loose caliper but bolts tight

[Axel]

What does it mean when your front right caliper is loose . I tried tightening the bolts and they are good . The body of the caliper can be moved up and down about 1/4 inch in the direction of the rotor . It has seemed to be working otherwise .

[blue giant]

Is this something new Axel? Sounds like the bolts are bottoming out. Are the washers still on the bolts? You could add one or two to each to get them tight to the fork again.

My $0.02

[Axel]

worst case scenario

I believe this is something new . I had a recent tire change . The rocking action might indicate an on -going problem if it created a slot out of the bottom bolt hole . I'll look at it this morning before I head out . Worse case scenario - I'll just avoid using that caliper. With the XJ's linked brakes I'll still have the left front from the rear pedal

[skids]

Re: worst case scenario

Yikes! I think linked brakes are supposed to act with balanced forces.

Originally posted by Axel
Worse case scenario - I'll just avoid using that caliper. With the XJ's linked brakes I'll still have the left front from the rear pedal

[blue giant]

I believe it's the right front caliper on Axel's bike that's the problem.

He will still have the rear and left front brakes from the foot pedal.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Axel,

I don't have access to an XJ, but I looked at the fiches, and from what I can see, I don't think it's the actual mounting bolts that you tighten to secure the caliper to the bracket, but there is the sliding pin with a couple of fat rubber cushions that dampen as well as hold the caliper in the unit, and allows it to slide sideways during the working of it. Perhaps one of these rubber cushions got damaged, misplaced, etc., so that only 1 cushion is holding it steady, and so without the other one, it would allow it to tilt/rock around since the cushion takes up a considerable amount of space between the pin and the caliper!?
T.C.

[oldnortonrider]

He's got the same front brake "pad/caliper" setup, that the Specials have. The one nut , at the bottom, sorta up in the hole, that holds the "one big bolt" that holds "all"> when you take that loose, there's a very thick washer that would sorta pass as a "spacer". Every time I do this job, that washer/spacer "tries to 'disappear' " on me. If one of his calipers is snug/tight, and the other's not (when the nut is all-way-torqued)> more "pieces" (the washer, grommet, ? spacer) are gonna be up on the bolt that's on the caliper that's tight.

(maybe)

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Norton,

Sorry, but according to the microfiche, the XJ doesn't use the same calipers as the Specials! The 81MNS and the XJ use the newer designed front caliper system! See below!

[oldnortonrider]

Heh-heh; well boy I got CAUGHT! on that one! Have for years, without taking a closer look (going only by pictures), assumed that Yamaha had used the same caliper/pad setup as the Specials, because the XJs had that offset front axle.
I really thank you for the microfiche visual aid. That 'splains whut I otherwise woulda had a hard time believin'.

[John]

The rear caliper is the same style as the Special.

[Axel]

hippy shake

Thanks guys . I'll have to investigate further . It definately isnt the mounting bolts - That part is tight and solid . The part of the caliper that pivots on that large pin is what moves . I'll check for the large rubber boot/grommet/washer things - probably these have deteriorated . There was fork oil and brake fluid all over this caliper when I got the bike . Didnt keep me home today as I joined some XS11.com posters for a ride to a rally - KEWL