The front brake lever won't go back as normal

[GZ250]

The front brake lever is working ok, I put the new brake pads yesterday but the problem that I am going to mention started before installing the new pads. The lever won't go back fast and so the brake lights remain on for a while. It takes like 10-15 second to move back and than i hear the click of the cut off button from the brakes. I think the piece that pushes the lever back (arrow in picture) is stuck. It needs replacement, lubing or did I put more oil.

Thanks as always for answers.

http://www.postimage.org/gx9oJ80.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx9oJ80)

Added later: Check the other post my me, where I say front brake lever - screwed up. i tried to change he brake fluid and ended up having no brake at all. :)

[Dupo]

Check the nut/bolt that holds the lever in place .. make sure its not too tight. I just had this problem on my shadow. Loosened the bolt up a hair and it works fine now. No clue how mine got overtightened.

[Dupo]

*edit* now the picture showed up for me ........ try loosening that screw that doubles as the pivot point.

[dannylightning]

i would try to spray a little bit of lube on the cables and see if that helps, i would check out the calipers if that and dupo's suggestion do not solve the problem. is the bike in the rain often. after i walshed the engine in my old truck the throttle was kind of sticking, i lubed up the cable and it was good as new..

[Easy Rider]

i would try to spray a little bit of lube on the cables and see if that helps,

No cable on the front brake...... :roll:

I think Dupo probably nailed it but .......I believe there is a spring behind that rubber boot. Alas, I have no idea how to access that to "lube" it. Pray that the pivot point is too tight !!

If that is not the problem and the shoes are not binding (stuck caliper) then it's probably time to flush and refill the brake fluid; hopefully that will free up the piston in the master cylinder.

[dannylightning]

i would try to spray a little bit of lube on the cables and see if that helps,

No cable on the front brake...... :roll:

damn i feel stupid :retard: after 20 some years of riding bmx the first thing that comes to mind when your breaks don't feel is lube the cable

[GZ250]

>>>>> I believe there is a spring behind that rubber boot. Alas, I have no idea how to access that to "lube" it.


I already removed the lever, cleaned the nut/bolt (that is visible in the picture) but it did not solve the problem. I also mean that rubber boot thing which Easy has mentioned. There must be a spring or something behind that which pushes the lever away or the brake fluid does that job.

If we cannot change or access the inside of rubber boot, probably the new brake fluid will do the job.

By the way how do we know that brake fluid is bad or need a change. I never changed or added the brake fluid since I bought the mc in 2005.

Thanks

[quote]>>>>> I believe there is a spring behind that rubber boot. Alas, I have no idea how to access that to "lube" it.


By the way how do we know that brake fluid is bad or need a change. I never changed or added the brake fluid since I bought the mc in 2005.

Thanks[/quote:197hfo17]


I'm sure others will weigh in on this, but changing the brake fluid is part of regular, preventative maintenance, i.e., you don't wait for a problem or a signal. Some say change it every year, others every couple of years, no matter what. By that standard you are past due.

Keith

[alantf]

Some say change it every year, other

In over forty years of riding/driving I have NEVER EVER changed brake fluid. NEVER EVER had a problem. Am I just lucky?

[mrlmd1]

On the parts fiche on here and Ron Ayers there is no spring behind the brake handle to push it out. The whole system is hydraulic. There is a piston/cup assembly in the master cylinder which looks like it has a spring in it. Possibly your problem is in there, but it's also possible your caliper may be stuck or sticking. Are your front brakes dragging after you squeeze and release the handle? If you can get the front wheel lifted off the ground, spin the wheel a little, apply and then release the front brake and see if it is grabbing by spinning the wheel again. If the handle doesn't release and the brake light stays on, then the brakes are probably grabbing and riding around like that is not good.
If this was happening before you replaced the pads then you can't blame squeezing the brake handle with no pads in it which will tighten up the calipers necessitating forcing them out apart again.
Did you check the site glass to see how much brake fluid is in the reservoir?
I think your brakes may not be releasing all the way when you let off the handle, maybe dirt in the brake, on the caliper or piston? Otherwise, if changing the fluid doesn't work, the problem may be inside your master cylinder. This needs to be fixed.

[Easy Rider]

In over forty years of riding/driving I have NEVER EVER changed brake fluid. NEVER EVER had a problem. Am I just lucky?

Maybe but I've had a LOT of vehicles over the years that I never messed with the brake fluid .....and didn't have any problems either. I have now decided to have the fluid " serviced" whenever the pads/shoes are replaced.

The old fluid will turn VERY dark but a routine changing on SOME schedule is probably best......even if it is every 5 years.

[Easy Rider]

On the parts fiche on here and Ron Ayers there is no spring behind the brake handle to push it out. The whole system is hydraulic. There is a piston/cup assembly in the master cylinder which looks like it has a spring in it.

Which is the spring I was referring to. The spring pushes the piston back which in turn pushes the lever.
Yes indeed it needs to be fixed. Might be an early warning sign of master cylinder failure !!

In over forty years of riding/driving I have NEVER EVER changed brake fluid. NEVER EVER had a problem. Am I just lucky?

Maybe but I've had a LOT of vehicles over the years that I never messed with the brake fluid .....and didn't have any problems either. I have now decided to have the fluid " serviced" whenever the pads/shoes are replaced.

The old fluid will turn VERY dark but a routine changing on SOME schedule is probably best......even if it is every 5 years.


What I was taught was that water can mix in with the brake fluid over time, which in turn could lead to real problems with how the brakes function, and the idea being, why take the chance -especially with your brakes, of all things? I'm not mechanically astute enough to explain the technicalities, but I know I've read that in several reputable sources and told that by my mechanic and others. Seems a relatively inexpensive thing to do, at least every 2 - 3 years, considering what's at risk, no?

Keith

[GZ250]

The brake fluid color was yellowish (new brake fluid is colorless) when i removed from the reservior. But ended up with another issue.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just a thought. Did you use the correct spec brake fluid ?? They do not mix and could be your problem.

[alantf]

Just a thought. Did you use the correct spec brake fluid ?

dot3 & dot4 will mix. It's just a difference in what operating temperatures they will take. Suzuki recommend dot4, which is the higher temperature, so I see no reason to not use this exclusively.

dot5, on the other hand is mineral based, & WILL NOT mix with dot3 or dot4. I believe that Harley is just about the only bike to use dot5. DO NOT USE DOT5 ON YOUR GZ!

(I'm assuming that the dot system is in use in America)

[dannylightning]

Just a thought. Did you use the correct spec brake fluid ?? They do not mix and could be your problem.

it does say you must only use the type of fluid it recommends.. i have always found that what ever it had in it origionally is the only thing you should ever use.

[GZ250]

I used Dot 4. after so much back and forth now i think either the problem is with the caliper assembly or up in the rubber boot that pushes the lever back.

[Water Warrior 2]

GZ250, don't take this as an insult but as a concern for your safety. You sound like you are in over your head and grasping at straws to fix the problem. Take the bike to a shop and have an experienced person fix it right. Do not ride there, the front brake is the most important part of the bike and a life saver if anything silly happens on the road. Explain what you did to the bike and let the shop reinstall the new brake shoes and get you back on the road safely.

[GZ250]

you are right, i got frustrated today as i had a appointment and i wanted to go on the bike and brake fixing was not going anywhere. Now i will have a fresh start on saturday and wont give up, if i have to open the caliper assembly i will do that also. if i take to the shop now or later they will anyway charge me for an hour or more so first i will do my best.

Thanks W Worrior - you judged my frustration :) will have something to tell tomorrow, may be something has gone bad in master cylinder or reservior.