Friday evening I was following Mama out to dinner. Just before we parked, the rear brake started squealing like a stuffed pig. After dinner, the brake was sounding off at almost every stop on the way home. When we got home, the brake was almost non-existent. I took a look at it Saturday morning, and it looked like the piston side pad was skewed in the caliper. I took it apart and couldnt find anything stuck between the pad and the caliper. Put it back together and had the same stuff. Brake pedal goes to the stop, and the pads are barely making contact with the rotor. Release the brake and the skewed pad would push the piston back into the caliper, essentially negating the throw of the piston.

I've checked the pads with a straight edge and there's plenty of meat on them. The caliper looks good and functions properly. Rotor is true, no runout. Pins are lubed and straight.

Has anyone run across this problem before? I suspect leading edge warpage in the caliper, but I cant remember ever running across this before. I'm ready to call the dealer and have them pick the bike up. Its still under warranty, and hopefully, the warranty will cover it.

Specs on the bike in my sig, and its got 3000 miles on it

 

You didn't mention checking the fluid level in the master cylinder.
Wouldn't explain the noise, but could explain the pedal going to the stop.

 

Definitely check your fluids. I had a similar issue on my Road King a few months ago. The symptoms are what you describe. The cause, however, was a missing pin in the caliper. The guys at the dealership, said they'd never seen that happen before. And unlike most, I have a great relationship with my local dealer.

Before I could get it to the shop, I had actually lost the pads and everything.

 

That was one of the first things I checked, right down to changing the fluid out and vacuum bleeding the system. thanks for asking though

 

Sounds like what have happened was riding with a foot against the brake pedal appling slight pressure now brake issues?

 

Hoss, that could be an issue. Her riding style is similar to mine, and her parking structure at work requires dragging the rear. But thats only once in the morning. the only other times I've seen her do it was in low speed manuevers. It wouldnt surprise me if its heat related.

 

The only reason I happen to know that was because it happened to me,was riding with my feet up on the hiway pegs,my heel was ever so slightly touching the rear brake,after a few miles my buddy comes up and said there was something wrong with my brake light,then it dawned on me,brakes were super hot,rotor discolored,brakes made noise the rest of the afternoon,they are ok now,but boy I felt dumb!

 

Been there, done that on my dyna.

Since I've got a little time before the dealer comes to get it, I think I'll pull the caliper again and mic the caliper and pads. I'm obviously overlooking something, just dont know what it is.

 

My 06 1200C squeals all so . Even when pushing bike in the shed like its draging. I was thinking rear wheel alinement. My belt rides outer lip of sprocket. Havn't mesured it yet.

 

Carlo, that thought crossed my mind, and I havent ruled it out yet. When I took it out Saturday to see what was happening back there, I didnt feel any of the "pull" associated with a wheel out of line.

When I put the bike away earlier in the week, it did feel like something was dragging. Didnt think much of it. Tapped the brake pedal and the resistance went away. Mama hasnt mentioned anything about problems until Friday when this happened.

I also havent ruled out the fact there could be something else going on that she hasnt told me. Y'all know how women are. Put gas in it and go, then when it breaks, its "It never did that before"

To all the ladies out there, go ahead and rip me a new one for those statements. Or laugh along with me.