Brake calipers

[msbhav]

I have an 05 I bought new and the front brakes have always been weak. The mechanic always tells me "use your front brakes" and I always say "I would, if I had any"! Finally, they noticed the pistons aren't working correctly. Is this a common issue with these older gems?

 

[HansO]

I seem to recall the issue was raised on the .com site last year some time about the front brakes on some of the older models. They had a weak front brake with the lever comming back to the bar, not sure what the fix was but a question I ask is has your model got braided brake lines cos a lot of power can be lost in non braided lines, my 08 has them and I have no brakeing issues, another thing if your lever is not coming all the way back, is when the pads were last changed was the pistons cleaned before being pushed back in to the calipers for the new pads causeing the new pads to drag a bit and glazing them, seen that happen on a Honda a few years back JMTCW

 

[scot in exile]

Nothing wrong with the 05 model in fact it was the best year that the rocket was made, you are going to get umpteen what to do on this one from install ceramic discs to wear new boots but trust me on this one--- install new front pads and all will be well the pads may only look half worn but install the new ones.

 

[HansO]

Nothing wrong with the 05 model in fact it was the best year that the rocket was made, you are going to get umpteen what to do on this one from install ceramic discs to wear new boots but trust me on this one--- install new front pads and all will be well the pads may only look half worn but install the new ones.

probally find as I was in a long winded sort trying nto say they may just be Glazed

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Because the front master cylinder displaces very little fluid and because brake fluid is hydroscopic (attracts moisture), as the years progress, the fluid looses it's ability to provide what it's supposed to do and that is provide a stable medium to transmit the force applied by the brake lever to the caliper pistons. Add in a tiny amount of air and the braking ability diminishes.

Renewing the fluid, repacing the pads plus careful bleeding the brakes will improve the stopping power greatly. The R3 has excellent brakes, especially the double floating discs, but they must be maintained.

If you refer to the shop manual, I believe you'll find that Triumph recommends changing the fluid every 2 years. That includes a careful bleeding of the system as well.

I use a Mityvac vacuum bleeder and suck the brake fluid from the master cylinder on the handlebar through each bleeder valve on the respective calipers.

70% of the real time braking power are the front brakes.

 

[ewswartze]

not trying to hijack the thread but on a similiar issue --I was getting a loud screeching from the front pads so I removed them and scuffed the pad surface with emory cloth and all was well for about 200 miles. The screeching returned and I am assuming that is due to glazing?? The braking function seems fine but the screeching can be quite loud. Is pad replacement the only option or will a more thorough scuffing do the trick? The pads are 60%.

 

[atomsplitter]

+1 Flip.

Pads aren't so pricey as to be prohibitive. I put a new front set on in 09 and they were still 50% (I alsmost never use the back brake). If the pads are glazing then the material is overheated all the way through. It's a cheap bit of comfort and quieter to just change them out.

 

[HansO]

try lightly scuffing the rotors as well, when you glase the pads you also polish up the rotors, I'd use 800 wet and dry in a circular motion or cross hatch wich ever floats ya boat but not in the direction of rotation

 

[HellFire]

Squeal can come from dry metal to metal contact between the caliper pucks and brake pad backing plates. I'm not fond of the anti-squeal grease compound you smear on the plate and on some applications you can't fit an adhesive backed "rubber" pad between them. In those cases I apply a thick coat of enamel spray paint to the backing plate where they make contact with the piston.

 

[HansO]

Squeal can come from dry metal to metal contact between the caliper pucks and brake pad backing plates. I'm not fond of the anti-squeal grease compound you smear on the plate and on some applications you can't fit an adhesive backed "rubber" pad between them. In those cases I apply a thick coat of enamel spray paint to the backing plate where they make contact with the piston.

Good advice I knew we had you around here for somthing