Binding front brake

[alexanderfoti]

Hi all

My front brakes are binding. I changed the pads (as they were very low) and replaced the fluid but this did not help.

I pushed the pistons in using a c clamp with plastic cups, replaced the brake fluid, and the calipers are still binding!

I am thinking a bit of dirt or grime is stuck between the brake seals, meaning I need to change them.

Thoughts?

[Stu]

Sounds to me like they need a strip down remove the reals clean behind them clean pistons and put them back together

Unless they are on slides and they are sticking

[alexanderfoti]

Cheers, I have greased the slides already, so we can rule that out.

Should I replace the seals when I clean the pistons?

[Stu]

If they aren't leaking why bother? If you can wait till you get them out give them a check over if they look good put them back in

[alexanderfoti]

Great! Thanks very much, I will give this a go.

[megawatt]

What you originally said is right. NEVER push pistons in without cleaning them first!!!

[Tango]

Personally if I were stripping the callipers to clean them I'd put new seals in.....and I'd clean and polish them....and replace all the screws with nice shiney ones.......but then I'm a bit OCD anyway.....

[alexanderfoti]

Hm I would normally, the thing that bugs me is the bike is only 2 years old! (10k miles!)

bit of a pain that they are playing up already!

[megawatt]

They are not playing up mate. Pistons bind when they are not kept clean! They are easily ignored , but they cause problems without regular maintenance. If you remove pads occasionally, clean pistons, grease with red rubber grease, push back in and refit pads , you should be OK.

[Tango]

But if you ride in all weathers that salt and crud can really b*gger the brakes up. Strangely lack of use can also be more harmfull than regular use. And binding callipers can cause the disk to overheat and warp it.....

[megawatt]

Good point Bob, but a better reason for regular maintenance. After a salt run, I always rinse the calipers off with plenty of water. The first sign of binding and I "exercise " the pistons.

[alexanderfoti]

Hmm I should be more regular with my cleaning sessions...

[Tango]

Definitely Alan...... it's brakes that often get overlooked when doing maintenance unless it's a pad change. Worth taking an old toothbrush to the exposed parts of the pistons every now and then.....just to stop the build-up of crud and corrosion as well as keeping the guide pins clean and slightly greased (copper Grease obviously....and the merest smear too)

[megawatt]

Good advice Bob. More brakes get fooked up by fitting new pads and lack of cleaning than ignoring em completely!!!

[Guest]

I had a similar problem when I first got my bike,one of the pistons wasn't seated squarely. I also use emery cloth on pad retaining slider/pins ,they can get little grooves forming from wear and tear. Sound advice with the cleaning,red grease and copperslip though.I do mine every other month.

[Tankbag]

Hmm I should be more regular with my cleaning sessions...

 

I'm guilty as charged with this

[alexanderfoti]

I did end up removing the pistons, cleaning the seal grooves, fitting new seals and thoroughly cleaning the pistons, they were caked in corrosion! bloody salt on the roads, only 2 years old as well.