Hey guys, it's been a while since I have been on here.

Having some problems with with my '05 Brute Force that I was hoping you could help me diagnose.

1.) Stuck Brakes: Rear brakes work great in the spring/summer/fall conditions. But as soon as it's cold and snowy, the rear brake sticks. For those fammiliar with the brakes on the Brutes, the rear brake is that internal-style (direct driveline?) brake. When I squeeze the brake lever , it doesnt return and the brakes are constantly engaged. The motor CAN overcome the brakes, but naturally there is significant power loss. I can reach underneath to the brake mechanism itself is and pull the assembly (where the cables hook to) back into the disengaged position. But obviously this only helps until the NEXT time i use the brakes.

I can't quite tell if it is a cable issue or the internal brake itself. Which one is more commonly the issue? Maybe the cable has water in the housing and when it freezes, doesnt allow the brake to disengage? Or maybe there is something wrong with the internal brake?

(RANT: I don't understand why they went with this style in the first place, seeing how there is so much involved in getting at the brake itself!! Why couldnt they just have gone with disks in the rear!?)

2.) Power Loss: So on a potentially related issue... I was riding the quad in the snow the other day, and really romping on it to get through the powder. Every so often the motor would race and i would lose power/traction (no, i wasn't just peeling out!). It would only happen for an istant... almost like a "studder". Could this be the clutch slipping? Or the belt slipping? Is this somewhat "normal" given the extra toll the sticky brakes could have been taking on the motor, as well as having to power through the snow? There was no additional "noise" other than the race of the motor.

Thanks in advance for the help guys!

 

jeez, nothing huh!?

 

I would try some WD-40 into the cables at both ends, this would flush out any water in the cable housing. I had to do this on my Prarie 360.

As far as the other....might be belt slipage??? I'm not sure.....

 

just found out my buddy with an '08 brute had the same issue with the rear brake cable. Replaced it himself. $100 for the cable, and a huge PITA to replace. Damn!