Back brake failure

[MIKE R]

On Sunday last had a good day charging around the 'dales. As I came to the motorway slip road on my way home, I suddenly found out that I had no back brake. The leaver just went down and down. I stopped on the front at the crossroads and pumped the rear brake which appeared to return. Riding down a quiet road I decided to try the rear which initially seemed to work, then released like an exagerated abs system, followed by a loud BANG. I carefully tried the brake again to be met with a grinding noise. Fortunately I was only half a mile from home.

The following day, I removed the rear caliper to discover that the brake lining on the inside pad had totally vanished....not worn out but gone. No residue lining, no sratches on the metal base except at the very top where I had carefully tried the brake for the last time, but plenty of rust on the plate and a hole where the pad had been fixed in. I have shown the pads to 4 different mechanics and they agree it has failed...there was still an eighth of an inch of lining on the other pad.

The bikes in for some work at Rainbow next week so they are going to check the disc and braking system.

Anyone else encountered anything like this?

Mike R

 

[Ming]

Yes !

but a long time ago ao an RS 100 the rear shoes (EBC)

had the nice effect of locking the rear wheel.

 

[andy white]

The rear pads can get a hammering on the 1100/50GS's, I had nearly worn mine down to the backing plates when Rainbow checked them for a MOT. Sometimes pads that are worn can break up and the linings fall out of the caliper leaving you with no brake I have a peek at the state of mine when i wash my bike now

 

[pragmatix]

Happened to me on an XJ 550 but I lost a front pad, that was interesting stop to say the least, pads were Ferado and I have had a shoe come unbonded on the Landy, that was a Mintex.

Pete A

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Back brake R1100GS

Bought my R1100GS 3 weeks ago and checked the brakes etc when doing the deal. 3 Days later stepped onto the back brake hearing the all familiar grinding noise of the disc. Stopped and the whole brake lining has gone from the brakepad

It was there the one moment and gone the next. Went home riding only on my front brakes and replaced the pads the next day.

Hope this does not happen to often else will have to add them on the "possible spares you may need list"

 

[Vern]

I know a bloke on an R1100RS, coming down hill to a roundabout, hung on the front brake, and nothing. Good job the roundabout was there to stop him, over £2k damage to bike, can't remember what happened to him.
This is beggining to sound familiar don't you think!
I never use my bake brake (except U turns) if you're braking that hard, your back wheel is off the ground anyway, so you're only braking against the engine (que corrective riding guru's)

 

[Rob Farmer]

Mike,

I had the same thing with my Standard pads; I lost a lining on the rear and had a front start to break up. I swapped to EBC HH on the Front and started to use the rear a lot less (couldn't get EBC's for the rear) and have had no problems since. The EBC's give better braking, are kinder to the disks and produce far less dust. The only downside is that they rattle.

 

[fcaeiro]

Hi
i had exactly the same problem on my 2001 gs1150,

5000kms and the pad simple jumped from the back brake.

The bike was on warranty and i was more than 1000kms from home, so i did that 1000kms with no pad on the rear brake....

I wiped it out my rear disk, but bmw as assumed the fault on the rear pad and replaced the pads and a new disc...

If you saw both pads the inside pad (the one i lost) is bigger than the outside they say that can erased on 5000kms on eavy work....

 

[Strangelove]

My OE outside rear pad disappeared at just under 5000 miles. I fitted EBC pads but had to file off about 1mm off the base of the outside one (the metal bit) to allow it to fit into the top of the assembly, not a big job. I've been keeping an eye on the rear pads as I'm coming up to 12000 miles and again the outside looks like it's on the way out. Front pads still ok though!

 

[andrew taylor]

My original pads also failed at about 5k, the inside pad fell apart but the uotside one seemed ok. They were replaced under warranty, but recently part of the inside pad has fallen away again. I've replaced them with Ferodo pads which I hope will last better.
The lifespan of the things doesn't really bother me, but they shouldn't fall apart !
Why does this happen?