Brake lever not springing back.

[Coyote]

Tried filling my buckets brake's with fluid. Only problem is the fluid isn't flowing through from the reservoir to the brake line and the lever doesn't spring back. Is the master cylinder buggered? Should I steal my 400's for the time being (want it going by this weekend)?

[FJRider]

Take the reservoir and lines(with lever) off and give them a good clean out.

[Coyote]

Take the reservoir and lines(with lever) off and give them a good clean out.
Will do. They do look like they need it.

I'm assuming CRC is what I should use? Is it OK getting it inside the brake line or best avoid doing that?

[FROSTY]

Will do. They do look like they need it.

I'm assuming CRC is what I should use? Is it OK getting it inside the brake line or best avoid doing that?
Dude please tell me that was a PT.
Do NOT use an oil based cleaner near ya brakes or you're up for a big bill replaceing fucked seals n stuff.
Before panicking --Have you tried cracking the banjo on the resevoir?
Dito the banjo down on the caliper.
Sometimes ya get a bllody great air bubble just sits there and it wont shift for love or money. Crack the joint and it starts to move again

[imdying]

What Frosty said... CRC is fatal on braking system components.

[boomer]

Did you make sure the return spring was in place...

[xwhatsit]

Did you make sure the return spring was in place...

Do disc brakes need that? I've got a drum, which needs a return spring, but don't hydraulic disc brakes do it by itself?

[Coyote]

Dude please tell me that was a PT.
Do NOT use an oil based cleaner near ya brakes or you're up for a big bill replaceing fucked seals n stuff.
Before panicking --Have you tried cracking the banjo on the resevoir?
Dito the banjo down on the caliper.
Sometimes ya get a bllody great air bubble just sits there and it wont shift for love or money. Crack the joint and it starts to move again
No it wasn't a PT. You're not born knowing everything.

Did try cracking both, but worth a shot again. What should I be cleaning it with?

Did you make sure the return spring was in place...
Since I haven't pulled it apart yet I was naturally assuming everything was still there.

[FJRider]

Will do. They do look like they need it.

I'm assuming CRC is what I should use? Is it OK getting it inside the brake line or best avoid doing that?

Compressed air thru (after you disconnect them) the lines usually cleans any shit out. The lever's piston often sticks if left unused for a while...They're simple to pull apart/put back together.

[FJRider]

Clean with CLEAN, DRY, SOFT, cloths...... NO cleaning fluids.
Compressed air gun at a servo station.

[Coyote]

Compressed air thru (after you disconnect them) the lines usually cleans any shit out. The lever's piston often sticks if left unused for a while...They're simple to pull apart/put back together.
Haven't got compressed air at home put I do at work. I'll take the line round tomorrow. The brakes haven't been used in a while, I'll pull them apart tonight.

[imdying]

Gotta go home now, but basically, you've got to prime the master cylinder, because it won't pump air (like how they pack an oil pump when assembling a motor). Bleed the master cylinder before hooking the hose up, then bleed the lines, then connect them to the calipers and bleed as per normal. Never found a bike I couldn't bleed.

[Coyote]

I'll use an old dish towel. Servo station is a bit of a walk away and it's wet. Guess it wouldn't hurt...

I remembered the one trick I was shown to fill up the calliper before putting it on the bike to make sure there's no air sitting in it. Makes sense to do it to the master cylinder.

[quallman1234]

Geeze man, your a bit like me. Make easy thing's look hard, Ask skunk or Glen about my mechanical skills. :laugh:. Im getting better tho.

[mouldy]

use brake clean its fine on seals etc , odds on master cylinder is full of gunk at the end of the piston travel , pull off banjo and try pushing it back with something otherwise stirp and clean

[Sully60]

Do disc brakes need that? I've got a drum, which needs a return spring, but don't hydraulic disc brakes do it by itself?

The return spring is in the master cylinder to return the piston to it's original position.

Coyote as well as all the suggestions above make sure the lever pivot point is in good condition i.e. no corrosion around the pivot or the pivot bolt. This and the return spring have the greatest bearing on whether or not the lever returns as it should.

[FROSTY]

Sorry dude I honestly thought ya was taking the piss :innocent:
As said before Clean brake fluid is your best (ok er most avalable /easiest) way to clean up the master cylinder

[lostinflyz]

had the same issue last night. bit of sanding on the lever pivot bolt and a grease on any friciton surfaces freed it up better than ever

U can check the master cylinder return by hand easily enough.

[quallman1234]

Is there pressure in the lines?

[Coyote]

Is there pressure in the lines?
Not yet. Realised I had homework to do instead. <_<

[koba]

Not yet. Realised I had homework to do instead. <_<

You do realise you have to bleed the air out of the brakes by pumping the fluid thu them aye....

Just asking coz as you say we aren't born knowing everything.

[Coyote]

You do realise you have to bleed the air out of the brakes by pumping the fluid thu them aye....

Just asking coz as you say we aren't born knowing everything.
Yeah, I know that one, cheeky bastard :p In fact I thought I knew everything since this is not the first time I've asked how to bleed brakes, but I always seem to not get the right result.

Got the whole day to do something. Should make a start. Ought to see if the engine is still going, likewise with the minimoto.

[sinfull]

Got the whole day to do something. Should make a start. Ought to see if the engine is still going, likewise with the minimoto.

Yep i'm a bit like that lol heaps of things to get done today but lost my round 2it a month ago ! Bikes been sitting in the shop since the day b4 i lost it too, lol hope the storage is free !