Rubbing brake pads

Discussion in '8th Generation 2014-Present' started by U656, Jun 24, 2026 at 6:29 AM.

  1. U656

    U656 New Member

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    Front brake pads rubbing against the disc to the point if u ride and not use front brake it gets very hot to the touch. When on centre stand there is no free spin the wheel just stops when u stop spinning it by hand

    Changed brake fluid. Went to 5.1 then back to 4 now.
    No air bubbles, lever feels good.
    Discs are straight.
    Aftermarket levers doesn't interfere.
    Changed seals 2 months ago. (Seals only, they have been placed correctly lubed in the correct piston size, altough maybe a too much lube))
    Cracked the bleed nipple nothing changes.
    Return port clear.
    EBC brake pads. (Tried with backplate and without same thing)
    Just went out to check the pistons i cleaned and applied a tiny bit of rubber grease to try to improve the movements. (Nothing changed)
    Spring pad are correctly installed, pad hangers are fine and both are correctly lubed.


    Whats left to do, is to try to do that fork alignment. Both sides behave the same, bikes left side very slightly less bite.
    Maybe I used a bit too much rubber grease when installing the seals.
    Thinking about just getting oem brake pads as current EBC one are used still plenty of life though

    Any advice? Or just take the wallet hit and get the seal kit and stainless pistons kit? £££££ expensive rather not.

    So after writing, this post probably goimg to be pointless as not much advice can be given i guess apart to spend money on new pistons and seals. Worth a try to see if anyone can give advice it.

    Rear, is okay
     


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  2. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Some good diagnostic info there. When you crack the nipples nothing changes so you know hydraulic pressure is not the problem and replacing pads, flushing fluids etc is not going to help.

    Your root cause seems to be excessive binding between the seals and the pistons in the calliper. My suggestion is to strip the callipers fully:
    1. Make sure the grooves for the seals are cleaned out properly; gently scrape out any corrosion etc so the seal grooves are pristine; if not you may have too much pressure pushing the seals onto the pistons so they can't easily retract
    2. Make sure the piston surfaces are smooth and shiny; any corrosion here will cause binding. A bit of corrosion on the exposed end of the piston (outside of the seals) is of no consequence. I use a green scotchbrite pad to clean pistons, plus some Autosol metal polish to finish
    3. As longs as the seals are the right size, they should be OK to reuse, but clean them before use, I use some silicone spray and a rag
    4. Fork alignment probably won't be a factor as the pistons will move to take up the clearance (within reason). You can't misalign the right side, and the left side just needs to be loosened, then bounce the forks to find a happy place, and retighten. But I doubt that is your issue.

    You should be able to move the pistons back with firm finger pressure.
     


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    squirrelman and mello dude like this.
  3. U656

    U656 New Member

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    Any chance I can avoid draining the entire system to reseat the seals and pistons. I was gonna do it and pinch it with vice grips but it didn't look right. As the first time when I drained it to do the seals getting the air bubbles out was challenging.

    And do you think I should still use the rubber grease or just use the brake fluid to lube it and insert it.

    Thanks again
     


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  4. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    The Tokico pistons are, to quote Powerhouse "absolute fucking crap, shouldn't be allowed" they corrode really easily and you'll never find the minute bit of corrosion going on under the plating <<< that's why your brakes are sticking

    I replaced all mine with stainless from Powerhouse @16k, they were misshapen under the plating, which was also starting to lift

    Bite the bullet and get stainless from Powerhouse, I've now got braided stainless lines all around, always use OEM pads and recently had to fit Brembo RCS 19 pumps to accommodate my carpal tunnel syndrome getting worse

    If you do it now you'll have your bike sorted for what's left of this summer, such as it is
     


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