Has anyone had any problems with their master brake cylinder? My brakes started to go soft and didn't release all the way. I heard a noise in the front end and thought it might be a bearing. But upon inspection found the brakes were not releasing all the way. Took it to my dealer and after they looked at it they ordered new parts. Also noticed the same thing happening on their own shop unit and the salesmans 500 auto.

This sounds too much of a coincedent. Does anyone know anything about problems with the master cylinder?

shmoky

 

There have been a few reported problems with the master cylinders on the auto's and 2001 models. So it's nothing new.

 

Mine too... Bill

 

Mine has been replaced. Old style white plastic one. Haven't heard too much about the black metal ones.

Dakota R/T

 

i had the rear master go on my '00 auto. called the dealer, told him i couldn't bleed it out. he ordered one for me and called when it came in. replaced it very promptly under warranty. no problems since......

 

I brought mine to the shop for the same problem. They replaced it with the old white master cylinder. The new black ones look to be better built, becasue it looks like its made stronger then the old ones. The black ones are on back order so they put the white one on, so I can ride it until the 01' one comes in. What is the differance in between the old white ones and the new black ones.
Thanks
01'500 CAT (Shift)

 

I had the same problem of the brakes not releasing. The problem is in the calipers. As the pads wear down more and more of the pistons in the calipers protrude outside of the body of the caliper,which allows dirt water etc to come in contact with more of the exposed piston. On mine it was always the piston on the insides that were slightly seized. I simply squeezed the brake while retaining the other piston and it would pop out.I would then clean it and reinstall it. This would last for about 8 weeks. Last weekend I tired of this situation and did what I think will be the final cure. I made some shims for the brake pads with sheet metal. This takes up the space that the pad did when it was new and puts the pistons back inside the caliper assy. In time as the pads wear down further I will probably have to add another shim. The first time this happened the bike had 1200 miles on it, so if it will go that far again with out the problem I will be happy. Just as a side note the pads are hardly worn at this point maybe 20%and I am now at 1600 miles. Hope this helps

Cheers Jim