Brake problems and rear noise on new TG

[Papa4]

We have problems with both front and rear brakes on wifes 2013 TG with 2400 miles (of which 550 are trips to dealer..!!!). It's not my wife - she knows how to brake.

Rear brakes. We had dealer disconnect the parking brake at 1000 miles. There is now horrible amount of brake dust on wheels and tires and brakes are hot - smell them constantly when she rides. We are not sure but do not remember this issue prior to disconnecting parking brake. Dealer is ordering rotors and pads but at this time does not know what the problem is.

Front brakes. From Day 1 there has been a grinding noise in front when pushing the bike around in our garage. It also pushes much harder than my 2012. Both rotors show uneven wear marks. There is wide dark streak on 180 degrees of both rotors as if rotors / pads are not lined up properly. Dealer determined yesterday that right rotor is warped but said left is OK. Ordering rotor for right side and pads but I'm not convinced the left side is OK.

I also posted earlier that from Day 1 there is a loud clicking noise in rear end when turning right. Sounds like a dog clicking on a sprocket. HD said to "monitor". Great response..!! Well we've done that and its still there. Spoke to another dealer who had seen this several times and said its a flat spot on a wheel bearing. Dealer has new bearings for both sides and we will see.

I would appreciate any feedback or experiences with the brake problems from you good folks.

Also have to get new wheels on rear since original had black mark flaws under the clear coat. Dealer has the wheels.

So needless to say we are not having a pleasant new ownership experience. Will have at least 3 more 110 mile trips to dealer and back. My confidence level of these issues getting resolved permanently is not very high.

 

[Bikerbozo]

As far as back brakes. If the TG was manufactured before Feb. 2013, there is a service bulletin issued end of June covering replacing rear rotors for noise. Pads would have to be replaced by them then also.

 

[Oldmsocko]

We have problems with both front and rear brakes on wifes 2013 TG with 2400 miles (of which 550 are trips to dealer..!!!). It's not my wife - she knows how to brake.

Rear brakes. We had dealer disconnect the parking brake at 1000 miles. There is now horrible amount of brake dust on wheels and tires and brakes are hot - smell them constantly when she rides. We are not sure but do not remember this issue prior to disconnecting parking brake. Dealer is ordering rotors and pads but at this time does not know what the problem is.

Front brakes. From Day 1 there has been a grinding noise in front when pushing the bike around in our garage. It also pushes much harder than my 2012. Both rotors show uneven wear marks. There is wide dark streak on 180 degrees of both rotors as if rotors / pads are not lined up properly. Dealer determined yesterday that right rotor is warped but said left is OK. Ordering rotor for right side and pads but I'm not convinced the left side is OK.

I also posted earlier that from Day 1 there is a loud clicking noise in rear end when turning right. Sounds like a dog clicking on a sprocket. HD said to "monitor". Great response..!! Well we've done that and its still there. Spoke to another dealer who had seen this several times and said its a flat spot on a wheel bearing. Dealer has new bearings for both sides and we will see.

I would appreciate any feedback or experiences with the brake problems from you good folks.

Also have to get new wheels on rear since original had black mark flaws under the clear coat. Dealer has the wheels.

So needless to say we are not having a pleasant new ownership experience. Will have at least 3 more 110 mile trips to dealer and back. My confidence level of these issues getting resolved permanently is not very high.

I'm curious. When did HD clear coat the rims??:Shrug:

 

[trikermutha]

I'm curious. When did HD clear coat the rims??:Shrug:

I was thinking the same thing...They will have to be repolished.

 

[trikermutha]

We have problems with both front and rear brakes on wifes 2013 TG with 2400 miles (of which 550 are trips to dealer..!!!). It's not my wife - she knows how to brake.

Rear brakes. We had dealer disconnect the parking brake at 1000 miles. There is now horrible amount of brake dust on wheels and tires and brakes are hot - smell them constantly when she rides. We are not sure but do not remember this issue prior to disconnecting parking brake. Dealer is ordering rotors and pads but at this time does not know what the problem is.

Front brakes. From Day 1 there has been a grinding noise in front when pushing the bike around in our garage. It also pushes much harder than my 2012. Both rotors show uneven wear marks. There is wide dark streak on 180 degrees of both rotors as if rotors / pads are not lined up properly. Dealer determined yesterday that right rotor is warped but said left is OK. Ordering rotor for right side and pads but I'm not convinced the left side is OK.

I also posted earlier that from Day 1 there is a loud clicking noise in rear end when turning right. Sounds like a dog clicking on a sprocket. HD said to "monitor". Great response..!! Well we've done that and its still there. Spoke to another dealer who had seen this several times and said its a flat spot on a wheel bearing. Dealer has new bearings for both sides and we will see.

I would appreciate any feedback or experiences with the brake problems from you good folks.

Also have to get new wheels on rear since original had black mark flaws under the clear coat. Dealer has the wheels.

So needless to say we are not having a pleasant new ownership experience. Will have at least 3 more 110 mile trips to dealer and back. My confidence level of these issues getting resolved permanently is not very high.

I am wondering if the rear piston is stuck causing the brake issue or the bushing are not sliding correctly

rotors do warp if not installed correctly..

 

[msocko3]

I was thinking the same thing...They will have to be repolished.

Your right they need polished, raw aluminum requires the owner to keep it polished since it oxidizes so easily. HD hasn't clear coated the rims, if they did I don't think I would care for them because clear coat chips and then exposes raw aluminum to oxidize.

It'll be interesting to hear what the problem turns out to be, one thing HD is noted for is installing pads that make lots of brake dust when their used often.

 

[Sloufoot]

As far as back brakes. If the TG was manufactured before Feb. 2013, there is a service bulletin issued end of June covering replacing rear rotors for noise. Pads would have to be replaced by them then also.

Is that 6/13 ? Also what # is that bulletin? No one can find anything on it .

 

[Papa4]

I would appreciate more details on the brake bulletin. Seen other posts about this but can't find confirmation or bulletin #.

As far as the clear coat on wheels, thats what I was told. I did not know better. All I know is both wheels had large black flaws that dealer could not get off.

 

[Bikerbozo]

I would appreciate more details on the brake bulletin. Seen other posts about this but can't find confirmation or bulletin #.

As far as the clear coat on wheels, thats what I was told. I did not know better. All I know is both wheels had large black flaws that dealer could not get off.

It is bulletin # M-1339A. Dated June 24, 2013. When i get on a real computer later, I will post a copy of actual bulletin. Can't do it from cell.
And don't get me started on rims. Mine went to hell. Recently bought a used pair in excellent shape and spray coated the heck out of them. Just getting put on now. I will grind old ones smooth and paint black.

 

[Geezzer Glide]

I had an issue with the rear brakes on my 11 TG. After the dealer replaced 2 sets of rear pads and 1 set of rotors they determined that the emergency brake cable was hanging up intermittently. At that time they replaced the emergency brake cable, rear pads and rotors. Solved the problem except that the rear brakes squeaked from day 1 and were still squeaking. The dealers answer to the squeaking was that they just do. I noticed that the rear rotors were starting to show some slight marring again and I had at least 2/3's or more of the pads left. I finally replaced all the brake pads myself with Lyndall brake pads. That solved my troubles. No more squeaking and the rotors are looking fine. The factory rear brake pads are junk. I can't say if there were any changes to the rear brakes on the 12's or 13's but they say there has been on the 14's.
Dan

 

[Trent]

I know this will be a repeat, but here it goes again. If you remove that useless parking brake, it may eliminate some of the issues you are dealing with. You do not need it and you will not miss it. It works really well sitting in a box in your garage.

 

[Papa4]

I agree about the parking brake. Thats why we had it removed at 1000 miles as I said in original post. So that should not be causing the brake dust and burning hot smell

 

[Papa4]

Bikerbozo,
When you get a chance could you please post a copy of the bulletin? I'd sure appreciate it

 

[Bikerbozo]

Bikerbozo,
When you get a chance could you please post a copy of the bulletin? I'd sure appreciate it

If you PM me your email address, i can email pic of bulletin from my cell. Unfortunetely, posting directly pics from cell hasn't worked in quite a while. I can also text pic directly to anybodies cell. I won't be home until late tonight with real computer that can attach pics.

 

[Big Red]

If you PM me your email address, i can email pic of bulletin from my cell. Unfortunetely, posting directly pics from cell hasn't worked in quite a while. I can also text pic directly to anybodies cell. I won't be home until late tonight with real computer that can attach pics.

IF you would email me that bulletin please my 2113 has lots of brake noise. HD looked at them last week win they was doing my 5K service. There fix was to ADJ braking brake did not help and told me they could install new back pads and it be $195. that a ware part was not under warranty
billsalinascale@sbcglobal.net
Thanks

 

[trikermutha]

Harley usually will not cover brake pads under warranty but in certain cases they do..

 

[Minnesota Dick]

I stoped by my dealer today and talked about the sqeaking rear brakes on my 2012 triglide. I dealers is ordering new rotors and pad for me under warranty for me.

 

[YgWiz]

If you PM me your email address, i can email pic of bulletin from my cell. Unfortunetely, posting directly pics from cell hasn't worked in quite a while. I can also text pic directly to anybodies cell. I won't be home until late tonight with real computer that can attach pics.

I also have a similiar problem with my 2013 Tri glide and
would appreciate a copy of the bulletin.
My email is sibrlw@Comcast.net
Thanks,
YgWiz

 

[rwhgme]

Ours is rwhgme@aol.com Bozo!

 

[Sloufoot]

If you PM me your email address, i can email pic of bulletin from my cell. Unfortunetely, posting directly pics from cell hasn't worked in quite a while. I can also text pic directly to anybodies cell. I won't be home until late tonight with real computer that can attach pics.

Thanks for the bulletin ! Now I can argue !:10:

 

[Bikerbozo]

Finally remembered when on real computer. So here is actual service bulletin. I note that it also says that brake pads should be replaced at same time as rotor. Should be included when they do "unofficial recall".
Note I called HD factory service dept directly and got a service # from them to give to local HD shop. Local shop had told me they were originally turned down when they tried to do same for another trike.

 

[Papa4]

Just got wife's 2013 TG (2600 miles) back yesterday after 2 weeks in the shop at dealer. All is fixed - at least for now.

Rear end clicking noise when turning right was the rear end. One spider gear was smooth - other was very rough. It also did not rotate straight due to mis-alignment of some pin? Anyway, HD sent dealer new rear end and all new bearings and noise is gone.

New rotors and pads on front as original rotors were warped.
New rotors and pads on rear. Could not determine why original were heating and smelling hot and excessive brake dust.
New rear wheels to replace original that had black marks.

So at least bike is back and HD did cover all under warranty. Thankful for that.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Finally remembered when on real computer. So here is actual service bulletin. I note that it also says that brake pads should be replaced at same time as rotor. Should be included when they do "unofficial recall".
Note I called HD factory service dept directly and got a service # from them to give to local HD shop. Local shop had told me they were originally turned down when they tried to do same for another trike.

Important update to this story. Was just at my HD dealer yesterday (Radio going out for warranty repair now) and counter guy told me that HD ended up denying the warranty of those rotors after the dealer had installed them and new rotors. Even though the factory told me over phone it would be covered. Apparently my dealer did not call them with the service # ahead of time and someone there changed there minds. My dealer had already replaced them. The good news? The dealer absorbed the cost since they should have called. They didn't call me begging for any money after fact. Would have been in $700 range. I'll call this rental cost for them holding it hostage all those extra week's. I guess reading them the riot act about how I bring trike in for overpriced service got through to them.

 

[Sloufoot]

I just got off the phone with DFT Trikes. On their IRS unit that is for the Tri Glides they put 10.5" brake rotors on their unit. This is a 1.5" increase from stock. They said they also have somewhat of a noise from their brakes, but not a squeal. It amounts to a slight growl. If you take the pads off & clean them & the rotor real well everything is fine again for a while. He said the problem comes from the size of the pads. They need to be a lot larger to get away from the vibration of the pads.
He also gave me a price for a pair of 10.5" rotors with the caliper mounting plate that will bolt on the Tri Glide at around $650.
I'm still weighing the gain from the 1.5" larger rotor compared to $650......................