My brakes have been kind of slipping lately. They're not slowing down as much as they used to, slowly getting worse. While loading up on the trailer, I was in the driveway up at that cabin, had to back up a steep rocky hill at a sharp angle, then continue backing up a tree, with the 'Cat damn near standing on it's nose, in order to get the ramps under the tires. With the park brake fully locked on, she started rolling forward a bit. It never used to do that before, no matter how steep it was. Dad's 'Cat held perfect in that same position. Is it possible that the pads have been "glazed", or whatever you call it? How should I go about resolving this issue? The pads look to be fine in thickness-they're not worn out anyway-should I take them apart and lightly sand them with a real fine sand paper like 220 grit or finer to "mar" the surface slightly, or what?

Any suggestions would be great-need my stopping power for holding on steep hills!

Thanks again,

Mike

 

You might be haveing the brake lines getting old and stretching. Or maybe the brake pads are just getting thin enough that they just don't hold as much as they used to.

 

Cowboy, I've always used sand paper to rough up my pads and rotor. I would probably use a little coarser paper such as 150-200. If you take the pads off get a sheet of sand paper and lay it down on a flat surface and then moving the pad rough up the pad, this will keep the pad from being sanded crooked. Still all you want to do is take the shine off the brake pads. Then using a swirling type finish sand the rotor. Put them back on and reburnish the pads. Hope this helps

 

Cummins-
Thanks for the tip! They are VERY shiny and slick, which made me wonder if the pad itself had "candied over" or glazed, whatever you call it. I wasn't sure how fine of paper to use, so if the 150-200 will work, I've got some of that laying around the garage already. Will give that a shot first, then if that don't work, guess I'll have to go with Boners route-though I hate spending money I don't have!

If the pads do need replacing, any thoughts of which to use? Standard AC pads, or some aftermarket replacements? I've got over 1,200 miles on these-which seems pretty good from seeing others posts.

Thanks again, Best of Luck

Mike

 

Sorry don't have a clue as to what brake pad to go with. Sounds like you get pretty good prices from your dealer so I would stick with them probably. Good luck

 

Mike,
You might want to try Bleeding your lines. The master cylinder fluid level might look OK but it sounds to me like you have a air bubble in your line. Boner is right the lines will strech requiring more fluid. Also tipping the bike over or just tipping on its side air in the master cylinder can git in the lines. Both the Warpony and LittleBad was doing this bleeding them took care of this.

 

I'M WITH SCOTTO....SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU GOT AIR IN YOUR SYSTEM, I WOULD TRY TO SAND THEM TOO, BUT REALLY DONT THINK IT WILL HELP. WHEN YOU APPLY YOUR BRAKES IT ACTS LIKE A VISE ON THE ROTOR, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT YOU DONT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE SQUEEZING THE PADS. HOPE YOU GET IT, GOOD LUCK DAVE[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]




2001 500 AUTO

 

After reading both Scotto and Mainehunter's posts, I think I've decided I've got rocks in my head. Since you mention it, I hadn't really paid much attention to it before, but my brake lever has been a little "squishy" lately. Sometimes it will pull back very smoothly and easily, while other times it will be hard, stiff-like it normally used to be. Yet, when I "pump" the lever a bit, it will start out being very easy to pull, then require more pressure. Sounds exactly like my truck when the brakes needed to be bled! Boy I feel like an idiot now! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] The fluid level is about halfway between the "full" and "low" marks. Maybe when I rolled the 'Cat the last time, the air in the resivoir got into the lines??? Combine that with when I just had it backed strait up the tree, air could have easily got in there as well-hummmmm... Guess I'd better try that first, then the sanding bit-the combination of the two should surely cure my "lack of holding on steep hill" problem. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

Sure as hell not being the brightest light on the porch, I really appreciate all your help. Soon as I have time to look into it further, I'll let ya know the results.

Thanks again,

Mike

 

Cowboy, Arctic Cat has a common problem with the master cylinder sticking. The master cyl that has a all black reservior is the one that has the most problems. You quad appears in the picture to have the white reservior.If your brakes are glazed they may have been sticking. Check with your dealer. They may have a update kit to install in your master cylinder. It is supposed to be a possible recall and should be installed free of charge. I have had a friend have this done. Good luck. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]