Brakes binding after I cleaned 'em

[jesse v]

Just cleaned my front calipers as per this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNz00OTRLzM


I did this last week on my wife's 650 and everything went OK. Brakes feel better, engage more linearly, etc. Tried it with my 1k tonight, and now my brakes bind BAD. Prior to cleaning, there was a little bit of rubbing.

Any ideas? At one point in the cleaning, I accidentally pushed out one of the pistons so far it was crooked (almost fell out). Could this have caused something?

I'm planning on riding through the Loess Hills tomorrow so this is really bumming me. Hopefully I can fix it tonight. Your help is much appreciated

[H96669]

I can't see the video from here, but if any residual brake cleaner stayed on the seals don't look too much farther. No more brake cleaners for me to do that, I use Methyl Hydrate, safer to some extent and won't swell rubber, something that some brake cleaners can do very well after a little while.

[concours]

Maybe the Road Warrior has a matching caliper repair video.

A proper inspection, possible disassembly by a mechanic should quickly reveal where the problem lies.

[jesse v]

No brake cleaner product was used. Could have messed up a piston seal or 2 or 8; I'll check those out next.

[PeterW]

Best guess, the back of a pad has hooked one of the tangs on the anti-squeal springs at the back of the calliper, or one of them just plain shifted, and that's what's jamming a pad.

First two times I cleaned the brakes on my DL's 3 hours + and much swearing, third time, 5 minutes and I was left wondering what all the fuss was about - hint don't leave it until it REALLY needs doing.


Pete

[jesse v]

Thanks PeterW. I triple checked the springs and they're good. I brought it into a local mechanic this morning so we shall see.

[jesse v]

So, I took the bike to a local mechanic. He said he took the brakes apart completely, and nothing was damaged. So he cleaned them up and put them back together. He explained to me that the wheel was rolling more freely now, but because my pads are nearly worn to the wear bars (which I already knew and was planning to replace them next spring), the brakes are still binding a little because the farther the pistons comes out, the hard it is for them to retract perfectly straight, causing the little bit of binding. But it's nothing to worry about, he said, it just needs new pads.

That information cost me $91 (2 hours of labor plus brake fluid).

When I got home, I put the bike on its stands, and binding is exactly the same as it was. I'm hoping he's right and that new pads are all I need.

[syntec4]

If the mechanic went to the trouble of stripping the calliper to check it, surely dropping in some new pads during re-assembly would have been sensible? Or have I read it wrong (It wouldn't be the first or last time ).

[concours]

Originally Posted by syntec4

If the mechanic went to the trouble of stripping the calliper to check it, surely dropping in some new pads during re-assembly would have been sensible? Or have I read it wrong (It wouldn't be the first or last time ).

+1 This is the TOO thrifty modus operendi

For $35 bucks, why wouldn't new pads have been installed? Were the caliper seals replaced? They can get old and harden, causing dragging.

[jesse v]

I don't know why he didn't throw new pads in. He didn't call me until he was done re-assembling. He said no seals were bad or anything. I'll just put new pads in myself and see if that makes the binding go away. Ugh, this mechanic ticked me off.

[jesse v]

Update (if anybody cares):

Finally got around to putting new pads in yesterday, and no difference in the rubbing issue. I'll try rebuilding the master cylinder next and see what happens.

[H96669]

Ah....maybe just the pressure relief hole inside the reservoir is plugged.That hole sure is tiny on some systems. You may be able to see it when you remove the cover. Then carefully pull/release the brake, you should see pressure coming out of the hole as you release the lever. Watch out, may splash up and shoot brake fluid where you don't want it, like your eyes or painted surfaces.

[wsmc831]

Too much fluid in the reservoir an also limit pads retraction.

[wmako]

Originally Posted by H96669

Ah....maybe just the pressure relief hole inside the reservoir is plugged.That hole sure is tiny on some systems. You may be able to see it when you remove the cover. Then carefully pull/release the brake, you should see pressure coming out of the hole as you release the lever. Watch out, may splash up and shoot brake fluid where you don't want it, like your eyes or painted surfaces.

If you open the bleeder screw and some fluid squirts out and/or the pads are no longer dragging, the the relief hole is the problem.

[H96669]

Originally Posted by wmako

If you open the bleeder screw and some fluid squirts out and/or the pads are no longer dragging, the the relief hole is the problem.

Yes but a plugged line will also do the same. As in falling apart internally and creating a one way valve.Been seeing a lot of that over this past year.

There are recommendations there and there as to replace them lines at about 6 yrs. New DOT regulations now reguire that all such pressure lines on vehicles be dated, little date band over the line. My new Spiegler's have such but not the OEMs on my bike, 2003...predates the new regulations.