cattmouch33 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 questions about troubleshooting brakes. I went for a ride yesterday and there is almost nothing to the front brake. It doesn't even feel engaged until 1/2" from the bar. Rear is solid and both reservoirs are full. pads still looks good on the front and I can't find any leaks. I didn't ride a lot last year( I think 3 times) would that cause an issue with the fluid in the lines. Would my 1st step be new fluid, then try new pads and lines? Should the rotors be changed at the same time as the pads?Sorry for all the questions, I was just a little unnerved yesterday when I felt almost no brake. Any help is appreciated, I actually have time to ride this year and I don't want my brakes to screw that up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 How old is the fluid? I would start there, probably collected some moisture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted May 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 new as of 2006, also even when trying to pump the lever it doesn't get any better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 (edited) Nevermind, I can't read. Edited May 21, 2013 by Tonik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I would try new fluid, that is some old stuff and fluid is cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 what kinda bike? bleed the front brakes, then bleed the MC. sounds like you have air in there, or a seal in the MC is bad. check the bleeder screws and banjo bolts too... brakes should not just lose pressure for no reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted May 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) I'll replace the fluid this weekend. I really hope it's just air in the lines. I think I might just get the SS lines and new levers I was planning on getting this summer now. 2005 zx6r Edited May 22, 2013 by cattmouch33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 I would guess mc is bad. If the reservoir is full and you havent opened it then it is unlikely any air got in. If there was air, pumping them up would give you brake feel temporarily. Maybe PO used wrong brake fluid and it damaged the seals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Replace fluid and bleed brakes. Don't forget to crack banjo bolts as air gets trapped in there and you can bleed for hours and not get any pedal/lever pressure. Ask me how i know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohdaho Posted May 24, 2013 Report Share Posted May 24, 2013 Holy shit that fluid is old. I've got OEM lines, brakes and rotors if you decide to replace yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted May 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Yeah so I should have done this a long time ago. this was the front after running through all the lines. I did it again after this to make sure everything was clean. I have brakes again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habi Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Wow, that's some nasty brake fluid you got there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawboss Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 (edited) Glad it worked out ok. Not sure if your bike has a hydraulic clutch, if so, change that fluid now too. Last time you changed the engine coolant? Edited May 27, 2013 by Strawboss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted May 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 Bout 2 yrs ago, just haven't ridden a lot since my son was born. Probably a good time to change the coolant. Oil was changed in march, That at least gets done on a schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted September 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 So, getting back to this. The master cylinder has a leak. I've got a rebuild kit coming along with HEL SS lines and PSR levers. Should arrive today and Hopefully riding again by the weekend. I assume taking apart the MC and putting it back together is just take pictures of where everything went and put it back the same way. Anything else need to be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 So couple of questions, yeah I know finally getting around to this, Clutch lever went in no problem. On the brake lever there are issues. I thought I was supposed to reuse the bushing from the old lever to the new one. Well the bushing doesn't fit at all. The pin screw that goes inside it does fit but that's it. Then the bushing with the pin hole in it doesn't fit at all. That's the issue with the lever and all part numbers match to what its supposed to be. The master cylinder rebuild kit apparently is for the rear. Yeah I know I should have looked closer. But I checked the order and it doesn't specify front or back. So I cleaned out the old MC and put everything back together. When I pull the lever it just stays down it doesn't pop back. Is this because there is no fluid in it the MC assembly does pop back when I have it off the bike. New SS rear line went on without a problem and bleed nice and easy. Any ideas. I really want to ride more this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSparky Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 the bushing with the acctuator is in the old lever, the shoulder pin screw I'm holding in the second pic. The bushing from the old lever will not fit in the new lever. The shouldern pin screw fits nicely though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted October 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) So I thought this time since I checked to make sure I ordered the right part I would be up and running.....nope. The master cylinder kit listed for the front and confirmed by dustin that should be right isn't even close. The bottom is the old and the top is the new, just the metal piece doesn't even fit without the spring. I tried cleaning everything again and reassembling. I get fluid through the lines but can't build pressure, confirms bad master. Looks like I need to find a whole replacement master now. on a good note I did confirm the lever is the way it should be minus the pin bushing not fitting. The other bushing doesn't transfer over. It fits but need brakes to work to test everything. Edited October 12, 2013 by cattmouch33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cattmouch33 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 (edited) so finally got the right part after the 3rd try and tried to bleed but no fluid is moving through just air. I'm getting bubbles though, I've borrowed brad's vaccuum bleeder to see if that will help. any other ideas the vaccuum pump from brad worked, I have brakes again. Apparently I should I known that I needed to bench bleed the new MC first. Now just waiting on the battery from Starkpower Edited October 21, 2013 by cattmouch33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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