As per title, my 1150GS has been standing since last september, went to turn front wheel and it is very hard to turn. I'm assuming binding brakes but anyone else had this or found other causes? Cheers
John B
John B
Front wheel sticking
- Thread starter John B
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ThreeDawg
Registered user
Sometimes you have to remove the seals and clean out the grooves - somehow crap collects in there and causes the pistons to not retract properly.
The callipers are made of aluminium alloy. They corrode when exposed to water/oxygen/road salt. Corrosion (aluminium oxide) raises from the surface of the seal-groves and pushes the seals and creates pressure on pistons, hence they don't retract properly. Hook-shaped picks, fine steel-wool, scotchbrite, brake cleaner, and a bit of elbow-grease + patience is your friend. Take apart, clan out the groves, use rubber grease to reinstall.
When you are at it, may as well install some new seals as the rubber also perishes/swells with exposure to elements/oil. They are cheap. While other opinions may be available, I seldom had issues regardless of what brand of seals I used (OEM or otherwise). Bleed brakes properly and may as well renew the brake fluid while you are at it. (be careful if you have ABS, you may want to avoid introducing air in the system in the first place if you do).
Good luck.
Disclaimer: I don't own an oil-head but have done many brake calliper cleans and re-fits, living in Scotland. the above holds true for many makes/models. For example, my XRV has Nissin's made of what sometimes feel like aluminium-cheese compound
When you are at it, may as well install some new seals as the rubber also perishes/swells with exposure to elements/oil. They are cheap. While other opinions may be available, I seldom had issues regardless of what brand of seals I used (OEM or otherwise). Bleed brakes properly and may as well renew the brake fluid while you are at it. (be careful if you have ABS, you may want to avoid introducing air in the system in the first place if you do).
Good luck.
Disclaimer: I don't own an oil-head but have done many brake calliper cleans and re-fits, living in Scotland. the above holds true for many makes/models. For example, my XRV has Nissin's made of what sometimes feel like aluminium-cheese compound
It happened to my old 1100. Tiny bits of rubbers were evident in the old fluid.
Hi Chaps, thanks for the replys, all the hoses have been replaced with braided ones so I guess, along with what you have said, that the calipers need a good clean and pistons greased. Cheers, John B
John B
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