Brake Dragging

[cowboyup3371]

After putting the front wheel back on a couple of nights ago and tightening everything up to only hand tight (haven't torqued it yet), I'm hearing a light dragging sound coming from the right caliper. I know it is specifically that one because I took off both calipers and respun the wheel - no sound. Put the left one on and respun - no sound. Put only the right one on and respun and it's dragging.

I already did a search and found most of the articles saying there's nothing to worry about but I'm still not so sure. I also had a tough time getting that caliper back onto the rotor but it finally went after some coaxing. Will bleeding the front brakes fix that drag or do I have something else wrong? I know the piston for that one didn't engage although I can move the pads in with a screwdriver and get a little play. I will say the left piston fully engaged but I pushed it back out with a screwdriver and like I said no sound is coming from that side.

Thanks guys

[Big T]

It sounds to me like you have one or both of:

1. Crud build up behind piston is limiting movement
2. Piston seal needs replacing

Did you ever pop the piston out and see what was inside your caliper?

[cowboyup3371]

No not yet. On my list of things to do this winter when I rebuild the MCs and replace the lines. Will I experience issues with the dragging or is it normal like everyone says?

[Big T]

Yeah, dragging will cause your piston, caliper and disc to heat up

At best - warped rotor
At worst, boil your brake fluid and no brakes

As an temporary fix, I'd get new seals and pop out both pistons and see what you've got going on - old seal, rusted piston, 1/2 lb of gunk - and see if you can just clean it up, or if you should order a rebuild kit now. The seal is basically an O ring, so they're easy to change

You shouldn't ride with sketchy brakes, we'd be short a cowboy!

[Eli69]

brake lines can become clogged also.

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks all and to Steve for some other advice. I will do some work later this week (another storm came through here this afternoon) to narrow things down. I'll let you all know later.

[chuckycheese]

Drag

When you spin it, hard, with your hand, how long does it stay spinning?

[cowboyup3371]

Chucky,
Steve and I talked about that last night on the phone but I had a t-storm coming through and couldn't do any work at the time. I have a commitment tonight to attend to so I'll try to do that and a few other tips Steve suggested tomorrow evening or this weekend.

[chuckycheese]

What a drag!!

Chucky,
Steve and I talked about that last night on the phone but I had a t-storm coming through and couldn't do any work at the time. I have a commitment tonight to attend to so I'll try to do that and a few other tips Steve suggested tomorrow evening or this weekend.

What I was getting at in my first post is this: With disc brakes (also drum brakes) a very slight amount of drag is normal. Guys that work on brakes a lot call it a "hint of drag". However, it should be very slight and your tire should spin for a couple of seconds with a good, hand spin and the bike should be able to be pushed easily on a flat surface.

I've experienced it on every bike I've owned that had disc brakes, including a couple of new ones. I'd suggest you do whatever Steve suggested and make sure all is well. You certainly don't want a problem with your front brakes!

Good luck! All will be well!!

[Road_Clam]

After putting the front wheel back on a couple of nights ago and tightening everything up to only hand tight (haven't torqued it yet), I'm hearing a light dragging sound coming from the right caliper. I know it is specifically that one because I took off both calipers and respun the wheel - no sound. Put the left one on and respun - no sound. Put only the right one on and respun and it's dragging.

I already did a search and found most of the articles saying there's nothing to worry about but I'm still not so sure. I also had a tough time getting that caliper back onto the rotor but it finally went after some coaxing. Will bleeding the front brakes fix that drag or do I have something else wrong? I know the piston for that one didn't engage although I can move the pads in with a screwdriver and get a little play. I will say the left piston fully engaged but I pushed it back out with a screwdriver and like I said no sound is coming from that side.

Thanks guys

Been there myself many times. My old 1100E, a few old dirt bikes, and also my GSXR. Most of the time a locked caliper is residual moisture within the brake fluid has corroded the caliper piston bores causing the piston to bind. Most people don't realize not only does hydraulics place forces on the piston, but releasing the lever (in ideal world) places a small amount of vaccume forces which is supposed to withdraw the piston a small amount. Dissasemble your calipers, take some 220 grit emery and some oil and polish the bores, and you will be good to go.

[cowboyup3371]

Okay, I must have been stupid. I checked the brakes today, adjusted each caliper by tweaking each by hand a little and retightened them. There's no dragging sound now so I think maybe I didn't set them correctly.

I'm going to at least bleed everything, take them apart, and clean out the master cylinders. I then will replace the lines and refill the reservoirs with new fluid.

Thanks all for the help and sorry for the trouble.