Last year first day of trip my wife accidentally (actually it was more my fault) rode for a stretch with parking brake applied on our F8, realized this when she had little of no brake. Caliper was very hot, allowed it to cool obviously before continuing and threw snow on it once cooled a bit to accelerate cooling process. Never lost any fluid, brakes worked fine for next 1000 miles we put on. I will be changing pads as I am finally getting to PM our sleds, my question is and I am assuming she lost brake because we boiled the fluid and even though they worked fine there after would it be best to change that fluid or is it resilient enough to be ok?
question on brake fluid
- Thread starter euphoric1
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Never hurts to flush and change. It might not be needed, but it won't hurt. I've been a little hard on toys over the years and pushed to the point of fading brakes. (Usually the pads lose their grip first, then the lever gets soft.) I've been able to keep running after cooling most of the time. But, I've had a few times that the system had enough bubbles to make the lever remain soft. I did a quick fill and bleed before going out for another long run.
You mention the brakes worked fine after cooling. I assume that means good pressure on the lever too. I wouldn't even let her ride the thing if the lever has lost pressure. There could be another issue with soft pressure on the lever. Warped rotor. Usually, you can feel that in the brake lever if you hold it slightly while riding. It is rare on sleds, but I've seen it happen with a parked cool down.
You mention the brakes worked fine after cooling. I assume that means good pressure on the lever too. I wouldn't even let her ride the thing if the lever has lost pressure. There could be another issue with soft pressure on the lever. Warped rotor. Usually, you can feel that in the brake lever if you hold it slightly while riding. It is rare on sleds, but I've seen it happen with a parked cool down.
No brakes had good pressure no warped rotor either, allowed to cool for a while before throwing some snow on, didn't want to quench or warp, I think I will just flush fluid to be sure, wanted to change pads just incase integrity of them changed. but yes, good feel in lever and no pulsating in lever or brake when slowing.
Wow did u get lucky...I had a guy do that when I was guiding a group on lolo pass...the rotor melted the oil tank and then sled....flame on...fire out the hood....we got it out but it melted the wires...so put oil in gas tank shook sled...used rope to start...drove 25 miles to ranger station to pick it up...arctic cat of course....tougher than nails....change the fluid for sure...plus u better run it for the 1st hundred miles IMO
That's what she gets for trying to run me over in 2019
oops...don't tell her I said that 