Rear Master Cylinder

sprinkman

200+ Posts
Sep 6, 2011
210
78
Ashland, OH
Name
sprinkman
Can you get rebuild kits for rear master cylinder. Was at the dealership said you had to replace them with newer version did I miss something.
 
Can you get rebuild kits for rear master cylinder. Was at the dealership said you had to replace them with newer version did I miss something.

What year is your trike , And when was the last time you changed the brake fluid:Shrug:

My 11 Tri had a recall on the rear , but that was back in 2011...
 
I just had my rear master go bad. Went to go down to the lighthouse for a few photos about a month ago. Brakes worked when I parked it, but when I hit the rear brake pedal that day, nothing. Tried to get a kit, no go. Moco got me for $235 for a new master cyl. I put it on and flushed her out good. The old fluid looked pretty funky. Now I have rear brakes. I took the old master cyl apart, looks like between the pedal and the pushrod not pushing straight, or aligned with the bore, it was kind pf pushing the piston to the side a little. So there was aluminum/brake fluid sludge in the rubber cup, preventing it from sealing. Cleaned it all out, I can see the tiny grooves on the outside of the cup, I'll bet I could put it back together and it would work. It's going on the shelf for an emergency spare.

Bottom line gents, is flush that brake fluid on a regular basis.
 
IMO, whoever is the supplier to HD of the master cylinders and calipers is using way too much assembly lube

This would account for the color of the fluid

I have 16k on my 17 M8, I have already flushed my fluids including the clutch

I will tell you this, I tested the fluid with a Brake Fluid Tester

s-l640.jpg
All hydraulic fluids failed

This tester is not cheap, I am not saying go spend 100+ bucks on one

Just flush it as the manual says and be sure to use the correct fluid for your bike per the owners manual
 
IMO, whoever is the supplier to HD of the master cylinders and calipers is using way too much assembly lube

This would account for the color of the fluid

I have 16k on my 17 M8, I have already flushed my fluids including the clutch

I will tell you this, I tested the fluid with a Brake Fluid Tester

s-l640.jpg
All hydraulic fluids failed

This tester is not cheap, I am not saying go spend 100+ bucks on one

Just flush it as the manual says and be sure to use the correct fluid for your bike per the owners manual

When i put new brakes in my 11 Tri, I decided to check the fluid , [Visually,] The front was good [clear] But the rear was another story, Black as night, And black mud like slop on the bottom....I used Q-tips to swab it clean...I think thats why Harley highly recommends to flush it out every two years..
 
When i put new brakes in my 11 Tri, I decided to check the fluid , [Visually,] The front was good [clear] But the rear was another story, Black as night, And black mud like slop on the bottom....I used Q-tips to swab it clean...I think thats why Harley highly recommends to flush it out every two years..

Typically the black mud is some of the inner lining of the brake hose and rubber cups

Now HD is using hard plastic lines like the import cars

The mud IMO is mostly excess assembly fluid settling on the bottom of the cylinder

Good on you Bob for cleaning it out ;)
 
Typically the black mud is some of the inner lining of the brake hose and rubber cups

Now HD is using hard plastic lines like the import cars

The mud IMO is mostly excess assembly fluid settling on the bottom of the cylinder

Good on you Bob for cleaning it out ;)

Hey Jack, when did the MoCo change to DOT 5.1 & when did they change back?

I think that's causing a lot of problems due to a lot of riders not knowing you can't mix the 2.
 
Hey Jack, when did the MoCo change to DOT 5.1 & when did they change back?

I think that's causing a lot of problems due to a lot of riders not knowing you can't mix the 2.

Good question with differing answers

This is to the best of my remembering,

2005 some models, All models in 07 call for dot4

All ABS bikes call for dot 4

The Brembo calipers do not like dot 5

Some have had good experiences with dot 5, others not so much on the bikes that required it

I had BIG problems with my 97 FLHT crystallizing
 
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Will be changing fluids and flushing today. The brakes will still work they just won't pump up. This will be the 4th fluid change for them will see if that solves the problem. If not will take it off and look at the internal things before ordering a new one. I think the motor company new something was wrong with the old one and that is why they changed.
 
Might have lucked out sucked all of the fluid out of master cylinder took paper towels and got all the black gooey stuff from the bottom. Then refilled and bleed seems like I got a good pedal now won't know till it warms up. Also it was good time to shine up the chrome wheels inside and out. Thanks to everyone who responded. sprinkman
 
Might have lucked out sucked all of the fluid out of master cylinder took paper towels and got all the black gooey stuff from the bottom. Then refilled and bleed seems like I got a good pedal now won't know till it warms up. Also it was good time to shine up the chrome wheels inside and out. Thanks to everyone who responded. sprinkman

Good to hear & please keep us updated.:cool: They are now recommending to flush the fluid every 2 years. I plan on doing my 2017 Freewheeler at the end of the 1st year so I know it's right & then every 2.

I have 2 local auto parts stores that rent tools (for free) & will give you a vacuum bleeder for 60 days for a deposit.

I'm doing both cars and the FW.
 
Good to hear & please keep us updated.:cool: They are now recommending to flush the fluid every 2 years. I plan on doing my 2017 Freewheeler at the end of the 1st year so I know it's right & then every 2.

I have 2 local auto parts stores that rent tools (for free) & will give you a vacuum bleeder for 60 days for a deposit.

I'm doing both cars and the FW.

spin_prod_948217312


For about 35.00 you can buy 1 of these, They work good
 
Jack, I usually do buy what I need, but getting this FW has turned me into a cheap sob. I just figured for a day or 2 every 2 years, I wouldn't clutter up the garage. I also rent the tool I need to do my rear disc car brakes, the tool to run the piston back into the caliper. I only need it every 10 years.
 
Jack, I usually do buy what I need, but getting this FW has turned me into a cheap sob. I just figured for a day or 2 every 2 years, I wouldn't clutter up the garage. I also rent the tool I need to do my rear disc car brakes, the tool to run my piston back in on the caliper. I only need it every 10 years.

I hear ya

Since I retired i sold off a lot of my specialty tools

I had a rule, I f I needed to borrow a tool more than 3 times I bought it

I will NEVER sell my wrenches, sockets or any tool I can use on a bike repair

Back in the day no one rented tools;)
 
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I hear ya

Since I retired i sold off a lot of my specialty tools

I had a rule, I f I needed to borrow a tool more than 3 times I bought it

I will NEVER sell my wrenches, sockets or any tool I can use on a bike repair

Back in the day no one rented tools;)

Ive been in the last few years giving my tools to my Sons, This way when i don't feel like monkeying with something, I just give them a call and supervise the work...I Use to enjoy working on cars and bikes, But that boat has left the dock, Jiffy Lube does all the oil changers on my truck and car...And my Harley dealer does my oil change on my Tri..Certain stuff i'll do myself when necessary, But the burning desire to crawl around a car/bike....Ain't there anymore.....:Shrug:
 
Ive been in the last few years giving my tools to my Sons, This way when i don't feel like monkeying with something, I just give them a call and supervise the work...I Use to enjoy working on cars and bikes, But that boat has left the dock, Jiffy Lube does all the oil changers on my truck and car...And my Harley dealer does my oil change on my Tri..Certain stuff i'll do myself when necessary, But the burning desire to crawl around a car/bike....Ain't there anymore.....:Shrug:

There are only a few things I cant do any more

I cant see paying for something I have done all my life and by the grace of God I can still do

I aint knockin no one for not wanting to do this any more

I hope I don't get to this point;)
 
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There are only a few things I cant do any more

I cant see paying for something I have done all my life and by the grace of God I can still do

I aint knockin no one for not wanting to do this any more

I hope I don't get to this point;)

I Look at it this way, For more than 50 years people have been paying me to work on their stuff, So its about time i pay them to work on my stuff...:laugh:
 
Question ?????

Can you get rebuild kits for rear master cylinder. Was at the dealership said you had to replace them with newer version did I miss something.

So did you rebuild the master if so how hard or did you buy a new cyclinder. I got the same bike as you and having problems with my rear brake. please let me know what your out come was.
 
So did you rebuild the master if so how hard or did you buy a new cyclinder. I got the same bike as you and having problems with my rear brake. please let me know what your out come was.

I ended up flushing with new fluid got all the air out and everything was fine. good pedal and brakes.
 

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