[buck52]

Howdy

I took my 2002 ultra back to the dealer for the 500 mile checkup
with only one complaint...the front brake seems like it does not fully release....It does not drag enough to even generate heat but it make a very annoying noise...you know the sound...The dealer has told me that it is the most common complaint they here about these bikes. they say they have talked to Harley and tried a bunch of different things but no reliable fix...live with it essentially

Anyone else have any experiences with this

buck

 

[HIPPO]

All you can do is make sure the axle is spaced properly, ie the right fork leg flush with the hole in the axle and that the rotors have no runout.

Sometimes fully collapsing each caliper piston a couple of times and pumping it up again helps some.

The OEM pad material seems to be very prone to noise anyway and I prefer to run either Carbon Kevlar or Kevlar pads. Much quieter and have a better initial bite.

 

[buck52]

Howdy

Thanks for the info... The dealer said Harley changed in 2000 to this style of mounting
because it works/stops better. That may be true but at slower speeds the
noise of the pad rubbing the rotor is terrible...sounds like you need a brake job.
I've taken the brakes apart on many peoples cars to fix that kind of a noise.

Sorry to sound like a complainer but...$ 22,000 and I have to listen to that
My 25 year old Sporty stops great and the brakes don't make a sound.

I guess I'll try some better pads

thanks again for the info

buck

 

[HarleyJoel]

I prefer to run either Carbon Kevlar or Kevlar pads. Much quieter and have a better initial bite.

Thanks for the tip Hippo. I've been wondering how to get rid of the slight brake squeal I've developed on mine.

 

[wyodude]

Buck,

My RK did the same thing, just keep on riding it. The brakes will quite down in a couple thousand miles.

Regards,

wyo

 

[thomas_l]

The V&H slip-ons help the brake noise on my 01 RK

 

[Honkylips]

My 2002 FLSTFI does the same thing. When I first bought it, it had 1000 miles on it. I heard that noise on the way home and thought "wholy crap, this guy must of been hard on the brakes". Once i got home though, I saw the pads were practically new. The noise is annoying, hopefully it'll get better.

 

[rsed]

If any of you worked on cars you would notice that the front brakes also rub on cars. When you turn the wheels with the car on jack stands. The design on disc brakes are to just release the pressure off the calibers when the brake lever is released. There is no pressure to retract the pistons in to the bores of the caliber. Unlike drum brakes that have springs to pull the shoes away from the drum. Having the pads on a disc brake system lightly be in contact with the rotor gives a slightly faster response to braking sense the pads are making contact with the rotor. Where as the shoes on a drum brake system would have to move from a fully retracted position to make contact with the drum.
Just my thoughts and sense it does not seem to have any effect on cars I see no reason it should be a problem on bikes.

St. Louis Bob
2001 FLHTCUI Lux. Rich Red

 

[HIPPO]

There is no pressure to retract the pistons in to the bores of the caliber. Unlike drum brakes that have springs to pull the shoes away from the drum.

Depends how you phrase it, while there is no pressure to retract the pistons, the drag of the piston seals on the pistons is supposed to deform the seal to some extent and when the pressure is released they will retract the piston when they return to their natural shape. Since they can only develop minimal force this action gets degraded when they lose their elasticity due to wear or overheating or there is even a minimal restriction in fluid return. So, in a way they do have a very short stroke return spring.

 

[fcoxwell]

Brake rub

My 00 RK brakes rubbed, front and back. The dealer and a call to HD technical customer service got me the same reply-it's normal for that year bike. I just recently had the brakes bled and new pads put on by a different dealer and it doesn't do it anymore!

My 02 Ultra brakes don't rub.

 

[tx4wheeler]

My 02 FLHT front brakes do the same thing. Dealership said that it was normal on the 02 models and that it would quit after a few thousand miles

 

[srb8267]

My 02'FLHTCI does the same thing. The Dealer said it's normal. The noise did get a little better after 2500 miles...or maybe I got used to it. Turn the stereo up until you can't hear the brake rub.

 

[buck52]

The Dealer said it's normal

nothing "normal" about brakes that rub

My dealer tried to tell me that as well...they also said they had 10 acres
of swamp land for sale if I was interested

buck

 

[gboily]

My 02 FLHRI front brakes are also noisy. I have 2500 miles and it is still there. I notice that after washing my wheels and brakes the noise disappears for few days. It might be cause by dust build-up somewhere around the pads. I am guessing... For cleaning my wheels and brakes I spray S-100 cleaner , rinse with water and use compressed air to dry any trapped water.

 

[pasadenajim]

Brake squeal is a well-known behavior/side-effect/problem/downside/whatever associated with TC-88 bikes. NOT just touring models.

I saw a poll on a TC-88 group which asked what members did to stop the spueal/sound. Some of the answers were: learned to live with it, got new brake pads, put in ear plugs, ignore it. You get the idea.

I have noticed that the squeal in my 2000 FLHTC has dimished over time. Now, on Lisa's bike, 2002 FXDL, I still hear the squeal whenever she drives close to me.

Everyone agrees that the sound is pretty normal/typical.

 

[yzf996fxdwg]

10,000 miles on my RG always had rubbing (not squealing) sounds. Due for service so I guess I will try a different pad material.

 

[utrvp]

My 03 Electra Glide rubs too.

 

[brwk]

02 FLHTCUI 10,000 miles
Brake noise since day 1 plus a little squeel once in awhile. It's a Harley thing

 

[gboily]

The problem is the disk not the brake pad. My dealer solved the problem during my last visit...half of it. Let me explain. If you gently rub your hand on the disk you will feel the sharp edge on every hole drilled on the disk. During the machining of the disk the holes are not deburred. With a countersink tool or an oversize drill slightly cut the edge of the hole. I did mine on one side only. I will do the other side next time I change the tire because the disk as to be remove to work inside. The noise is now barely noticeable.
I have been told that the kevlar pads are hard on the disk. I prefer to change pads than the disk $$$$

 

[buck52]

Howdy

nice tip gboily

never thought of that and my dealer certainly never mentioned it

gonna try that this weekend.

4000 miles and the noise still drives me crazy

buck