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Rear brake - stuck on....

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by pokolbinguy, Mar 29, 2013.

  1. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    Hi All,

    I have an Across (GSX250F) and have just replaced the brake pads (both front and back). At first the new pads wouldn't allow the disc to fit into the brake caliper as the pistons where too far out due to the old pads being worn. I clamped the pistons back, installed the new pads, re-fitted the caliper and all seemed ok.

    Then I bled new brake fluid into both the front and back brakes, all seemed fine. Old fluid in the rear was rather milky, front seemed alright but new fluid in both now anyway.

    Now however the rear brake seems to be stuck on. Not completely so that the bike won't move at all, but enough to make it pretty difficult to roll the bike.

    What should I do? Have I potentially put too much fluid in the system and  therefore not allowing the piston(s) to retract or would the pistons be "gummed" up?

    Also the old pads had "shims" installed with them and they are referred to in the maintenance manual, should these be use? I have them in at the moment but could the extra "packing" of the shims be causing the issue?

    I have a feeling I should pull the brakes apart again and take the pistons out and give everything a good clean, is this the best idea?

    Any help you can send my way would be great. Functioning brakes are pretty important!!

    Cheers, Pok
     
  2. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Hey Pok
    Remove your calliper and check your rear piston moves freely, if it doesn't then the seals may have deteriorated and wont allow the piston to move freely , also check your piston for pitting, if it is pitted, then try some emery cloth to  clean it up.

    Chris
     
  3. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    What Chris said ......most riders dont use the rear brake much, if at all...which would explain why the PO (previous owner) has neglected it.

    Leave the fluid in and everything attached but remove the caliper and take out the pads.....press the pedal to get the pistons out partly so u can check their condition......then compress them in and out again a few times to get them moving freely......hopefully!

    You cant have "too much" fluid to stop it retracting.....u can of course pour in too much so the reservoir overflows!

    The shims are I think (someone correct me if Im wrong) just for anti rattle/squeak ...... my Fizzer rears work without them but I have purchased them (as they were missing) and will fit them eventually.
     
  4. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    Thanks for the tips guys. Any idea how much the seals would cost to replace if needed and how simple are they to replace? I assume the seals sit behind the piston?
     
  5. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    So took the calipers off this afternoon and found that one of the pistons were a bit stiff and gummed up. Gave them a clean up and got them to move back and forth a number of times, put back together and working perfectly :)
     
  6. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Winner :)
     
  7. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Excellent!  :hello2:

    Dont forget to bed the new pads in...... and also another tip is to clean the rotors with a soap pad (wash off well after) to get a bit of the glaze off.
     
  8. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    The rotors need cleaning regularly, I have used a rag with methylated spirits and it works a treat every time. You will be surprised how much junk comes off. Good luck.
     
  9. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    Grrrr the front brakes did the same thing today. But in a much more annoying fashion.

    Took the bike to get inspected for rego, half way to town and ran out of fuel...pushed the bike the next 2km or so and for fuel. Off to the inspection....took for ever, poor fellow at the mechanics had to chase up some info with the rta which took a lifetime. By now runnin late for work.

    Heading back home, shy about 2km, and the bikes power slowly drops...and eventually come to a stop with smoke from the front brake and the bike not moving anywhere. Bugger!!!

    Luckily my work is only just down the road so my boss was able to bring me some tools to take the front caliper off Adam my father fetched the trailer.

    So now the bike is back in the garage, registered, but waiting for more work to be done in the front brakes. I knew I should have pulled them apart and cleaned them out after the rear playing up. Murphy's law !!
     
  10. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    mate, I have pushed so many bikes now, I swore after the NSR250 ran out of fuel, that I would never buy a bike without a fuel gauge  :Thumbs_up:

    if you need a front caliper, I have a decent one here for $40 plus post
     
  11. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    I might just take you up on that offer, even if I don't end up needing it. I assume its off an across?

    I don't suppose you have other parts laying around? The one other thing I'm after is a chain guard.
     
  12. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    PM sent
     
  13. PD186

    PD186 Member Premium Member

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  14. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    I ended up finishing the job this morning. Got two new piston sets from the local parts supplier and fitted the new seals and pistons to both the front and rear calipers. Pulled them all apart and gave them a really good clean and put it all back together now. All working as it should [img alt=:)]http://2fiftycc.com/Smileys/yarex2/smiley.gif[/img]

    Piston sets where $150 for both sets (so average of $75 per set). Only issue I found was the dust seals for the rear were the wrong size, the outer diameter was not big enough and as such would not seat properly. The old ones were in good condition so after a clean to get all the dirt off them they are back on. Will try and see if I can get the correct ones though. I checked the part numbers and I was sold the correct stuff so I am not sure what the story there is.

    So now my bike is back in action again. [img alt=:)]http://2fiftycc.com/Smileys/yarex2/smiley.gif[/img]
     
  15. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    Ok I need some help.

    I have a feeling the front brake is starting to not release properly again. Took it for a ride this morning and all felt ok. Came home, bike has been sitting out side, just jumped on it to put it away and the the bike feels heavier then normal to roll around and the front brake lever seems pretty heavy (on).

    I have already (before the ride this morning) pulled the front caliper fully apart, cleaned and replaced the seals and the pistons (with new seals and pistons). How can I work out if the pistons are disengaging properly? I realise the movement is very small. What could be causing this issue? This is doing my head in

    I may just be going crazy though. But I don't fancy ending up in the same situation as last week were I was stranded on the side of the road with a locked up front brake.
     
  16. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Just a thought, have you looked at the master cylinder. Had this issue some time back, master cylinder was causing issues in terms of release. I would check it out as you have covered everything on the brake side. Keep us posted.
     
  17. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    Thanks for the tip.

    I feel like I have covered all bases on the caliper side of things. That's why I'm stumpted.

    What should I look at on the master cylinder?
     
  18. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    When you pull your brake lever in, a piston pushes inward to create the pressure necessary to apply the brakes. There is a clip holding the piston in and a seal to retain the brake fluid. Removing the clip is no easy job as room is at a premium. Had mine refurbished and had no further problems. It's worth a try, good luck with it mate.
     
  19. pokolbinguy

    pokolbinguy A bike that can't carry wine...a waste

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    And did you just replace the seal or the piston aswell?
     
  20. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    From memory I had a brake guy do it. He honed out the piston area, fitted new seal and reassembled the lot. Worked a treat. You can buy kits for them, think I was a little lazy that day.
     

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