GS 450 disc brake problem

[Guest]

Well, this is a little embarrassing, but I need some help. I went out on a 60 mile ride last Saturday. I noticed some rattling up front at the end of the ride and looked down to see my brake caliper hanging loose from the bottom bolt. The top bolt was gone altogether. I took the caliper off and visually checked everything and it looked ok. Nothing wrong with the hose, and pads looked ok etc. Bolted it back up and it drags, like it isn't fully releasing. Took it apart again and carefully positioned the flat sided inserts where the bolts thread into. It seems to work ok, but it still feels like it's binding up some. I need to figure it out since the weather here in Florida is finally fantastic and I want to ride, and stop, and not crash. Any advice?

[Charlie G]

Have you tried pulling the caliper off the forks, with lines still attached and pushing the piston in to give more clearence for the disc? I'm not an expert, but I just changed the front pads and the manual saind to push in the piston to allow for the increased thickness of the new pads. Maybe while it was loose you hit the front brake and the piston went out further than it should. Good luck.

cg

[BassCliff]

Hi,

You may just need to apply some brake grease to the caliper axles. At worst, it's not hard to disassemble, clean, and install a new caliper rebuilt kit. Make sure the piston is not pitted.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[pete]

Have you ever had it apart before? If not, pistons could have crud around them. I know when I pulled my caliper off I shuddered with the state of it, and I had no issues with it stopping me at all back then.

As Charlie said, if they've been able to come further out than normal, then some of that crud could've worked in behind them or something and not be allowing them to retract fully maybe? Just a thought anyways...

[olddaddy]

I plan to spend some quality time with the bike on Saturday and will report back. It sounds like a good cleaning, greasing and new pads are in order. I really hope that makes it well.....

[pete]

Good luck!

I recall my first time doing something good for my brakes... flushing the old cruddy fluid out of the system. Man the difference was amazing!

Hopefully it just needs a bit of GS lovin'...

[olddaddy]

I pulled the caliper off the bracket and cleaned everything really well. I greased the slide pins and put it all back together. Everything seems to work ok on a quick ride on my street. I plan to take it a bit farther tomorrow to check it out better. I ordered a brake hose and will do the fluid replacement when the hose arrives. Thanks for all the advice. I love the bike, and this forum makes owning it much easier from a maintenance and repair standpoint. Thanks guys!

[pete]

Good stuff, sounds like you're on a winner

This forum is awesome