Front Hand Brake Soft Issue

Bob25thTA

Bob25thTA

20+ Posts
Mar 18, 2023
22
37
Cleveland, SC
Name
Robert
This is shop diagnosis.

Customer States: DIAG SOFT FRONT BRAKE LEVER. FRONT BRAKE LEVER HAS NO PRESSURE. CONCERN STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. NO LEVER HAS NO PRESSURE AT ALL. CUSTOMER HAS NOT SEEN ANY SIGN OF FLUID LEAKS

TECH SERVICES REQUESTS THAT WE DO ABS SERVICE ONLY TO SEE IF THAT WILL FREE UP VALVE IN ABSMODULEREF# 4882963ABS SERVICE FAILED TO CORRECT PROBLEMAUTHORIZEATION TO REPLACE AND EXPEDITE ABS MODULE, A#326238

ABS Module was replaced and problem returned. Almost sounds like master cylinder bypassing. If I hit foot brake first the ABS "pumps" up the system and front brake works. If I press both at same time hand lever depresses all the way to the grip. Anyone else had an issue like this?
 
Do you have a factory warranty or extended warranty?

It sure sounds like a bypassing master cylinder, that said if the tech bled the brakes that should have confirmed it

You could remove the master cover, suck out all the old fluid, wipe the inside of the reservoir with a lint free cloth or Q tips, rebleed the front brakes and try the lever

If it is still limp, slowly pump the lever with medium strokes, do not pump fast, that will cause more air bubbles

Next, after pumping up the brakes, wrap a bungie around the lever and handle bars

Wait a few hours, undo the bungie, does the lever now feel firm?

If not you probably have a bad master
 
Almost sounds like there is air in the system somewhere. If the valving is not functioning correctly as the front & rear are linked systems it may do that. Could also be a software issues as the system senses pressure front & rear and adjusts accordingly.
 
Well it's not Master Cylinder. Pumped the hand brake numerous times and bungeed it for over an hour, pressure held, and now I have good front brake pressure. Could it be a warped disc pushing the pucks back and requiring more fluid to apply brakes? Continued tomorrow. Don't know how to check runout on floating disc????
 
Bob25thTA said:
Well it's not Master Cylinder. Pumped the hand brake numerous times and bungeed it for over an hour, pressure held, and now I have good front brake pressure. Could it be a warped disc pushing the pucks back and requiring more fluid to apply brakes? Continued tomorrow. Don't know how to check runout on floating disc????
Click to expand...

If you have a lot of run out you will feel it when braking

Runout should not give a spongy feel, it should however pulsate

Checking runout is straight forward if you have the gauge to check it with

Before you check runout, remove the caliper and secure it with a bungee, also before checking for run out, put a hand on the fork leg and turn the wheel thru a couple of cycles to be sure there is no wobble and or rough feel in the wheel bearings

Next do your runout check and compare it to HD specs
 
Front Bake Issues Back

Bring my 2021 Tri Glide Ultra into HD next week. Symptom is no front brake lever pressure again, collapses to grip and brakes barely apply. So far they replaced brake ABS control unit 02/14/2023 and worked until 05/18/2023 back into shop, replaced master cylinder and worked until yesterday. Nice day in SC so went out for a ride no front brake pressure. In garage when applying front brake it sounds like something under tank is bypassing, I hear whooshing sound. Does anyone have a schematic of the brake system to self diagnose it myself. Any comments would be appreciated.
 
If it was me I would let the dealer fix it, if you start messing around to fix it yourself the dealer may refuse to work on it and say you screwed it up and then it will be up to you to pay for the repair, just a thought is all, warranties are subject to change from dealer to dealer. I know a front brake is good to have but if you have warranty and forever warranty from dealer let them fix it, if I remember right if you do something on it yourself they may refuse to warrant it, it is up to you

All for now Trampas
 
Like What a few people have stated don’t mess with it yourself it’s under warranty let the dealer take care of it..
 
My '14 Dyna had the same issue. Dum Dums replaced ABS Control Unit and Master cylinder.Still mushy front brake. Did 3 panic stops at 30mph. Think it freed up the valves in the ACU. Its non invasive. Worth a shot.
 
I noticed the same thing after my conversion. After numerous attempts to bleed the brake line, I would only have brake pressure after squeezing the brake two or three times. My problem was resolved when it was discovered that the front wheel (which I had chrome plated to match the rear wheels as part of my build) had a chrome plating build up on the wheel in one area. This prevented full contact of the calipers. My Honda mechanic discovered this, and after lightly grinding the build up down, I again had full brake pressure and haven't had a problem since. So, If you had your front wheel chromed, you might want to take a look.
 
Old Road Dog said:
My '14 Dyna had the same issue. Dum Dums replaced ABS Control Unit and Master cylinder.Still mushy front brake. Did 3 panic stops at 30mph. Think it freed up the valves in the ACU. Its non invasive. Worth a shot.
Click to expand...

Good thought, the Trike is soo heavy and slows down soo quick, I hardly use the breaks only very lightly.
 
Bob25thTA said:
Bring my 2021 Tri Glide Ultra into HD next week. Symptom is no front brake lever pressure again, collapses to grip and brakes barely apply. So far they replaced brake ABS control unit 02/14/2023 and worked until 05/18/2023 back into shop, replaced master cylinder and worked until yesterday. Nice day in SC so went out for a ride no front brake pressure. In garage when applying front brake it sounds like something under tank is bypassing, I hear whooshing sound. Does anyone have a schematic of the brake system to self diagnose it myself. Any comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Here is a link to where you can see all the schematics of your TG.

https://shop.suburbanharley.com/oem-parts

That way you can look and possibly have some input to your service writer at the Dealership.

As you can see, there is a lot going on with the brakes between the Linked, ABS, & RDRS features.

Kevin
 
Dragging my old post back up.

I continue to have issues with my front brake going soft. After 2 front master cylinders and an ABS module replacement, the front brake little by little goes soft and now is not working even if I pump it. Any ideas could it be air getting in through calipers or somewhere else. I am about to file a complaint with the NHTSA because Harley can not seem to fix the issue. They just say air got in the system.

Did a little TS. When pulling front brake lever I can hear fluid bypassing through ABS module. Anyone have fluid diagram of ABS module? No ABS fault codes also.
 
Have the pistons in the calipers been cleaned?

Had a soft front brake lever on my 2020 Ultra with 20k miles. Bled brakes and did the ABS cycling reset and no love. Heard the squishing sound in the brake line also.

I discovered this YouTube video, then went out and took my calipers off to look at the pistons. They were full of black gunky brake dust, and the pistons weren’t moving. I cleaned them out, put new sets of EBC double H pads in, and the front brakes are solid again.


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EaslIKLdEE8&t=20s&pp=2AEUkAIB
 
Bob25thTA said:
Bled brakes and had air in lines somehow. Brake lever is now back to normal. Used ABS flushing device, which unknowing to manufacturer does not work on 2021+ Trikes. Sometime in the next couple of months they should have an upgrade.
Click to expand...
Any link or info on ABS device? I seem to have been blessed with this issue over the winter. Brakes were fine when parked last year. Got on trike this year and front brake goes almost to bar. Going to do the caliper cleaning like in the video but would like to have a way to cycle ABS without having to find a gravel road and do a few panic stops....
 
You Tube - Bill on Bikes. Out of Phoenix. Watched a video on bleeding brakes, ABF. I like what I see from this guy. He has a way he does this with one more step.
I don't have ABS but it looks good how he does it.
 
Thats what i figured....hundreds of dollars to get a scanner that can cycle abs. There should be a button on the abs unit that cycles it, but no, take it in and pay hundreds every two years just to flush fresh fluid thru the abs unit....its a ripoff

Technology pisses me off sometimes....
 
Well thats out. Seems the 2020 and newer trikes were the test bed for a new n improved abs system....

Jason at ITM is looking for someone willing to let him use their bike for development for the new system. He needs a 2024 Road Glide or a 2020 or newer trike....

He's in Spokane Wa. and his number is on his website if anyone in the area is willing to help....really nice guy.

Tell him Max sent you and I'll get a free setup. No telling what he'll do for someone that helps....
 
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