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brake fluid only/mainly goes to the right side...

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  • brake fluid only/mainly goes to the right side...

    i was taking off my calipers, and i notice the brake wear is significantly higher on the pads on the right side than the left. I suspect a stuck piston on the left side, so i took both caliper out. After I took them out, i press the brake lever to push the extra fluid left in the hose, and i notice only the right side banjo bolt (unison bolt?) squirts fluid, and the left one only drips. After completely draining the brake fluid, i spray from brake cleaner in the reservoir (not sure if i should have done that, will it mess up the MC piston seals?), and press the lever again, brake fluid once again squirt out on the right side, and mildly drips on the left.

    so, i suspect something is clogged up at the point where the left and right hose+unison bolt meets at the lower triple tree.
    Or, this is purely by design: as the hose+unison bolt to the right caliper is placed under the one to the left, and pressure is simply stronger on the bottom one. It is similar to theory like this:
    http://thehappyscientist.com/science...nt/three-holes

    so, am i thinking too much?
    Last edited by andylawcc; 01-05-2013, 02:38 AM.
    79 XS11

  • #2
    Originally posted by andylawcc View Post
    so, am i thinking too much?
    Yes, either the bolt or the left side hose is plugged, the holes in the bottle don't have to push anything, say like brake pads against a disc? how old are your hoses quite possible they may be breaking down inside, dis-assemble and clean everything
    where are we going, and why are we in this hand basket?
    Iowa the Beautiful Land 1980 XS1100SG

    Comment


    • #3
      It is also possible that the internal lining of the brake lines are collapsing and restricting flow.
      Nathan
      KD9ARL

      μολὼν λαβέ

      1978 XS1100E
      K&N Filter
      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
      OEM Exhaust
      ATK Fork Brace
      LED Dash lights
      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

      Green Monster Coils
      SS Brake Lines
      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

      Theodore Roosevelt

      Comment


      • #4
        Most likely the hose is plugged either with junk or as Nate said a deteriorated lining. Try taking them off and flushing them with brake cleaner and air pressure. Replacing them would be best.

        The brake cleaner shouldn't hurt the master, it's designed to clean brake parts without damaging them.
        Greg

        Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

        ― Albert Einstein

        80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

        The list changes.

        Comment


        • #5
          For the science geek in me, there is a difference between gravitational pressure and induced pressure. In the two litre bottle. only the pressure on the quantity of water above is pushing the water out the three holes, so there will be a difference in the amount of water that comes from each. If you took the same two litre and put the lid in it and now used say compressed air or similar to push the water out, the streams would equalize.

          Your brake system is under induced pressure from the master cylinder, so pressure would be equal throughout. In your case, you have a restriction in the left side line, so more pressure is required to push the same amount of fluid into that caliper.

          Short answer, yes, you need to clean and or replace the brake lines.
          Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

          When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

          81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
          80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


          Previously owned
          93 GSX600F
          80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
          81 XS1100 Special
          81 CB750 C
          80 CB750 C
          78 XS750

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          • #6
            Originally posted by DGXSER View Post
            For the science geek in me, there is a difference between gravitational pressure and induced pressure. In the two litre bottle. only the pressure on the quantity of water above is pushing the water out the three holes, so there will be a difference in the amount of water that comes from each. If you took the same two litre and put the lid in it and now used say compressed air or similar to push the water out, the streams would equalize.

            Your brake system is under induced pressure from the master cylinder, so pressure would be equal throughout. In your case, you have a restriction in the left side line, so more pressure is required to push the same amount of fluid into that caliper.

            Short answer, yes, you need to clean and or replace the brake lines.
            :thumbup;

            and thanks guys
            79 XS11

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by andylawcc View Post
              i was taking off my calipers, and i notice the brake wear is significantly higher on the pads on the right side than the left. - - -
              Hi Andy,
              you don't say if your bike is a Standard or a Special.
              If it's a Standard, yes, the visual evidence is that one set of pads is wearing faster than the other.
              If it's a Special, it has those Weird Harold swivelling brake calipers that use tapered pads and that may be confusing the issue.
              Either way, clean out the entire brake system and change the stock fabric braided brake lines for stainless steel wire braided brake lines.
              It's not cheap to do but it's well worth it, the brake upgrade is like night and day.
              Fred Hill, S'toon
              XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
              "The Flying Pumpkin"

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