How do I get the front caliper to stop sticking?

Hey guys, on my Spectre my left front caliper is sticking and is hard to turn the tire. I noticed there was a mark from the brake pad left on the rotor. How can I fix it? Do I need a rebuild kit for it?

I would start by flushing out the brake system with fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid. Ed

Look inside the master cylinder reservoir, there should be two (2) small holes in the bottom. If one or more is plugged, the piston will not retract, causing the brake caliper piston to drag.

A wooden toothpick will work to open up the clogged hole(s). Probably a good idea to replace the brake fluid too, as it's Hydroscopic(absorbs moisture from the air)theat can contaminate the brake fluid.

Yeah its the right one, when I ride it for a while itll open up a little more and still works. But when it sits over night it will close on it tighter. I will open up the res and put some new fluid in it.

Just adding fluid isn't really the solution. When was the last time the brake fluid was changed? Ed

Yeah I meant change the fluid. Changed it in last august but didnt check to see if those holes were clogged or not

You will need to pull the caliper & clean it out. Just as well do both so order two caliper kits & take them apart & clean. Brake fluid gets behind the oring in the caliper & gets hard and starts to push the oring in causing the caliper piston to hang up. Scrape all of the crusties out of the caliper before installing the new oring in the caliper body.

Sometimes the caliper is binding on the float pins which makes the pad drag on the disc.... guess how I know that. You have to get some caliper grease and relube the pins and then it will float smoothly.

Just do yourself a favor and clean the MC. I thought mine was fine...


Felt much better afterwards...


You should tear into the calipers also. Take it off the motorcycle and keep squeezing the brake lever until it pops out. The piston may be pitted with rust from moisture collecting in there. You should be able to get very fine sand paper to get rid of some pitting. If theres too much rust just buy yourself some insurance and get new pistons.

V/R

Kev