[PhantomK12LT]

My 2000 LT has been sitting for 11 months since I crashed it last year. Took it out for a spin last night and noticed that the rear brake seemed to be sticking. The rear brake caliper was very very hot also. I pulled up on the rear brake lever several times to make sure that the lever was not putting pressure on the master cylinder, but noting worked. Anyone have any ideas on what I should do?

 

[SilverBuffalo]

You should start by flushing and replacing your brake fluid,
chances are condensation has compromised it and possibly your brake caliper also,
if your mechanical I'd suggest you dissassemble and clean (the caliper)
If not start saving your $$ for the dealer.

 

[Frenchy]

Anyone have any ideas on what I should do?

Mine is doing that too. I flushed the caliper but that hasn't changed nothing. I'm guessing the rear master cylinder is shot...

 

[rattler50]

I had a new 05 Venture do this. The cup in the caliper was cocked and hanging up. It burned up a set of rear brakes fast! I took the cup out of the caliper and polished it. Worked fine from then on...............

 

[PhantomK12LT]

First off, thanks for the replies so far. Just wanted to update this situation from yesterday, and the situation just got worse. I went home, put the bike on the center stand and spun the rear wheel. The wheel spun freely, so I pushed the rear brake and it stoped the wheel, but would not release it. I pumped the rear brake peddle two or three times and then all of a sudden.."POP"... the brake line burst and brake fluid sprayed out all over everything. So I guess I will remove the caliper and take it apart and clean every thing real good, replace the brake line and try it again. Do they make brake caliper rebuild kits?

 

[SilverBuffalo]

Mine is doing that too. I flushed the caliper but that hasn't changed nothing. I'm guessing the rear master cylinder is shot...

If your bike sat for a year like his did
there's a good chance that condensation caused corrosion inside the alluminum caliper.
Flushing is a good place to start, removal and polishing is the next step.

I had a new 05 Venture do this. The cup in the caliper was cocked and hanging up. It burned up a set of rear brakes fast! I took the cup out of the caliper and polished it. Worked fine from then on...............

Sometimes caliper pucks get "cocked" from "improper" brake pad replacement procedures,
once they're "straigthened out they're fine.

Do they make brake caliper rebuild kits?

You'll have to check with your dealer for that, all it is is an O-ring and a seal,
sure sounds like your puck or cup is cocked or corroded.

 

[Frenchy]

sure sounds like your puck or cup is cocked or corroded.

Thanks SilverBuffalo for the enlighting reply, but I have no idea what you're taling about "puck" or "cup"

What is that, please ?

BTW : my bike is used daily. But I thought about the "condensation" thing that I had a ride the other day in a heavy rain. Could it be related ?

 

[SilverBuffalo]

Probably not
but brake fluid does "break down" over time and if it wasn't replaced "timely"
there could be corrosion inside the caliper.


The puck or cup is a round "piston" inside your caliper
that brake fluid pushed outward against the brake pads and rotor (disk)

when pressure on the fluid is "relaxed" the puck "retreats"
allowing your disk/wheel to roll free again.

if there's any binding (corrosion or cocked puck) the puck is not able to return and stays "engaged"
(dragging against disk) resulting in a overheating disk and caliper,
the heat in turn "aggravates" the condition by expansion of the metals and fluid.

 

[PhantomK12LT]

Thanks for the input.. I will be taking the system down this evening and see what I find. Updates to follow.

 

[Frenchy]

Thanks again for the explanation.

I know exactly what you are talking about now. The words buck/cup were not familiar. Pistons is.
I was able to push back the 4 with hands when I flushed the system.

As Phantom will do, I will dismount the system this week end and see..