I have a 2007 Tundra with 79K miles on it. 90% of the miles on it has been with my boat or camper hooked to it & the other 10% has been used to take trash off or trips to Lowes. This past summer I have made a lot more fishing trips to the coast than usual since I got my new boat. The last time I rotated my tires I looked at my brake pads & the front were getting close to needing new ones & the back ones were still in great shape since they hadn’t been that long been changed. Early last week I went to the beach to pick up a camper my Father n law had purchased, his new brake control he ordered was running late so I went for him. Half way home my brakes stared making noises so I thought it is time to change my front pads then around 15 miles from home they got bad & started making noises even when I was not braking. When I got home I checked out the front pads & they were worn out so I got some new ones & put on. As I pulled off the truck was still make terrible noises. Jacked up front again & turned wheels & no noise. Jacked up back & there it was. The driver side was not too bad but the back passenger side sounded terrible. Inspected the pads & the outer pads were less than half left which should have been better than that. The inner pad on the driver side was gone & the passenger side was nothing but metal left. The rotor was shot & my rubber broke hose was good but the connectors on the ends were bad rusted but no leaks. After close inspection both my caliper pistons had locked up. The driver side was stuck & I got it to break loose but the passenger side would only move in 1/8" & that was it. I ended up changing rotors, calipers, pads & lines on both rear sides. Job was not that bad but it was hell breaking the caliper bolts loose. Dropped truck, drove off & still noises. Looked again & the passenger side was still making noises when I spun the tire. Pulled wheel still noises, pulled caliper still noise, pulled rotor NO noise. Looked around for a while & then I found a piece of broken brake pad wedged in
I don’t know many people that do it but brake fluid is actually a service item. I was taught many years ago that you flush it every other year. I think now manufacturers will say 4-5 years. Brake fluid is one of those things that will absorb moisture I’d say old brake fluid is the major cause of all caliper lock ups. Other than the rubber line deteriorating internally. Don’t forget to clean and lube your caliber slide bolts.
I use a vacuum pump and rarely have anyone pumping brakes anymore.
I never would have thought the fluid could absorb moisture but it is definitely a good idea to replace the fluid regularly. I did blead the rear ones well since I had to replace the lines. I may go back & blead the front ones just to clean out the system.
I did cut the old lines up just to see if there was any stopped up sections or deterioration & the inside looked good.
I feel like in this situation all the deterioration was on the metal parts & feel like it probably came from the salt since it was only this bad on the rear end of the truck.
Thanks,
[navy]Sportsman Masters 207 Yamaha F150[/navy]
Learned my lesson a year ago about brake fluid. Hit the front brake on the bike and it would not release.Nothing like being stuck at the intersection on highway 17. Had to crack the bleeders to get it to release.
Got it home opened up the master cylinder the brake fluid had gelled. The springs had rusted and The return passage was stopped up… I had always seen in the service manuals where It told you to change the brake fluid. Always thought that was a gotcha deal.But apparently not.
Areeldrag
It’s good to see people still able to do their own repairs and are willing to…
I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.
22 life’s a day
When I checked my levels I did not notice the fluid looking strange nor when I was bleeding it, the level was on the low side but not below the min level. I see why it was low since I basically had no pads left & the calipers where all the way extended.
OTC,
I am thankful nothing like that happened, I wouldn’t want to imagine no brakes or brakes locking up in an intersection…
My wife brakes are coming up soon & I will do her fluid then as well.
I have a hard time paying the prices they ask for to do repairs if there is anyway I can do them myself. I have found oil changes are typically reasonable priced & can get it done for not much more than I could do it myself but most other stuff have way too high $ / hour. If I don’t know how I typically go to YouTube. Then I decide from there if it is something I can tackle myself.
Thanks guys.
[navy]Sportsman Masters 207 Yamaha F150[/navy]
Oil changes are cheap specially when they screw with you for places to dump used oil. Make sure you check the filter/plug and cap though when they done
Wifes car has had all 3 issues at 3 different places.
Peeps don’t give a stool anymore about their work anymore.
The ENTER-NET Fisherman
Reeldrag, seeing your fluid level down is and knowing your vehicle is the easiest way to know your brake pad life. Used to be a mechanic would open the bleeder to push the pads or shoes back in. Now most just press them in never opening the system to have to add new fluid.
Like otc said, good to see people still able to work on there own stuff! Lots of opportunities out there for a youngster willing to get greasy. Sure you now have to know your way around a computer for many repairs, but when you see a rod hanging out a block no amount of computer learning will fix that. Many mechanic (specially field and EPG) pulling 6 figures.
Yeah, with new motors it seems like they are controlled more by computer parts & less by mechanical parts. Makes it hard to diagnose & fix your own vehicle. I have found one of the biggest headaches is all these emission programs they have been adding over the past years that can make it go into a “limp” mode. The vehicle will run fine but the computer tells it not to, can be frustrating.
I have that on my truck as well, to replace the parts myself would cost $1800 & to have a dealer do it would be $2700. I found a module that can be added to trick the computer for $400. This has become such a huge issue with new vehicles that people have actually invested time & $ to make cheats for all the unnecessary crap that has been added & thank god for that.
[navy]Sportsman Masters 207 Yamaha F150[/navy]
My 2006 ultra classic is fuel injection. From 2000 to 2006 had timing chain tensioner issues. The rub pad wears out at about 30,000 miles. Also the cam bearings. Coming up on 60,000 miles so going to upgrade.
S&s makes what they call the Big bore kit. It eliminates the tensioner and goes to gear drive. Comes with cylinders, Pistons,cams, bearings gasket the whole nine yards. No head work 20 horsepower increase. Already have upgraded exhaust and breather.
Where things get a little gray for me is flashing/tuning the computer. I see they have tuners for around $250 that Bluetooth to your phone. The ones with the screens are around $400 to $1000.
The reviews on all of them are all over the board.
Fred. any tips or suggestions on flashing the computer.
I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.
22 life’s a day
OTC, There are a bunch of tuners on the market, but I’d Give Vance and Hines a call and tell them exactly what your are doing and looking for.
Even better if they are still open give BLACK JACK HARLEY-DAVIDSON 843-669-9961 a call they are in Florence. My old boss used them a couple times. I believe he used a TTS Master Tuner. You can get a generic tune to get her running, but you can never beat a good dyno tune specifically for YOUR ride.
I wish I knew more about tuning, but there are a lot of variables in fuel and timing maps that can cause major engine damage if you don’t know what you are doing. I don’t. The only thing I mess with is simple stuff like speed limit, rpm set points, gear ratios for tire size, some shift points, Etc. My luck I’d lean one out too much and burn a piston.
ReelDrag, I could talk for a long time on the headaches of “derated” engines due to emission /DEF issues and the ensuing down time from them. I’ve now purchased a new scan tool and software to due forced regens and many other things that only a dealer was able to do. Cost a bit, but almost paid for now. CAT quit making Truck engines in for the U.S. due to the cost of meeting U.S. emissions. They are pumping out hundreds of “old” mechanical Engines every day and shipping them to China, India, South America… all still using high sulfur fuels.
Got a Dodge 5500, just about out of warranty, when it is it will get a complete delete. I’ve seen as much as a 6mpg improvement… not to mention the power increases… No black smoke either. Unless you want it.
Now thats thecwsy to go. Get rid of all those BS programs the computer is running that motor doesn’t really need.
[navy]Sportsman Masters 207 Yamaha F150[/navy]
I’d love to just get rid of the computer completely. When it comes to all this stuff.
I’m about as lost as a blind queer and a weenie roast!!!
Hey Fred never thought of contacting the manufacturer. Sent S&S an email this morning. They responded in just a few minutes. Was told when I decided what kit I was going to install they could help me out with a baseline. Was also told that could help me out deciding what kit to install. I can either email or call the number they sent. Tell the technician what I’m trying to get out of the bike and my riding style.They could set me up with a kit the best suit my needs. Sounds like they got pretty jam up customer service… And their stuff is MANUFACTURED IN THE GOOD OLD USA… Harley’s maybe assembled in the United States. But they come with a hodgepods of parts from all over the world. And to top it off their dealerships are set up like a mall. Had my oil changed here in Greenville last week. Wandered around looking at the new bikes. Asked one of the salesman the price on one of the bikes he tells me around $40,000. And walks away.Wouldn’t ride one of these new pieces of crap if someone give it to me. Fellow walks in with his little slick back hair his collar shirt and little pointy shoes. Salesman all over his ass offering him coffee and pastries. Went and paid for my oil change told the old dude at the service counterI guess your sales guys don’t like dirty old bikers. He laughed and said. brother it’s a different world than you and me grew up in.
I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.
22 life’s a day
OtC, it sure is a different time and place. You ever been to Sturgis? I’ve been once. Actually borrowed a Harley to go in the late 80’s. I had a Jap bike and was told correctly … Do not show up with it. Back then they still had the Jap Bike Bon Fire. Today It is multi racial, as needs to be. Harley is not the blood and glory American made Bike it once was. Frame is Honda, parts made in Mexico, electronics from Japan and else where… But assembled in America.
Man I’m sad we did not have more time in person to actually talk. I still can’t believe it was actually you and I in the va Waiting room! 
So sorry we did not have the opportunity to shake hands. You seldom get to meet a person like a radio host or such in person… you envision a face. You get it all wrong. When I saw you, you matched pretty close to a vision. Take care OTC!
Life is Good. Fried Pork Chops are Great!
Nothing wrong with JAP BIKES.
Faster and less maintenance …and more agile.
Nothing sounds like a Harley…when it’s right.
Form versus Function…choices.
The ENTER-NET Fisherman
Didn’t mean to give you the impression I was down on jap bikes. I’m not a Harley man. When the wife and I did a lot of poker runs I always stayed away from the harleys, unless they were quiet. To each there own!
The sad thing is the rice burners are probably better quality motorcycles than the Harleys are now…
Did the Sturgis thing about 35 years ago. Talking about it at the bar and got a wild hair… closed the bar out. Went home slept a couple hours and road straight through to Sturgis.
Back in the day if you would have showed up with a rice burner it would have ended up on the roof or hanging from the ceiling in the bar…
We don’t do much of any bike week events even the Myrtle Beach stuff anymore.
I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.
22 life’s a day
Only once for myself as well I was 22, so dang close to the time you went there. I remember a big bonfire with a jap bike on top. I also remember seeing as many bear breast as I did for Mardi gra. I’m told you see as many gold wings and such as you do harleys.
On a side note I friend just got a new Indian scout, nice ride.
My doctor rides a scout pretty nice little bike. I did a project in Seneca a couple years ago. The board president went to Daytona riding a ultra classic. Did a test ride on an Indian. Come back on a new Indian Roadmaster. Heated grips heated seat. That bike would do everything but give you sex.
I believe most everything for Indians are made in the USA. I think they’re owned by Polaris.
One thing I can say about Harley though. They will store a deployed troops sickle for free.
I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.
22 life’s a day