Shooter Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 So I just replaced rear brake pads on my '01. I put on new Galfers. It was a pain to get the new pads in and seemed awfully tight. Once it was all assembled, there is noticeable dragging. Question is: Will it possibly clear up once they get broken in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted April 7, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 7, 2016 When the pads were installed, did the pistons push back in to the caliper smoothly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 Cogswell, Not smoothly. When I pushed the caliper in towards the disk to compress the pistons, it would not compress them all the way. Once I got the pads out I was able to compress them enough with a screwdriver (I was careful not to gouge or scratch the pistons) to squeeze the new pads in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Cogswell Posted April 7, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 7, 2016 If the fluid is old it might help to change it. If any of the pistons are corroded, sticky or dirty, it might require a rebuild to free them up. You could also try working them back and forth to help free them. Apply brake pressure, then work them back in repeatedly. Riding might do that, but will be hard on the pads and rotor if it's really dragging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer fink Posted April 7, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 7, 2016 Sounds as if you need to strip and clean the caliper if the pistons are not moving freely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted April 8, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 8, 2016 Too much brake fluid in the system? If you refilled recently (with the pads worn down) to the max, fitting new (thicker) pads, it will push the fluid upwards to a point perhaps where it creates pressure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzuki416 Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 Cogswell, Not smoothly. When I pushed the caliper in towards the disk to compress the pistons, it would not compress them all the way. Once I got the pads out I was able to compress them enough with a screwdriver (I was careful not to gouge or scratch the pistons) to squeeze the new pads in. As a tip, next time use a socket in the piston & lever on that... (if you use a socket that 'fits snugly' it makes it a lot easier) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 I replaced fluid and bled the entire system. It took a while, but got it done. When I had the rear caliper off, I noticed the rear wheel is hard to spin. Appears to have nothing to do with brakes. I'm not sure if this is normal. I don't remember it being this difficult to rotate. I put everything back together and took it for a spin. Rode fine, accelerated well, brakes worked great. Just seems odd that the rear wheel doesn't seem to spin very freely. Does this have anything to with it being a single sided swingarm and no axle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelman Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I replaced fluid and bled the entire system. It took a while, but got it done. When I had the rear caliper off, I noticed the rear wheel is hard to spin. Appears to have nothing to do with brakes. I'm not sure if this is normal. I don't remember it being this difficult to rotate. I put everything back together and took it for a spin. Rode fine, accelerated well, brakes worked great. Just seems odd that the rear wheel doesn't seem to spin very freely. Does this have anything to with it being a single sided swingarm and no axle? You need to be sure the sliding collar on the caliper is nor rusted and lubed and free to move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted April 9, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 9, 2016 say again? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I replaced fluid and bled the entire system. It took a while, but got it done. When I had the rear caliper off, I noticed the rear wheel is hard to spin. Appears to have nothing to do with brakes. I'm not sure if this is normal. I don't remember it being this difficult to rotate. I put everything back together and took it for a spin. Rode fine, accelerated well, brakes worked great. Just seems odd that the rear wheel doesn't seem to spin very freely. Does this have anything to with it being a single sided swingarm and no axle? Sounds like the wheel bearing. http://www.hondapartshouse.com/oemparts/a/hon/5053f5b3f870021c54be7bdb/rear-wheel A bad wheel bearing is common for the age of the bike but if you do not recall this problem before, do you remember hitting any nasty pot holes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 Nothing too bad. I've had the bike for about a year and a half. Had an 04 VTEC before this one. I just don't remember it being that tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonque Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 i had the same problem on my 5th gen after the first time I changed the pads. All 3 of my calipers needed rebuilds. I think the issue is the piston running against old pads for a long time will cause too much dirt an moisture to build up on the outside of the piston so it wont retract into the bore smoothly. You might be able to get away with using the brake pedal to push the pistons out a little further than the dirt line and clean them, but it will be real hard to clean the top part of the pistons. they sit really close to the caliper body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted April 12, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2016 You can try putting a strip of cloth behind the -pushed out a bit- piston, squirt brake cleaner and see-saw the cloth... Not as perfect as a complete strip, but better than nothing. On the claipers of a 4th gen, an old toothbrush also gets in some hard to reach places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Terry Posted April 12, 2016 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2016 You should be able to grab the very outer edge of the piston with pliers and gently rotate it to access those hard to clean surfaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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