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Rear Brake Caliper
#306371 01/01/2009 12:14 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20
rossUK Offline OP
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Hi Guys.I have a 2005 america with a sticking rear caliper (it is almost impossible to push her backwards any more). Sorry if this is a silly question... but how do I get the rear caliper off and what do I look for when I get it off? I am not technically minded at all but I can't afford to take her to a shop just now. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.


Ross (05 black America) If at first you don't succeed, avoid skydiving.
Re: Rear Brake Caliper
rossUK #306372 01/01/2009 12:49 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
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Had the same problem with a Honda years ago. The "puck", or caliper piston was binding in the housing and not releasing when the lever was released. I removed the attachment bolts and wiggled the housing till I could get it off the disc, then used compressed air to pop the piston out of the housing. Then it got weird.

The piston with it's rubber piston ring looked fine, as did the housing. But, when I pried off the rubber ring, corrosion had built up in the bottom of the ring groove, forcing the rubber ring outward making it tight in the housing.

I carefully scraped out the corrosion, put everything back together, flushed and bled the system and all was fine.


University of Da Nang Class of '68 In the End, the Captain stands alone... " Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer
Re: Rear Brake Caliper
rossUK #306373 01/01/2009 3:38 PM
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Saddle Sore
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rear brake
Here's a link to a parts breakdown at Bike Bandit to show you what you're dealing with.

Even though these brakes are simple, if you aren't technically proficient you may want to leave it for a professional. They are the brakes, after all...

To lift the caliper off the disc just to examine it, you need to remove the 2 bolts (item #10) that hold it in place. The bolt that holds the line guide (item #12 behind the shock, on the swing arm) can be removed as well to give you more room to examine the caliper.

If you want to remove the pads, you need to loosen the 2 allen head pins (item #2) that hold them in place before you take the bolts out.
If your rear disc has a lot of miles on it, there will be a ridge around the outer edge of it which may give you some trouble sliding the caliper past it - especially if the pistons are stuck in the caliper.
If you have enough "gorilla" in you, you can grab the disc with your hands and press the caliper in with your thumbs.
It may give you enough clearance to get the caliper past the ridge....

What you find will determine how much more technical it has to get....


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Re: Rear Brake Caliper
Deon #306374 01/01/2009 6:28 PM
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rossUK Offline OP
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Thanks guys, will have a look tomorrow


Ross (05 black America) If at first you don't succeed, avoid skydiving.

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