Front brake problems

[dan twomey]

Recently I changed my front fork seals.  The second time I've had to change them within 4000 miles.  When I put the bike back together, I figured it was a good time to drain and replace the brake fluid, as it was getting a bit dark.  I changed the fluid with DOT 4, bled the system and now it doesn't seem like the front brakes have as much grip as the used to.  There is still some life left in the front pad, but I seem to be pulling the brake handle father and harder than I did before with less results.....any thoughts?

[dgc67]

I have been told that if you are going to change from DOT 3 to DOT 4 you HAVE to make certain you get ALL the old DOT 3 out.  meaning you have to somehow flush the system really thoroughly.  Something about the 2 not being chemically compatible and causing some type of fluid failure and , if I am remembering correctly, possible system failures.

[TLRam1]

DOT 3 & 4 I believe are glycol based and compatible while DOT 5 is silicone based and not compatible with any other brake fluid.

Bleed bleed bleed, depending where your banjo is you might take your caliper off rotate and tap with a screw driver to jog air bubbles caught in high corners.