Title: rear brake dragging?
Post by: supercrisp on June 17, 2005, 08:16:21 AM
Post by: supercrisp on June 17, 2005, 08:16:21 AM
When I ride my GS500, I hear a dragging sound from the rear brake. It sounds like it's dragging along on the disc. It's not a metallic sound, just sounds like the pad is dragging. How do I adjust the brake pads, or is there another likely problem?
By the way, Used to post here under another name, can't remember it: I'm the guy in Iowa City, Iowa with a '94 GS500e that I've been putting a lot of miles on commuting to grad classes.
By the way, Used to post here under another name, can't remember it: I'm the guy in Iowa City, Iowa with a '94 GS500e that I've been putting a lot of miles on commuting to grad classes.
Title: rear brake dragging?
Post by: 94suzuki500 on June 17, 2005, 09:28:05 AM
Post by: 94suzuki500 on June 17, 2005, 09:28:05 AM
as long as it isnt actually acting like the brake is applied then it is normal. the pad is "kissing" the rotor. Check to see if your pad is still good and has actual brake pad left, because it could be loud without any. Just pull the plastic cap off the top of tha caliper and look down and you can see from there.
Title: rear brake dragging?
Post by: supercrisp on June 17, 2005, 11:19:20 AM
Post by: supercrisp on June 17, 2005, 11:19:20 AM
Okay, I'm going to go ahead and ask about this to be sure. In the photo at the URL below, does it look like I have pad left? It doesn't to me, but I've never eyeballed this part of my bike before. (I can work on my truck, but I've never worked on a bike prior to this one. I have put in new progressive springs and that's about it though.)
http://myweb.uiowa.edu/craig/images/calipers.jpg
http://myweb.uiowa.edu/craig/images/calipers.jpg
Title: rear brake dragging?
Post by: Kerry on June 17, 2005, 12:07:32 PM
Post by: Kerry on June 17, 2005, 12:07:32 PM
Quote from: supercrispdoes it look like I have pad left?The picture is a little too small to tell, and the angle isn't the best. You need to get right over the "hole" and look DOWN at the pad material.
For an example, go about 2/3 of the way down this FAQ page. If your pads have (a) groove(s) in them you're probably fine. How long you will continue to be fine depends on the depth of the groove.
Title: sqeezing those pistons back?
Post by: supercrisp on June 17, 2005, 03:46:05 PM
Post by: supercrisp on June 17, 2005, 03:46:05 PM
Well, I had to get new pads. I am installing them using the guide pointed out here and with a Clymers manual. And I am having a hard time getting the pistons moved back far enough to fit the new pads in. Clymers doesn't mention any adjustment to make, nor does the other guide. But I'm using a big screw driver to pry between the two old pads installed in the caliper, and I'm still not able to get those pistons to move back far enough.
Nothing looks seized. I can make the pistons move with the brake lever, and I can them move them far enough back to fit the old pads, but not the new ones. Is there something I'm missing here?
I really appreciate the help you guys are giving me. I can't afford to pay for the shop now. Heck, at almost $30 the pads were stretching my budget!
Nothing looks seized. I can make the pistons move with the brake lever, and I can them move them far enough back to fit the old pads, but not the new ones. Is there something I'm missing here?
I really appreciate the help you guys are giving me. I can't afford to pay for the shop now. Heck, at almost $30 the pads were stretching my budget!
Title: rear brake dragging?
Post by: weaselnoze on June 17, 2005, 09:29:02 PM
Post by: weaselnoze on June 17, 2005, 09:29:02 PM
Quote from: KerryFor an example, go about 2/3 of the way down this FAQ page. If your pads have (a) groove(s) in them you're probably fine. How long you will continue to be fine depends on the depth of the groove.
but the groove's main purpose isnt to show wear right? its to let out gasses that build up. am i just talking out of my ass here?
Title: Re: sqeezing those pistons back?
Post by: Kerry on June 17, 2005, 11:04:21 PM
Post by: Kerry on June 17, 2005, 11:04:21 PM
Quote from: supercrispI am having a hard time getting the pistons moved back far enough to fit the new pads in. Clymers doesn't mention any adjustment to make, nor does the other guide. But I'm using a big screw driver to pry between the two old pads installed in the caliper, and I'm still not able to get those pistons to move back far enough.That's pretty much what I did, only I used one of the old brake pads in place of the screwdriver. Maybe the exposed part of the pistons needs to be thoroughly cleaned (because of build up from road crud or brake dust or whatever)?
[...]
I can them move them far enough back to fit the old pads, but not the new ones. Is there something I'm missing here?
Quote from: weaselnozebut the groove's main purpose isnt to show wear right? its to let out gasses that build up.Soooo.... If that's the real reason for the groove, then when the groove is gone the gases can't escape ... and it's time to replace your pads, right? :roll:
But that can't be the whole story. At least I hope not, because of the groove-less Galfer Black pads that I have on the front right now (on the right in the picture):
Title: All done!
Post by: supercrisp on June 18, 2005, 02:32:12 PM
Post by: supercrisp on June 18, 2005, 02:32:12 PM
Getting the pads in was a pain. I ended up taking the caliper off and using c-clamps with some aluminum stock to press the pistons in--after cleaning them off. Now I just have to break the pads in over the next week. Thanks for the help guys.