My P650 is now almost 1 year old and has 1,035 miles on it. I have noticed over the past 2 or 3 months that my rear brakes have gotten much weaker than they used to be and found that adjusting the slack out of the linkage has not made them stronger. I can slam on the rear brakes and my quad continues to roll forward for a little distance and then my quad will gradually slow down. It feels like the rear pads/pressure plates are very worn out or something.

Today, I called the largest Kaw dealership in my area to inquire about how often other Prairie owners have been changing their rear brake pads/pressure plates (or whatever is used in the sealed, rear wet brake)...I was told that I would be the first one they replace for wear and tear... they also suggested the possibility that my rear brakes may need to be repaired.

Has anyone else on this forum had to change out their P650/P700 rear brake pads/pressure plates due to normal wear and tear OR because their rear brake broke? If so, how many miles did you get out of the original rear brakes? I'm trying to figure out if its normal to replace the rear pads/pressure plates at only 1,000 miles. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

20,000km 1000 hours still working... Now mine never did lock up 100% but they are pretty damn good.... don't use my brakes much thou with the engine brake. Try looking at your cable too. I was thinking back in December to tear it appart because the manual says 12000km but since it's working I'm leaving it alone.

 

I have noticed that if I dont change my rear diff fluid enough my brakes tend to get a little spongy. If I change the fliud they seem to come right back...

 

PrairieDust,
That's a good thought, but I think the dealer recently changed the rear fluid as part of the 100 hour maintenance service... if so that can't be the reason. I noticed it was just as weak before and after the 100 hour maintenance service. I'm starting to think something is broken!

 

MIKEY... the front diff-lock is sensitive to fluid level for proper function... perhaps your rear diff level is low enough to effect brake performance... or since it takes special rear diff fluid, & you recently had the 100 hour service, at the dealership, is it at all possible that the dealership did not put in the proper fluid ... ( no Mike, that could never happen ... OK you are right Mike, I should have never doubted the dealership service tech ... MIKEY, that could never happen, so you can eliminate that one...Not... )... mine has about 1300 miles of hard use, but I'll admit that I rarely use the rear brakes, normally I use a combo of the front brakes & KBEC, since riding hard, I'm normally in 2 WD... I seem to remember only 1 guy ever having to rebuild his rear brake, since I became active on the forums...

 

Mike W,

I will admit there is always the chance that the dealership technician screwed up...but I am very selective about the dealership that works on my quad (in fact, I drive over an hour each way to go to this one dealership even tho there are several closer Kaw. dealerships near me). All the techs in this particular shop have several years experience working on quads, so I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt this time.

Like you, I have only heard of 1 guy that needed to rebuild his rear P650 brake on these atv forums. That makes me wonder if mine are somehow in need of a repair. However, I will also have to admit that I use my rear brakes alot...especially when at high speeds and often while in 4x4 mode (like in XC racing). During my (2 hour) GNCC race last January, I noticed my rear breaks went from mildly weak to noticeably weak by the end of the race (and yes, I was using my rear brake alot during that race). Ever since that time, my brakes have continued to be noticeably weak so I just assumed they were wore out.

Anyone else out there had a weak rear brake on their P650/P700?

 

MIKEY... have you checked the rear diff fluid level ???

 

Not since I had the 100 hour service done (about 10 hours of use since that time). I'll go home and check that tonite to see if its low. I'm guessing it would have to be very low for it to make the brakes as week as they are now.

 

Are you sure some dingy, young, underpaid, undertrained kid didn't put gear oil in the diff? I guess it could have been a curmudgeon that did it too. Teenagers aren't the only people that screw things up.

(No offense intended to any forum subscribers that are young, underpaid, undertrained and otherwise dingy)

 

My 03 650's brakes have always been a little weak compared to the others I have ridden. It has been this way since it was new. I change the oil regularly and keep it adjusted. My park brake wont hold very well even when adjusted tight.