Had an awful rattle coming from the front caliper (Banana) and took it apart to find the spring broken. Looked for a new spring on line and the only ones I could find was on e bay for $20 or more which I thought was a little pricey for what it is. I glued a kick stand rubber bumper to the fork leg and went ahead and put it back together with new brake pads and no rattle. Do you guys think I need the spring or am I over thinking this. Or is there a better fix
What kind of spring, the hairpin kind or the flat bent sheet metal one?
The caliper has to be free to move on the pins. I was using the flat metal one, and wore out a brake pad in short order. I found a factory hairpin set up, and it's been working great. A rubber bumper might work, if you can keep it in place and it's not preloading the caliper.
-JW
It was the flat one. I've seen the hail pin ones but don't see how they would work. I have also always worn out the back pad first and didn't think about the spring causing the caliper to not float enough
Once again I maybe over thinking this
Do you lube your large pins with anything? I've used disc brake caliper grease which is a synthetic. Will help slow pin and bushing wear and also make caliper move as it should when brake is applied.
Way back it seems I had to drill the front caliper to use the hairpin type spring. All new pins and bushings go a long way to quieting that rattle too.
That's correct, you have to drill out that boss on the lower left side to mount the hairpin. I thought it would look dorky, but actually you don't even notice it that much unless you're looking for it. I found trying to mount the caliper with that bent metal spring a real pain in the butt. The hairpin is a breeze.
-JW
:up: :up:
I like the hair pin idea. Where do you find it. Looking at J&P and e-bay all I see is for the back caliper
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Harley-Davidson-Brake-Caliper-Anti-vibration-Kit-1973-80-FL-FX-41670-73-B-/172259049365
The other way is to the local HD dealer, ask if they have p/n 41670-73 in stock, and when they say no, ask them to search on the HD parts web and see who does. Then call them and order it.
-JW
For $9 I'd be grabbing that one if I still had the banana calipers. Drill a hole in the boss on the nanner and rest the leg on the wheel spacer. I can testify it works.
Me too. Front brake is complete silent on mine, and the pads last as you would expect. Putting the caliper on or off is a breeze, just loosen the bolt on the spring, snap it off the axle spacer, and take the caliper off per normal procedure. None of that fighting to get it on or off as is done with the flat metal spring.
-JW
Thanks Guys. I ordered the spring. I knew I could count on you guys :teeth:
Thanks to JW113 I now know how to install the spring. That spring was included in a repo banana caliper I bought and no directions on how to install it. The service manual or parts manual were no help. Thanks!