Triumphrat

kittonian

I bought my T-Bird Storm back in June of 2012 and the rear brake scraping noise has gotten worse and worse. I don't even need to apply the rear brake in order to hear it scraping every time the wheel turns.

I asked my dealer about this and was told that since it's a floating system it's perfectly normal but I can't believe that this is really the case. It is so loud that even when I'm over 20 MPH I can hear the flutter of the scrape.

The dealer shaved both the front and rear brakes under warranty so that the squeaking noise was greatly reduced, but this scraping noise just seems wrong.

As I don't personally own a lift I have to take the bike to the dealer in order to have it repaired, but since they won't admit that it's a problem, I wonder what exactly I can do to resolve the issue.

__________________
President - AMRC of Los Angeles
http://www.amrcla.com
http://www.facebook.com/amrcla

b1rdman

kittonian,
You may not need to lift the rear to troubleshoot your problem. If you can take off the left muffler it will help. Use a pair of pliers or a big screwdriver for a lever and pry on the caliper to reseat the piston in the caliper. If you get it in the right place it shouldn't take much force. It can be done without schratching or gouging any parts. If you can do it the sound should have changed when you roll it around the garage. Now step on the brake pedal and compare the sound again.
If that doesn't work for you take it back to another dealer. Lift it, spin the front and the rear, they should sound the same. Work the brakes while it's lifted and see how the noise changes.

slotter32

When it comes to rear brake pad replacement does the rear wheel have to be removed or can the wheel be left in place, the caliper removed, pads changed out and caliper refitted?

b1rdman

The pads can be replaced without removing the rear wheel or the caliper. Their is very little room to work doing it that way and it was a real PITA. After you pull the retaining pin and compress the piston the pads will come out. I had a lot of trouble getting everything lined up to get the retaining pin back in position.
The caliper/carrier cannot be removed unless you remove the axle and probably the wheel too because of the limited space.

Altheophilus

Just had mine changed at 11700Km but they were over worn. Came to my notice when I got a noise from the brake the other day when I used it. I will be keeping a closer watch from here and trying to use my fronts more.
Cheers
Alex