My Cat is a 2004 model 500I and the brakes still suck. Push the foot brake and it goes clear to the frame.
And yes I have bleed the brakes and adjusted the kinkage.

 

couple questions does the hand brake work ok?if so does the 2004s still have a cable working the back brake? my back brake never really work well on my 02 375 then i got a rock hung up in the right rear wheel and broke the foot brake housing off so i just disconectted it. i went to my dealer and they told me i could replace if i wanted to for 90.00 but if i didn't ride in any mountains i wouldn't need it. they said it was there to use if the hand brake went out sounds crazy to me huh


02 375 4x4 auto
itp589s
custom front bumper
2000# winch

 

The back brake is mechanical and almost useless. It works on a disc, not like a drum brake. You will not be able to apply enough pressure to hold the quad in many situations. Be happy with the hydraulic system. It works really well. Drums would give you problems you don't want to consider.
Chuck

 

idahogold,
I would take it to your dealer and have them check it. Most of us have the mechanical rear brake and they have never worked worth a darn. Since A/C went with a hydraulic Auxiliary Brake unit on the 04 I would think it should stop you properly.

 

I though you said, "FOOT BRAKE" which is mechanical. I haven't seen the hydraulic foot brake for the rear on A/C's. If that is what you have, I was wrong and sorry about misleading you.
Chuck

 

just buy a brushgaurd then you won;t need to stop! LOL

 

idahogold I was told by my dealer that the foot brake was only good for staying still when already stopped
It wasn't designed for heavy stopping ,just for putting around at 2 or 3 mph .
Basically what it boils down to is it's useless .
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

The 04 A/Cs have a hydrolic Auxiliary Brake (foot brake). 96 to 03 have machanical foot brake.

 

If adjusted properly cable and hyd rear brakes should have enough bite to slide the tires . We replace the rear pads with a metallic pad after they wear out the first set and this adds to the braking ability. The hand brake does have a lot more braking power but the foot brake should bite hard.

 

I got my rear brake to work finally. Had to dissconnect the linkage and pump /bleed the brakes and then reinstall. Still wont lock up the tires , but will slow you down.