like Geezer said. What you need to get them loose is a ratchet and socket type allen head socket, (don't know how you call it). It needs to be squared off, verses ball type and of good quality so it doesn't round out the bolts or itself. Sears sells the allen socket for about $5. Once you have the right tool it's a piece of cake.

Thanks!!

That, I got!!!

 

[Fred W]

But do hit those bolts with a propane torch to soften the loctite before hand. It'll make it much easier. And buy some new screws and red loctite for the replacement. Do not re-use the old screws.

 

[donaldb]

But do hit those bolts with a propane torch to soften the loctite before hand. It'll make it much easier. And buy some new screws and red loctite for the replacement. Do not re-use the old screws.

I have the copper torch, I just need a bottle of propane. I plan to buy new bolts/screws and I have some red loctite.

Thanks for all the imput! It's certainly appreciated. I think I have some time, I don't believe this condition is urgent, so I'm going to give it a couple weeks and see if I can find a used one at a fair price. I see none on ebay at the moment. If I cant pick up a used one, then around the first of Nov. I'll break down <no pun intended> and buy a new one. Thanks again!