Rear brake caliper sticking?

(FIXED)

Hello

Been having ongoing issues with my rear brakes & I'm about to accept defeat & take to to a healer / mechanic

So last weekend while keeping the brake lines attached, I cleaned my front and rear brake calipers. Cleaned the pads, the caliper body and around the pistons using brake cleaner & soapy water.
I was a little worried that the rear brakes were binding, so after cleaning I decided to test them.
I parked my bike facing down a hill, put the bike into neutral and let it roll down the hill. Not a squeak or any noise was heard so I continued on my ride

20ish miles into my ride I hit slow moving traffic, it was here that I realized that full depressing the rear brake would emit a very audible squealing noise. The brakes were still working, although maybe not as effectively, it's hard to tell as I never rely solely on the rear brakes.

Thought best to return home and then began to push the bike into it's space on my drive.
Pushing the bike forward or backwards makes a horrible squealing sound, like a rusty swing set in a horror film

So I bit the bullet this week & set about rebuilding my brake calipers, front and rear sets.

# Cleaned calipers & seal groves
# replaced the fluid & dust seals
# Polished the piston
# Flushed out the old brake fluid, bleed the system with new fluid

I've not had a chance to ride it yet, but it still doesn't ... feel right
Pushing it back and forth is definitely feels easier than before & the brakes now stop the bike dead.
Maybe it's in my mind, but it still feels abit stiff to freewheel.

So I put the SV on a paddock stand so I can spin the rear wheel.

With Caliper attached:
I can hear the pads lightly brushing the brake disc. Pushing the wheel in the direction of travel and it complete 1/4 of a full turn. Oddly the wheel seems tighter when pushing the wheel in the opposite direction (reversing the bike)

With the caliper complete removed:
The wheel spins freely in both direction and completes 3/4 of a full turn.


Is this normal or should I now be looking hand the work over to someone else?

Thanks & sorry for the essay.

No it should do the best part of a rotation with the caliper attached. You have proved by removing it that it is binding slightly. Im no expert and when ive had brake issues ive done what you have mentioned and it has improved things big time, so perhaps someone will have a bright idea

[aesmith]

Have you checked the pins the caliper slides on, make sure they're not sticking?

[Sid Squid]

3/4 of a turn isn't much if the caliper is completely removed from the disc. You say that the brakes apparently drag more on one direction than the other, are the pads new, and if not are they worn unevenly?

Thanks for the replies guys.

I I've done everything to my knowledge and it's still "binding".
It's definitely not the pad pins, as I've cleaned and lubricated them. The pads themselves are not new, but do have alot of depth. No signs on uneven wear either.
Time to take it to a mechanic, it's no something I want to be gambling with.

Thank You

[aesmith]

Originally Posted by Rogue_Shadow

.. It's definitely not the pad pins ...

I wasn't clear, sorry. I was referring to the pin on which the whole calliper slides. If that's sticking then the brakes will bind just as much as if the piston were sticking. These bits (on a Pointy) ..

Originally Posted by aesmith

I wasn't clear, sorry. I was referring to the pin on which the whole calliper slides. If that's sticking then the brakes will bind just as much as if the piston were sticking. These bits (on a Pointy) ..

Brilliant photo!
Don't get them like that in the Haynes manual of lies.

I cleaned and reapplied grease to all of the above. Judging by what Sid has said, I may have another issue other the caliper causing binding.
Thanks

[Red ones]

Have you had a tyre fitted recently, or any other reason for the wheel to be taken off?

Unfortunately no
Rear tyre hasn't been changed recently, 1 year+

I think I'd put it on the paddock stand and run it, then use the rear brake to slow the wheel, watch and listen.
I suspect cleaning the pads, which I never heard of anybody doing, has created your squeal, and it will go away with some use.