Topic: Rebuilt Caliper Sticking Closed

[Hrvatski Medvjed]

CB500. I rebuilt the master and the caliper with a kit from cb360.com. I reinstalled with braided hoses from slingshot and bled the lines tonight. Problem is, the front brake is sticking closed now (its not backing off from the rotor). Any ideas?

Thanks!!

[tlbranth]

Sounds like the return hole in the master cylinder is blocked.

[Stev-o]

New brake pads?  If yes, does the new pad slide out easily??

[Hrvatski Medvjed]

Return hole is clear - even getting the little bubbles.

New pads are tight...is that the issue?

[mcswny]

Sand down the sides of the pads and make sure the pad moves freely in the caliper. It will press out, get stuck because it's width, and not return.

[blfellers]

So having said that I am having the same problem to but the pads move freely and I am getting the bubbles too.. What else would cause the caliper to stick closed

[mcswny]

So having said that I am having the same problem to but the pads move freely and I am getting the bubbles too.. What else would cause the caliper to stick closed

I'm sure there's much better people to answer this so they can definitely weigh in, but the three things that were causing my pads to stick were

1. Old pitted piston - REPLACED
2. Old rubber seal in caliper - REPLACED
3. Pads - SANDED DOWN

[Stev-o]

Return hole is clear - even getting the little bubbles.

New pads are tight...is that the issue?

Most likely. Use a wire wheel to remove the paint, they should slide in and out easily.

[Sami1987]

It is very important to set
The static pad to around 6
Thousanths from the rotor.
I just did mine. You may have
To find the sweet spot.

[Hrvatski Medvjed]

Excellent! Thanks for the tips, everyone. I will sand that SOB down and see what happens.

[mcswny]

Excellent! Thanks for the tips, everyone. I will sand that SOB down and see what happens.

While you're at it, definitely set the static pad. Check the manual for the distance, I thought it was .01"? I could be wrong though and for some reason the pdf of my manual that I have on my desktop lost half of it's pages. gremlins...

[Hrvatski Medvjed]

Will do! Is it possible that the piston is too tight? Or, is it more likely that the pad just needs to be "adjusted"

BTW: mcswny, you have a great avatar

[mcswny]

Will do! Is it possible that the piston is too tight? Or, is it more likely that the pad just needs to be "adjusted"

BTW: mcswny, you have a great avatar

I would start with the pads and go from there. You didn't replace the piston and seal did you?

Ha, thanks! Its a really great photo of me my friend took through his sunroof coming home from a fall camping trip in some INTENSE fog and rain last year.

[Hrvatski Medvjed]

Yes, New piston and seal too.

[mcswny]

Yes, New piston and seal too.

Hmm yeah go to town on the sides of your pad and let us know.

Here's actually lots of first hand accounts of pads being to big
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=137086.0

[calj737]

Static pad should be 6mm distance. New seal and piston: did you thoroughly clean the seal groove before install? That seal actually is the element that retracts the piston during brake cycles. Any chance you installed the piston backwards? It is probably the pads, but-

Just to confirm a few things...

[mcswny]

Static pad should be 6mm distance. New seal and piston: did you thoroughly clean the seal groove before install? That seal actually is the element that retracts the piston during brake cycles. Any chance you installed the piston backwards? It is probably the pads, but-

Just to confirm a few things...

I'm sorry, I don't want to argue with you, but 6mm from the rotor to the static pad seems crazy? The manual (or at least one I have) doesnt specify a distance but it does say a quarter turn past touching, and hondaman book says .01"...

Unless your referring to 6mm distance for something else pertaining to the static pad?

[calj737]

You're correct, I mistyped. I meant .6. That's for catching that!

[mcswny]

You're correct, I mistyped. I meant .6. That's for catching that!

ahhh, ok! neat, just wanted to double check.

[City Boy]

Hi.In addition to all the previously mentioned checks,you must make sure the caliper holder/pivot is moving freely.It can be dissassembled,cleaned,then greased.

[mcswny]

Hi.In addition to all the previously mentioned checks,you must make sure the caliper holder/pivot is moving freely.It can be dissassembled,cleaned,then greased.

Ohh thats a good one, I haven't done that. Next on my list!

[Hrvatski Medvjed]

Sanded off the black paint/powder coat from the brake pad and then reinstalled with a little grease...SUCCESS!! THE FRONT BRAKE NOW WORKS. Thanks, everyone!

[PeWe]

Sanded off the black paint/powder coat from the brake pad and then reinstalled with a little grease...SUCCESS!! THE FRONT BRAKE NOW WORKS. Thanks, everyone!

I need to check this on my bike too when it sometimes get a little bit stucked. I'll use copper paste which withstand high temperatures. Often used in brakes lubricating the pads metal parts.

[mcswny]

Sanded off the black paint/powder coat from the brake pad and then reinstalled with a little grease...SUCCESS!! THE FRONT BRAKE NOW WORKS. Thanks, everyone!

Great!

[Stev-o]

Sanded off the black paint/powder coat from the brake pad and then reinstalled with a little grease...SUCCESS!! THE FRONT BRAKE NOW WORKS. Thanks, everyone!

You doubted us??