front brake was pants - is now super stiff!!!

[fishtail]

I have ordered a braided hose for the front - not yet arrived.. looks like I need to get some more stuff - b'cos the front brake ( which WAS sort of pants) has now graduated to terrible!!

very stiff - and not much power left ....

which end is the likely culprit?

what investigations do i need to do to find out? am I better off just buying the seals for them? before cracking em open? or take a look first?


parts list i guess for front caliper?

( seals? pistons? )

or the whole thing?

master cyclinder

seals ?


also is it worth buying a brake bleeding kit or will the jam jar and a bit of tube do?

[fallenmikethebike]

Wind out the adjusting screw, when it is only just touching the end of the piston rod, bleed the brakes in your usual manner.
Wind in fractionally more to adjust for hand reach.
I think at the moment the screw is wound in so far it's grounding out, and not allowing the piston to return fully.
IMO
Mike

[fishtail]

hi mike

thanks

I took a look today ( not much more as busy with work and its raining again!!! )



the screw isnt so far in that it has contact with the piston all the tine

altho the screw is wound fully out!

the brakes work as before - the lever is just super stiff - I did think it was becos the lever was on the hand guard but actually thats not the case....

has something seized I wonder?

[fallenmikethebike]

Slacken of the pivot bolt as well.
Mike

[fishtail]

ha! I will check that out!

that would be my preferrred problem

thnx!!

[fishtail]

ar$e!

thats not it!

which end is siezed I wonder?

master cyclinder or the caliper?

or take the lot off and have a look?

I will have time tomorrow...

and the weather is looking good!

[fallenmikethebike]

How near the upper level is fluid currently?
Mike

[fishtail]

think it was high? will crack it open tomorrow afternoon and maybe bleed them?

its not like I have to pump the brakes to get a response ,, but they feel rock hard now - and need arm aching amounts of pressure to slow down,,

i will probably have a look at the master cyclinder first?

becos I think if I take the calipers off I will be surely tempted to clean and paint it!

why oh why dont I wait for my braided hose to arrive is the sensible thought!

[fallenmikethebike]

To much fluid can give the effect you mentioned, but the brake generally jams on as well.
It could well be a piston refurb kit is required .
Mike

[knackeredMk1]

I was just going to say exactly the same as FMtB . Is that 'Great Minds Think Alike' OR 'Fools Seldom Differ' .

Anyway you should take the cap off the master cylinder and check there is sufficient gap and the rubber membrane is in the correct position.

[fallenmikethebike]

I was just going to say exactly the same as FMtB . Is that 'Great Minds Think Alike' OR 'Fools Seldom Differ' .

Anyway you should take the cap off the master cylinder and check there is sufficient gap and the rubber membrane is in the correct position.

In my case, it's generally the latter
Mike

[fishtail]

hmm
took rubber off master cylinder..

and pumping the brake - pumped some cloudy stuff out!!!




nipped to local shop - got seals for the calipers ( 2 sets ) and some brake cleaner... ( and some ebc sintered pads - altho a bit of life left in the old ones.. )








one or 2 question - does the steel link at the bottom look ok? I might have battered it a bit?!!!

I'm gonna need a master cyclinder repair kit? is this ok? says 91 - mines 96?!!!!

( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MASTER-CYLIND ... _500wt_895)

[back off road]

looks like the fluid needs replaceing

[Pie-eyedpiper]

What model are you running there fella?

NEVER seen a set up like that before. That "steel link" at the bottom that is all bent is a brake pipe.
Surely it should not have one? And certainly not there. A HOSE should run straight up from from the caliper and bolt onto your fork guard.

By the looks of things, I'm not surprised your brake is pants.

[fallenmikethebike]

Is that a flat spot right at the bottom of the pipe that shouldn't be on there anyway
Mike