martybabe
12th July 2009, 14:39
For those with the mechanical diagnosis gene missing, like me.
I had convinced myself I had a warped disc or two on my GSX1400, all the symptoms were there, pulsating lever, juddering braking action etc. Unlike my previous encounters with this malady on other bikes,the pulsating was accompanied by a clattery rattle noise, most annoying when slowing down for a junction, clack clack clack.
Anyway, I'd been putting off buying some new ones due to the difficulty in obtaining them and the price and not knowing if you're buying Chinese tin off the interweb, when quite randomly and for no justifiable reason I can think of, I gave the front wheel a hefty boot whilst walking round the garage feeling sorry for myself. To my surprise the clattery noise was evident and on further investigation and more booting,I discovered when I put pressure on the anti- screech plate on the right hand calliper, the noise stopped ?
One of the brake pads was actually free moving on the pin, unlike the other three which were held softly but firmly against the discs.Suspecting some of the 6 pistons were not moving in and or out freely, I removed the calliper, extended the pistons as far as I dared, cleaned them all up with brake cleaner and lubricated all the relevant parts with high temperature grease.
Road testing a while later, I was expecting the clatter to be improved but to my surprise, there was no clatter at all, in fact none of the previous symptoms were evident, no pulsing, no clatter, no judder. Result!
I've saved myself anywhere between $500 and $800 just by servicing the callipers. Now I'm not saying your discs or not warped all I'm saying, by way of a heads up, is that giving your Callipers a thorough sorting maybe a worthwhile venture before you lay out lots of money on very expensive replacement discs.
I hope this is of use to somebody somewhere sometime, all the best MB
I had convinced myself I had a warped disc or two on my GSX1400, all the symptoms were there, pulsating lever, juddering braking action etc. Unlike my previous encounters with this malady on other bikes,the pulsating was accompanied by a clattery rattle noise, most annoying when slowing down for a junction, clack clack clack.
Anyway, I'd been putting off buying some new ones due to the difficulty in obtaining them and the price and not knowing if you're buying Chinese tin off the interweb, when quite randomly and for no justifiable reason I can think of, I gave the front wheel a hefty boot whilst walking round the garage feeling sorry for myself. To my surprise the clattery noise was evident and on further investigation and more booting,I discovered when I put pressure on the anti- screech plate on the right hand calliper, the noise stopped ?
One of the brake pads was actually free moving on the pin, unlike the other three which were held softly but firmly against the discs.Suspecting some of the 6 pistons were not moving in and or out freely, I removed the calliper, extended the pistons as far as I dared, cleaned them all up with brake cleaner and lubricated all the relevant parts with high temperature grease.
Road testing a while later, I was expecting the clatter to be improved but to my surprise, there was no clatter at all, in fact none of the previous symptoms were evident, no pulsing, no clatter, no judder. Result!
I've saved myself anywhere between $500 and $800 just by servicing the callipers. Now I'm not saying your discs or not warped all I'm saying, by way of a heads up, is that giving your Callipers a thorough sorting maybe a worthwhile venture before you lay out lots of money on very expensive replacement discs.
I hope this is of use to somebody somewhere sometime, all the best MB