Sam250 Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 Hello again all,This time I noticed after not having left my bike garaged for a week the front wheel was only completing half a rotation when I gave it a spin, and it was giving resistance when pushing the bike. I took it out for half an hour or so and found it rode fine, and the wheel felt like it has loosened up just a little when I got it back and gave it another spin. Today, again after not riding for a few days, I try to spin the front wheel and it's not giving me anything: I have to push it to get it to rotate at all. Pushing the bike is a real strain and as I rode around my patio slowly I could feel the resistance of the front wheel and when I turned the handlebars I got an unpleasant screeching sound. I've walked to work today. Any thoughts on what the problem is? All help appreciated Quote
Fozzie Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 Front brake is binding on a bit due to lack of useDoes it free up and remain that way after daily use?If it keeps doing that after being allowed to cool down, then there is probably rubbish behind the seals in the brake caliper and it needs a refresh. Quite easy to do on one of these as there's only 2 pistons on the front brake caliper. Quote
megawatt Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 After a ride, roll to a stop without using front brake. Check temperature of discs by touch. If one is significantly hotter than the other you need to exercise and clean the pistons URGENTLY or you will warp a disc. Undo caliper, put a piece of thin wood between pads, pump brake until pads grip the wood. Clean any crud off pistons and polish until shiny. Apply a smear of Red rubber grease to shiny surface. Push pistons back into caliper and refit. Repeat with other caliper. If discs still getting hot, you need to strip and service the calipers. Quote
Dav3y Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 Good call if you've walked to work today. I would definitely get this sorted before riding the bike again as a wheel lockup could mean disaster.If you can get the caliper off, then take that off and see if the wheel is still binding. If it is, it's likely a wheel bearing. If it now spins freely without the caliper attached, it would be a good time to strip and clean and lubricate before reassembling. Quote
Sam250 Posted April 14, 2015 Author Posted April 14, 2015 Thanks all, this was exactly what I needed to know, and I've learnt a bit more about my bike in the process I don't know if this is a permanent solution, and once I've bought some red rubber grease and sandpaper as well as the Hayne's manual I've needed for a while now I do intend to take the caliper off and give it a proper clean, but in the end just cleaning the pistons whilst the caliper was on has freed the wheel. Having read this guide I pumped the brakes and blasted the piston from the outside with cheap brake cleaner and ran a cheap paintbrush around it. Problem sorted? Seems like it. Quote
Grumpy Old Git Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Well done Did you remeber to remove all the surplus fluids (especially from any paintwork)? Quote
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