G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » XBoard » Archive through October 10, 2010 » Grease for Brake Lever Pivot Pin « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Thump4fun
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

After a ride last month that took me down about 20 miles of gravel roads (thanks to my buddies "Garmin Gravel Finder" setting -- LOL) I found that my brake lever was very clunky. Stopping became very herky jerky and the lever was the opposite of smooth.

When I got home I washed the bike down and took the lever off. The dust from the gravel roads had gotten everywhere, including drying out whatever grease/oil was on the pivot pin. Cleaned up the pivot pin and the lever itself, then used some good old 3-in-1 oil. That put it back into smooth working order -- but only for a few days. Then the herky jerky came back.

Took it apart a second time and used some of my waterproof bicycle chain grease. This time it was smooth for a little longer, maybe 2 weeks, then back to herky jerky. I repeated this this past weekend and am now waiting for the herky jerky to return.

Obviously whatever they used at the factory was good enough to keep it smooth for 3 years and 12k miles. But I don't have a clue what to use myself.

Any thoughts on what oil or grease to use on that pivot pin to keep it smooth?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Terrys1980
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The pivot probably has grooves in it from the rocks. Try disassembling it and smoothing it out with some emery cloth.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Thump4fun
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I already checked that because I thought the same thing. Both the pin and hole it sits in are still baby smooth as far as I can by sight and touch.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Vospertw
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 06:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Service manual says anti-seize.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Aptbldr
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 07:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Coincidence? Maybe the "herky jerky" braking action is not due to a funky lever pivot.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Glitch
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 07:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dirty caliper
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Terrys1980
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 07:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

^Pistons could be sticking
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Glitch
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 08:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That's what she said
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Thump4fun
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I guess if I paid more attention to the words in the manual rather then just the pretty pictures, I may have actually read what Vospertw pointed out....anti-seize. DOH!!

I'll give that a shot tomorrow night.

Thanks!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tepiddeath
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would definitely give the pistons a good cleaning, you would be surprised how much it extends the life of the caliper if you clean the pistons at every oil or tire change, or both!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Thump4fun
Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 07:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is there any trick to cleaning the pistons / caliper?
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration