Triumphrat

ST · 07-31-2005

Im experiencing spongy front and rear brakes, ive noticed if i gently pump the lever front or rear 2-3 times while braking hard the braking power is much better. Anyone else getting the same sensaation.
I noticed on the non abs demo ride i had the braking power was better.......

triumphite · 07-31-2005

ST,

Me thinks your the only one with one... :-D

rash_powder · 07-31-2005

i just had my 03 in for warranty work for the very same thing. they told me the crush washers between the banjo fittings were bad and very slowly leaking fluid out and air in. take a look at the first caliper the brake lines go to and look/feel for any amount of brake fluid.

just what i know,

rash

triomf-ST · 08-01-2005

Almost the same experience with the front brake (non ABS). Braking is OK but when left overnight its just more spongy. Or better it needs more lever movement. After squeezing the brake several times, it feels good and I don't have to pull the lever that far.

Mine has 2 steel lines going from the pump to the calipers, from new on. I noticed already after fitting that it was hard to bleed, even with 2 lines straight to the brakes. The original lines are replaced because of risers.
Its funny, because if you pull the lever, air will certainly not be bleeded. So air inside will not be the problem.

May be its something with the pistons in the brake calipers. To free the brake pads from the disk, they move just a little bit by the force of a rubber O-ring. Possible its moves just a bit more when left for a longer period. If the brake lever is in its "resting" position, the brake fluid can flow back to the reservoir. After that you have to pump it up again.

Have already seen about in a thread about bleeding etc.
A solution mentioned in that thread was:
Before parking the bike, pull the lever and hold it in that position by a rubber or so. Brake would stay OK.
BTW in that position, brake fluid cannot flow back to the reservoir.

So, for me its not a problem, but I don't know why the brake behaves like this

[ This message was edited by: triomf-ST on 2005-08-01 02:12 ]

ST · 08-01-2005

Normally if air is in the system you can bleed it out by applying pressure on the lever and using a cable tie to lock the brake on and leave it overnight.. this method 99% of the time will relieve tiny amounts of trapped air.......i have tried it on the st and its not made any differrence.
Its funny how our ssymptoms are the same though..

Its going in to my dealer in the next day or so to be checked over under warranty.

They use a pressurised bleeding tool so hopefully this may fart out the air in the system...... if thats what the problem is.

Apparently mine will be the first returned St with this problem.... i will update when concluded.

triomf-ST · 08-01-2005

Half a year ago or so a German magazine tested the St. They were complaining about the front brake, because during the test ride they had to pull the front brake more and more. They promised as soon as sorted out to write about.

ST · 08-03-2005

Sorted.. plugged into the computer which said no fault... but bled it anyway and a couple of bubbles stuck in the right front caliper and a tiny one at the back.

Better brakes now.Stops like it should do.

DaveM · 08-03-2005

My 04 has a spongy feel to it with 10,000kms on but they pull up fine.

davem

PIP1980 · 08-22-2005

My 3month old ABS Sprint has same prob. Breaks getting worse. Pumping lever a few times helps but not practical or safe. Think a phone call and trip to dealer is in order. One question, was the work done under warranty?

thfwsf · 08-22-2005

Sounds familiar to the pre-05 sprints too. I just had my brakes bled and it made a marked difference in the lever. Much better.

Then, just this weekend, I cleaned the calipers (front and back) and installed new EBC HH brake pads. Even more responsive now!! I can no longer give a big squeeze like I used to at times... The new pads have great grip. Almost enough to through me over the bars if I'm not watching it.