Rear brake locked up!

[Mick]

I'll read through all the posts and learn as much as I can before the replacement unit arrives. Lot of time....

JC, Below are a bunch of links I read and saved when getting ready to replace my SMC several months ago. There's a LOT on the board about this problem. Maybe this will save you a little time:

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?117970-SMC-Replacement

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?106729-Secondary-Master-Cylinder-FAILURE!

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?456-ST1300-Brakes/page6

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?86791-SMC-Rebuild-Kit

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?118588-Advice-SMC-Replaced-Now-Only-Right-Side-Pads-Showing-Wear!

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?120746-Replacing-the-SMC

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?106891-Symptoms-of-Your-SMC-going-South!/page2

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?120665-Brake-bleed-experience&p=1519414&viewfull=1

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?68913-ST1300-Brake-Fluid-Replacement

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?53678-ST1300-Brake-Bleeding-Sequence-Cheat-Sheet

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?112313-Brake-Bleeding-Just-Made-Easier!&highlight

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?99645-How-much-fluid-required-for-change-of-fluid-through-Proportioning-Control-Valve&p=1526365#post1526365

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?101206-ST1300-Rear-Brake-Piston-Cleaning

http://world.honda.com/motorcycle-technology/brake/p5.html#01



Describes deflector shield removal and replacement, & packing bearings w/belray waterproof grease.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?117099-Is-your-rear-brake-dragging

Recommended in the Silcon grease discussion:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/CRC-8-oz-226-796-g-brake-and-caliper-synthetic-grease/_/N-268d?counter=0&filterByKeyWord=silicone+brake+grease&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=826455_0_0&CJPID=4175853&cmpid=cj

Silicon grease discussion;
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?101272-Rear-Brake-Caliper-mounting-bracket-question

 

[dduelin]

The movement of the SMC clevis is a few millimeters. It doesn't move much at all when in good condition.

 

[SpikingJC]

JC, Below are a bunch of links I read and saved ....

OMG! That's a lot to read.

I do have a "what would you do?" question for everyone.

My bike is and '04 with ~11000 miles. The brake fluid was replaced last October, but all the pads are still the original and good amount of life left. I've already decided to replace the front pad while replacing the SMC. Would you replace the rear pads as well? If yes, what are the parts I should replace as well?

I read the crush washers should be replaced, anything else? I'm planning on giving the caliper a good cleaning as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SpikingJC]

It turned out the SMC is perfectly fine. The piston behaves exactly like a new one. I know, because I received the new one today. The problem was traced to the rear caliper stopper bolt backing out completely. See:

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?131165-Draining-brake-fluid-from-rear-outer-pistons&p=1657100&viewfull=1#post1657100

Since I already got the new SMC, it'll go in and I'll have a backup when needed.

If all that has happened was a waste of time chasing after the wrong problem, at least I got to learn about the braking system pretty well.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[Tom Mac 04a]

My question is how does the stoppe bolt back out? Or, is it that it wasn't tightened...