Ok last night ride got a little tricky when all of a sudden my hand brakes became very spongey and had nearly no brakes. 2005 Sportsman 700 EFI. I have to confess never doing anything with brakes before and have original fluid, prolly not good. Anyway after nursing it back to the house, I noticed the hand lever developed pressure again and the brakes were working again. I am gonna be replacing pads front and rear and flush fluid. I was thinking the EBC sintered pads as my replacement.. But do you think I may have a master cylinder issue? Maybe something hanging up inside or something that eventually freed itself up and began to work again? If so where would be the best place to get a new master cylinder? Thanks...

John

 

After 10 years yes I think it's time.. When this happens usually the master cylinder seals can start sucking air,leaking down pressure. First off check the master cylinder. If you haven't touched it fluid will probably be low and dark.Check around the calipers for any obvious fluid leaks. Ebc is about as good as it get imo for pads. We sold more of them than anything else. Master cylinder rebuild kits aren't cheap,but cheaper than a new brake assembly. Here's one listing. You might check around for cheaper prices on this part #,plus I'd use dot 4 fluid. 2202410 KIT-PISTON,3/4" MSTR CYL $69.29

 

I had something like this happen as well.... it was intermittent pressure or i would pull the handbrake and it would hold pressure at a level and then lose pressure. I ended up replacing the entire handbrake. I would do pads first and then see what you get.

Here is the complete brake assembly if it turns out not to be the pads.

Part number 2010238

New Polaris Front Brake Master Cylinder Left Sportsman Magnum Trail Boss Lewel | eBay

 

Thanks guys for your responses...I think I'm gonna get all new pads and the rebuild kit for the MC...

John

 

guess it would be bad seal in the m/c. check for leaks which I'm sure you already did.

 

Thanks Steve...I might just spring for the whole assembly cause mine is pretty messed up on the outside, paint all peeled off and it looks cruddy... lol.. But yea no other leaks anywhere that I could see...

John

 

thats what i did john on my old bike i had. i just replaced the whole thing as sometimes if you dont get rubbers just right or nick one wrong screwed. ya and i wanted it pretty as well lol

 

Hey OPT... Would I be able to use dot 5 seeing it's synthetic?

John

 

[QUOTE=JCDEYO25;3310125] Would I be able to use dot 5 seeing it's synthetic?


You can put DOT 4 in place of Dot 3 but not the other way around. DOT 5 is not interchangeable or compatible with DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 fluids and can cause catastrophic system failure. Dot 3, 4, and 5.1 are glycol ether based. They are compatible, but like motor oils, you should use the recommended or higher grade fluid. Strange as it seems dot 5.1 can be used but NOT dot 5.

 

Ok thank you...


John