[photocodo]

Well, at first I thought that my master cylinder was leaking, and I still think it is (a little) but I was focusing on that so much that I forgot to look down. I just noticed that it is actually the caliper that is leaking the most. I am losing brake fluid from it and cant tell exactly where it is coming from because it is all pretty wet down there. What do you guys suggest. is it easy to rebuild? or should I get a new caliper? Are there any quick fixes to this problem? If rebuilding is suggested, where is a good place to get a kit? TIA



cody

 

[photocodo]

There is no fluid on the brake pads but its all over the bottom of the caliper. About 2 months ago the brakes started getting kind of mushy, I thought it was just air and didnt think much about it. Eventually the lever would just pull right back to the grip with little to no resistance, when I checked the reservoir it was empty. I put some fluid into the reservoir up to the fill line and let it sit over night. The next morning the lever was nice and firm and stopped like a charm. Then after a few weeks, started feeling mushy again and in no time there was no resistance...again. So I have just been refilling the reservoir which has been working for now, but I cant just keep dumping fluid in. I thought it might be the master cylinder at first but I didnt find any leakage there, it was a little moist however. But when I bent down and checked the caliper, there was fluid all over the bottom of it. The bleed nipple and the banjo bolt are both dry so I dont think it is that. It looks the most wet directly at the bottom of the caliper so Im thinking that it needs to be rebuilt. I would take a picture but I dont have my camera with me right now but as soon as I get it I will put one up.



cody

 

[photocodo]

check your brake line near the caliper - is it wet with fluid - it could be leaking down the line on the outside - then finding its way to the bottom of the caliper...

wipe the whole brake line over - try and find if it is wet along some part of its length.



IF the master cylinder is leaking -I would suspect it from what you have mentioned - is it leaking around the banjo bolt or around the bottom of the reservoir? I presume you have a plastic reservoir ?



You might be real lucky if the brake fluid has not contaminated the pads -

When I said earlier that the pads were dry, I was thinking in my head "Rotor" not "Pads". The rotor does not appear to have any oil on it, however I have not taken the pads out to check. I assume that the pads are dry because the rotors appears dry but I should look at that to figure out for sure. I checked the line again and I cannot see anywhere that there is oil on it, but Im going to wipe everything down real good and then see what happens. I already ordered a rebuild kit for the caliper that should be here in a day or two so I will have it on hand if I need it.

My master cylinder is the metal one, the whole unit is molded together and the lever attaches to it. I will double check the banjo bold on the MC too just to double check. I feel like I just need to cover all my bases on this one.



Thanks for everything



cody

 

[photocodo]

Yeah, I figured that I have the rebuild kit coming so I may as well use it. Ive been looking at steel braided lines so as soon as I can afford that I will order it. I have not checked the crush washers but when I take the caliper off to rebuild it I will check them out and see if there is any damage to them, or just replace them all together. Can you pick those up at an auto parts store (Advanced Auto, Auto Zone etc.)?

Now I just need to put some higher weight oil in my forks and I should be good to go (as far as safety issues go anyway). They almost bottom out when I sit on the bike and it makes it pretty unstable, and VERY unstable at slower speeds.



Cody