Today's problem...Front Brakes

[mlutz9004]

So this morning I rode about 5 miles and had no issues, everything felt normal. This afternoon I moved the bike around campus a few times and the brake still felt normal. Then today around 5 I left to go run an errand and then go home, and I noticed my front brake didn't feel right at all. The lever is seemingly more stiff than usual, and the brake doesn't feel like it is grabbing as hard as usual until you really squeeze it hard. Any ideas what could be going on with it? I have never worked on the brakes before.

[Oracle]

Sounds like a seized piston in the caliper or possi le in the master. Try compressing the pistons back into the caliper and see if it goes back in. If it's seized it won't budge. Replace it. Same with the master.

[adidasguy]

Check your brake line. Follow it all the way. It could be pinched somewhere. That would account for no brakes and having to pull the lever really hard.
Been there - done that - after replacing a brake line and not routing it properly. Popped out of a clip and got squished around the steering column - no damage fortunately. Just made sure line was properly run - again.

[mlutz9004]

I checked the brake line, it all appears to be normal, I couldn't find any pinches anywhere. I am not really sure how to go about checking the caliper without taking it off? Is that what I have to do? And how would I check the master cylinder?

[mlutz9004]

Ok. My most recent update is that I took the caliper off and checked it. It is not seized. I was able to compress the piston. Then when I reassembled it, the brake handle was soft and pulled all the way in and then as I pumped it and the piston pushed the brake pads against the rotor and It got stiffer. So as far as I can tell everything is working the way it is supposed to. Also, as a side note the brake pads appear to have plenty of life left in them. However, it still feels a little off when squeezing the brake handle. Any other ideas? or am I just going crazy...

[burning1]

What year bike? If it's old enough, it might make sense just to do a complete overhaul.

[mlutz9004]

It's an 08 with about 5800 miles on it

[mlutz9004]

I am the fourth owner, and as far as I know and can tell the brake fluid has never been changed. Does anyone think that replacing the fluid and bleeding the brake may fix the problem? It almost feels like the pressure in the line isn't releasing, i.e. the more I pump the brake lever the harder it feels. Thoughts?

[runabout879]

Just experience with cars, if it's spongy, and pumping the brakes seems to build pressure up, then the master cylinder might be going bad. Just a thought.

[scratch]

Flush the brake fluid til it comes out clean.  Pump it to rebuild pressure.  Brake fluid should be flushed every other year.  Yours is an '08 so change it every even numbered year to make it easier to remember.

Mine acts the same way yours does.

[mlutz9004]

Just flushed and bleed the brake with new fluid. It seemingly fixed the problem, but I will see when I actually take it on a ride. Thanks for the advise.