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Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoothly
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:55 am
by iceman
Hi, my bike just passed it's MOT a few days ago (2nd one, 2nd clean pass) but truth be told, my front brake lever is not operating as smoothly as it used to, and harder to press.
Is there a good way to check if it's the pistons or cabling at fault? (last time I changed the pads it was quite hard to get the all the pitons recessed enough to fit them), so reluctant to take the assembly off and try that again, but probably have to in the end.
I may need to order replacement pistons and bits (seals) to get smooth operation back. Can these parts be changed without draining the brake systems?
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:12 pm
by Cube
I'm only a shade tree mechanic, but my first thought is that you need to bleed and flush the front brake system - that there's either water absorbed in the brake fluid or an air bubble somewhere. No system disassembly required beyond opening the reservoir and there are plenty of how-tos online. Homie likely has one - I'm curious what he'll have to say about this.
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:32 pm
by you you
First step would would be to take the lever out and grease the pivot
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:50 pm
by gn2
More likely to be the caliper sticking than the pistons.
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:23 pm
by Cube
so options so far are:
contaminated fluid (me)
lever stiction (you you)
caliper pin stiction (gn2)
all viable options, anyone want to break the tie?
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:07 am
by relic
I'll go with you you and vote for a sticky lever
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:35 am
by you you
relic wrote:I'll go with you you and vote for a sticky lever
Its definitely the easiest to check and rule out. Woudnt take much longer than a post on here
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:13 am
by gn2
Cube wrote:so options so far are:
contaminated fluid (me)
lever stiction (you you)
caliper pin stiction (gn2)
all viable options, anyone want to break the tie?
Mine isn't just the pins, its also corrosion under the shims at the mating surfaces.
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:00 am
by fish
Cube wrote:so options so far are:
contaminated fluid (me)
lever stiction (you you)
caliper pin stiction (gn2)
all viable options, anyone want to break the tie?
Not to alarm, but.....
Weakening strength in the extremities is one of the first signs of S. American Bat Flu. Have you been to Paraguay, or Tucson, recently? And, has one of your ears gone missing?
Fish
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:49 am
by springer1
Not to alarm, but.....
Oh sure, another BS post just to malign innocent Bats.
I vote to clean & lube the lever and if that doesn't work then goto the Dr. for a checkup. If that doesn't show some mutant combo avian-animal Flu cause, then onto the hydraulics starting with a simple bleed (Brake - not Bat or Scoot Owner).
Re: Front brake lever - getting a little hard to press smoot
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 4:17 am
by iceman
Well, after a few weeks of noticeable 'strangeness', the past few days it seems fine again. Maybe a sign of grime and the past week being really nice weather and less muck being thrown up from the roads. My poor bikes engine area and wheel areas are so dirty due to the dirty roads and almost daily rain - not easy to keep bikes clean here.