new pads binding- too much fluid?

[Strand-wolf]

1100 GS with ABS, 26k miles:- standard BMW front pads changed out for some EBC HH ones from motorworks. Now they are so tight on the discs that it is difficult to rotate the wheel by hand.

They are fine riding but, when not braking, there is a clicking noise (maybe once per rotation, maybe not, cannot reproduce by hand rotation except by reversing direction) which seems to be because the pin holes on EBC's are oval.
No signs of disc warpage or other problem, forks/calipers were set straight by Premier Bikes a little while ago, everything was dandy until change out. Everything is clean and copperslipped, including the caliper body/backing plate sliding points.

Only thing I can think of is that the brake fluid has been topped up a while ago and maybe there isn't enough room left in the reservoir - but I can see a bubble in the sight glass and I was able to move the pistons back enough to get the thicker pads in.
(left the lid on the reservoir while fitting the pads)

Ideas?

 

[andy white]

Strand-wolf,
If there is a bubble in the resavoir then there wont be too much fluid, Other people on the board have said about the EBC pads rattling but apart from the noise they aren't a problem.

It is normal for the pads to still touch the disks when not braking, this will cause the hard to turn by hand thing.

other than that it sounds OK to me

 

[boxer]

Now they are so tight on the discs that it is difficult to rotate the wheel by hand.

Exactly how difficult?

I think the wheel should still be easily rotated by hand although the time it takes the wheel to stop should be much less than if the pads were not fitted. If you really do mean difficult as opposed to a little drag - which is normal - then that's not right.

Unless the discs are getting very hot when you drive I would agree with Andy that you don't have a problem.

The clicking could well be the the pads rattling on the pins because no spring is fitted on top of the pads.

Russ.

 

[Strand-wolf]

Thanks for info
How difficult? - too tight to move one handed, no free rotation whatsoever, even if I use my wellie on the tyre. Makes it harder to push the bike around.

I'm sure it shouldn't be this tight, I don't know if they get hot running but expect so, I just didn't check.

 

[MikeO]

That's too tight. The amount of fluid won't make it do this (the reservoir is exactly that - it feeds the hydraulic system as a 'reserve', so over filling will not cause the brakes to bind).

I'd suggest that you check (or have someone check) that the pistons in one or both of your calipers are not seized or sticking. If they are free, then check the pins which the pads slide on. They should beclean, smooth finished and well lubricated, so the pads can move freely on them.

Mike