Brakes Dragging

[BIG--T]

My rer brakes are dragging and brake dust all over the rim. The pads look ok. Can anyone tell me what causes that and how to fix it? Could I be so lucky and spray brake cleaner on them?

Thanks

[X Ring]

Think you'll need to remove the calipers, clean the gunk off the pistons and lube the slide pins.

Marty

[Ricky-D]

My rer brakes are dragging and brake dust all over the rim. The pads look ok. Can anyone tell me what causes that and how to fix it? Could I be so lucky and spray brake cleaner on them?

Thanks

I think what you describe as "dragging" is perfectly normal operation for brake calipers.

Use whatever you prefer to clean anything back there! Won't hurt a thing!

***

[BIG--T]

Think you'll need to remove the calipers, clean the gunk off the pistons and lube the slide pins.

Marty

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[BIG--T]

My rer brakes are dragging and brake dust all over the rim. The pads look ok. Can anyone tell me what causes that and how to fix it? Could I be so lucky and spray brake cleaner on them?

Thanks

I think what you describe as "dragging" is perfectly normal operation for brake calipers.

Use whatever you prefer to clean anything back there! Won't hurt a thing!

***

Ricky, it was more than just a little dust. I came home late one evening and I thought my final drive, bearings or something was gone. When I jacked it up to see if the wheel would give and it didn't, I spun the tire and it is the brakes dragging. BTW, I just read your reply on the other post "brakes" and the 1500 miles is just what I put on my Valk since I bought it. The 68k is my other bike. Sorry about the confusion.
Tony

[Highbinder]

The bolt that holds your rear brake lever is also a service area....there is a return spring and O ring on a collared bolt that needs greasing every now and then...if this is dry the brake pedal does not return all the way up and let's the rear brake drag...I've had this happen on a couple of bikes....the way to check it, is just step on the brake and then reach down and see if you can pick up the back of the brake lever any....good luck....warning...if you decide to remove the bolt, remove the locknut behind the collared bolt first, if you don't you will break the bolt...don't ask how I know..

[F6Dave]

Like Highbinder said.  My pedal was sticking, and wouldn't depress completely.  I couldn't even lock the rear tire.  I thought it was the caliper, but the pivot for the rear brake pedal was rusty and sticking badly.  Cleaned and greased it and the brakes felt like new.

[CRAIGVALK]

With high miles you also could have a frozen caliper. If the brake fluid has not been periodically flushed, the piston in the caliper can freeze from contaminants in the fluid.
I would pull the caliper, hose the thing down with Brakeleen, and try to compress the piston with a C-clamp and a block of wood.