help, rear brakes don't work when wet

[GunHawk]

Posted here once about my rear brakes not working when wet. I replaced the pads with ebc double H and thought this would solve my problem. Rode 250 miles in the rain on the interstate, no brakes. Would replacing the rotors help?

 

[rhino 2]

Posted here once about my rear brakes not working when wet. I replaced the pads with ebc double H and thought this would solve my problem. Rode 250 miles in the rain on the interstate, no brakes. Would replacing the rotors help?

If your rotors are glazed then replacing them would help..?

 

[TonkaDriver]

I doubt changing rotors would accomplish much unless they are glazed from excessive heat. I was always trained to pre-heat and dry out the breaks before application for stopping. Light pressure a little prior to stopping will dry them out.

Kurt

 

[Jack Klarich]

I doubt changing rotors would accomplish much unless they are glazed from excessive heat. I was always trained to pre-heat and dry out the breaks before application for stopping. Light pressure a little prior to stopping will dry them out.

Kurt

I was caught in the backside of a tropical storm in 2014 riding thru Georgia on the way home from a Minnesota trip, the rain was torrential, I slightly rode the linked brakes before attempting to stop, it has always worked good for me

A bit of heat to dry out the pads makes all the difference

 

[rhino 2]

Posted here once about my rear brakes not working when wet. I replaced the pads with ebc double H and thought this would solve my problem. Rode 250 miles in the rain on the interstate, no brakes. Would replacing the rotors help?

Just a clarification…When you say no brakes exactly what does that mean….?..Normally disk brake pads are always slightly rubbing on the rotors so they don’t completely fail when wet like drum brakes will…

 

[Jack Klarich]

Just a clarification…When you say no brakes exactly what does that mean….?..Normally disk brake pads are always slightly rubbing on the rotors so they don’t completely fail when wet like drum brakes will…

Very good question Bob

 

[Dan SC]

What are you working on?

 

[GunHawk]

Just a clarification…When you say no brakes exactly what does that mean….?..Normally disk brake pads are always slightly rubbing on the rotors so they don’t completely fail when wet like drum brakes will…

When wet I have to apply the brakes two or three times to get them to work. I had a 2015 Tri Glide and never had a problem in the rain. I think I'm going to replace the rotors and see if that helps.

 

[GunHawk]

What are you working on?

2016 Tri Glide with 24,000 miles.

 

[Jack Klarich]

When wet I have to apply the brakes two or three times to get them to work. I had a 2015 Tri Glide and never had a problem in the rain. I think I'm going to replace the rotors and see if that helps.

Wash the rotors with soapy water to remove any residue and rinse with lots of water, and let dry, try not to touch the rotor face when installing them to keep oils from your hands transferring

Sand the pads to help them bed in fast

Bleed the brakes

 

[Notgrownup]

Pads make the best difference but I sand my rotors with some 220 grit after I clean them then clean them again. I swapped my pads to EBC double sintered. Wow, what a difference.

 

[rhino 2]

Wash the rotors with soapy water to remove any residue and rinse with lots of water, and let dry, try not to touch the rotor face when installing them to keep oils from your hands transferring

Sand the pads to help them bed in fast

Bleed the brakes

The last time I got rotors they came with a black protective coating. (So they don’t rust in storage) If you don’t take that off, it’s going to make a mess the first few times you try to use the brakes…

 

[GunHawk]

black protective coating

The last time I got rotors they came with a black protective coating. (So they don’t rust in storage) If you don’t take that off, it’s going to make a mess the first few times you try to use the brakes…

Will this mess clean up just by washing the wheels? I bought Scotch pads to clean the coating, but if it's not required I won't do it. Thanks for your help.

 

[rhino 2]

Will this mess clean up just by washing the wheels? I bought Scotch pads to clean the coating, but if it's not required I won't do it. Thanks for your help.

If understand this right you left the black coating on the rotors

when you install them and now the coating is on the rims?

Dawn liquid detergent and light rubbing will take it off…

 

[GunHawk]

If understand this right you left the black coating on the rotors

when you install them and now the coating is on the rims?

Dawn liquid detergent and light rubbing will take it off…

Haven't installed them yet, Was curious about your experience with the black coating.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Will this mess clean up just by washing the wheels? I bought Scotch pads to clean the coating, but if it's not required I won't do it. Thanks for your help.

You do not need to remove the coating, after a few light brakings it will be gone, it does not hurt the brake pads either

 

[GunHawk]

You do not need to remove the coating, after a few light brakings it will be gone, it does not hurt the brake pads either

Thank you.

 

[rhino 2]

You do not need to remove the coating, after a few light brakings it will be gone, it does not hurt the brake pads either

Just curious...Why wound't you remove it while you have the rotors off ? If you don't' There isn't any meaningful braking till it wares off..(Don't try to stop going down a steep driveway the first time braking)..And then you'll still have to clean the residue off the rims...?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Just curious...Why wound't you remove it while you have the rotors off ? If you don't' There isn't any meaningful braking till it wares off..(Don't try to stop going down a steep driveway the first time braking)..And then you'll still have to clean the residue off the rims...?

Back in the early days the coating was cosmoline, it had to be removed, it was very sticky and would ruin the pads

Modern day coatings are a light dusting of a zinc oxide and do not have to be removed

The pads will wipe it away on the first braking, however it is still prudent to wash the faces of the rotors with soapy water and rinse with plenty of water to remove any oils and finger prints

 

[Jack Klarich]

Be sure to have your parking brake adjusted correctly to insure rear brake operation