I finally narrowed down a clicking noise in the front end of my 2005 XB9SX Lightning when I apply the brakes and push on the bars loading the front suspension. The bike has 9,000 miles on it. I originally thought it was the steering head bearing but the bearing is fine and so are the engine isolator mounts. Turns out the brake pads (EBC HH pads with 4,000 miles on them and installed with the factory backing shims) are very slights rocking back and forth in the caliper. With the brake off I can very slightly move the brake pads (both inner and outer) back and forth with my hand. The pads are making good contact with the rotor when the brakes are not applied (you can hear the pads touching the rotor when you spin the wheel) but I still don't feel the pads should be able to be rocked back and forth even slightly. When the brakes are applied, especially slightly, it makes a loud clicking noise from the pads moving in the caliper until they bite the rotor. Has anyone experienced this? Is the caliper pin or pad holding spring shot?
Sounds like the brakes are functioning as intended.
Over the years, brakes seem to getting designed with more & more play in them to allow for heat expansion of the components.
The noise you describe occurs on every bike I have owned made in the past 10 years, including my XB, and the Brembo brakes (which have magical ****ing stopping power btw) on the new BMW I just purchased 3 months ago.
Yea actually I believe I am expereiencing the same thing and was really curious as to what it was. I thought it was my left fork bottoming out because I have been leaking fork oil now for a few months ( will be replacing this week), but I guess its the brakes. I never heard it before with my other brake pads which I just threw out a month ago.
anyone else?
I had the EBC HH put on my bike a few weeks ago, and I have/had the same scenario. Overall it has gotten better...and had them look at them again...but everything seems to be in order. Just a different way of wearing in I guess.
It sounds like your brake hardware is wore out.
Matt
I have the same noise on both my buells when hard braking, never really thought to much about it.
I am pretty sure I am in the same boat as you. Exact same noise in same situations. I thought it was steering head bearing and was gonna tear it apart this weekend but may have to do some research and watch this forum.
I just put EBC pads on my bike today and noticed the clicking noise when squeezing the front brake...hopefully it's just that the pads need to be bedded in.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote