2011 ZX10R ABS brake malfunction question.

evoempire777

Active member
Hi everyone. Had a situation with my brake. I'd like to get an input here.

Always been wondering if there are any comparable stock brembo MC's, like the R1/R6 MC on 06 07 ZX10 for this model?

On the hwy the left caliper seized 40% and lost MC pressure 100%. After letting it cool for 15min all was back to normal. Below is some background in the last 3mo to today.

2011 with 28k miles
All stock except EBC pads.
I never use rear brake. So always hard on the front.
Fluid is orangish.
OEM brake lines (never felt anything less being rubber) it has strong brakes. But for safety I will change them. Along with fresh fluid.

Last time changing the pads it was at night low light. I forgot to open the reservoir 🤦‍♂️ pushed the calipers, THEN opened reservoir. Installed the HH379 pads, but forgot to take the shims out (never had shims always strong trail braker) on the left while super dark, instead of caliper bolt, I loosened the brake line to caliper bolt, about 30 drops leaked out, I bled the system ONCE and moved on.

After about 1000 miles of riding in 3mo. Brakes felt slightly pressured. When cold, always spongy feel, but could built it up with high temp. Today as usual the sponge feel goes away with couple strong test brakes (lifting the rear 2nd 3rd gear) to heat up. once heated, leaver comes up x2.
0 brake fluid leak on the outside btw.

Today the left caliper felt 40% stuck mid hwy. Got off the exit, left caliper was smoking. Overheated, then I lost 100% feel in the master cylinder. Couldn't build pressure at all. So let it cool. Rode it home with just rear. Mid ride, I realized the front brake came back to normal. Pressure is there like normal. Problem is still there. Gonna service the whole thing wondering is it the Caliper or MC? If not caliper why MC had 0 pressure, once cooled came back 100% 🤷‍♂️

Going to change the fluid 1st thing. Then bleed it. But I'm guessing not removing the reservoir prior to caliper decompression, damaged the caliper? MC?

Thanks
 
Last edited:

scootergmc

old and slow
Hard saying, but it sounds like you either have air in the line, your calipers need to be rebuilt, both, or neither. Your caliper piston seals (square cut orings) could be bad thereby failing to retract the pistons. You could be pushing air in the lines giving it the spongy feel. The spongy feel could be a result of air in the master cylinder that you failed to bleed. If it was me, I'd swap fluid, bleed the entire system and check results.
 

evoempire777

Active member
Hard saying, but it sounds like you either have air in the line, your calipers need to be rebuilt, both, or neither. Your caliper piston seals (square cut orings) could be bad thereby failing to retract the pistons. You could be pushing air in the lines giving it the spongy feel. The spongy feel could be a result of air in the master cylinder that you failed to bleed. If it was me, I'd swap fluid, bleed the entire system and check results.

Yes it actually was both. So the spongy feel was air in the system. Changed with fresh fluid and bled it. The sticking caliper, gunk all around the piston caps built up and cooked due to constant heat especially left side, I took them out, pressed the lever so they come out,, sprayed Motul chain degreaser on them and rubbed then caps once all the gunk is cleaned put it back together and works like a dream now. Thank you.
 

islemann

Re Tired Not Dead
evoempire - next time you do brake work, do yourself a safety favor and use the proper chemicals to do the cleaning. Brake clean (insert similar sounding band name here) solvents will not affect the rubber bits. Other chemical cleaners may or may not. Problems can include hardened seals, or seals that turn to mush and don't seal anymore. Don't take the chance by just grabbing the most convenient cleaner handy.
 

evoempire777

Active member
evoempire - next time you do brake work, do yourself a safety favor and use the proper chemicals to do the cleaning. Brake clean (insert similar sounding band name here) solvents will not affect the rubber bits. Other chemical cleaners may or may not. Problems can include hardened seals, or seals that turn to mush and don't seal anymore. Don't take the chance by just grabbing the most convenient cleaner handy.

Wasn't born yesterday. I have some 100k miles on 1000s so far so good. been working on cars for at least 15 years and 10 years on my bikes. The ONLY thing that I call a proper degreaser its the Motul chain cleaner (rubber safe) I had to rub the hell out of the piston caps getting the gunk off. Brakes work like a dream. Working on high end customers cars you learn to use each chemical accordingly. And apart from Petroleum chemicals the absolute best degreaser is Zap from home depot
 
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