Front Brake Judder - The Cure!

**stevel** · 10 Sep 07, 09:55 AM

I know this has been covered before, but it's worth repeating as I've just found out. Owners are frequently told that they need new brake discs because a judder can be felt through the lever, and there's an assumption that the discs are warped. In some cases, the reason is that the bobbins that the discs are mounted on are fouled up, and the disc can't float any more
Mine were like this over the weekend, so I used a stud extractor in a slow speed drill running in reverse, and while the bobbin is slowly spinning, rinse it with soapy water from a squeeze bottle.....no need for brake cleaner etc! All the crud washes out, only takes 20 secs per bobbin, and the difference is really NIGHT AND DAY!.....totally smooth afterwards, no judder, and a few hundred quid saved

.
If doing them this way, don't spin them too fast or without a good rinse, as they can build-up friction and get very hot. Also some people mount the bobbin on a small bolt with a nut, but that takes a lot of fiddling each time....stud extractor method takes seconds each bobbin.
Give it a shot - huge improvement and easily done

**MarkST** · 10 Sep 07, 10:46 AM

Sorry to be a thicky stevel but will that not chew up the bobbin, and is it not difficult to remove once it's got a grip ?

**stevel** · 10 Sep 07, 11:34 AM

Mark......fair question, but in reality, because the bobbins spin easily, and the extractor has such a coarse thread, the extractor never gets a bite into the bobbin. Mine came out by hand as soon as they were turned clockwise. I had same concern, but checked on the first few, and no harm done. Pic attached in case anyone's not sure what an extractor is!

**MarkST** · 10 Sep 07, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevel

Mark......fair question, but in reality, because the bobbins spin easily, and the extractor has such a coarse thread, the extractor never gets a bite into the bobbin. Mine came out by hand as soon as they were turned clockwise. I had same concern, but checked on the first few, and no harm done. Pic attached in case anyone's not sure what an extractor is!

Nice one stevel, i'll give it a go over the next couple of days - i'll probably put some rag or paper around the extractor though !

**MarkST** · 01 Apr 08, 02:43 PM

Let's also bear in mind that EBC pads have been found to be the source of many a brake judder problem.

**moto748** · 01 Apr 08, 04:03 PM

Following (I think it was) Ghost's advice on an earlier thread, I found I could free mine off easily by sticking a rat's-tail file in the hole and rotating. The file can be pushed in just far enough to get sufficient purchase to rotate the bobbin.

Only takes a few minutes to do a wheel. Quick squirt with brake cleaner, and you're away.

Mine were fine, BTW, but I *do* need a new pair of discs; mine are absolutely clapped out.

**MarkST** · 01 Apr 08, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moto748

Mine were fine, BTW,

You're what were fine moto, your EBC pads, or your bobbins ?

**Lin** · 01 Apr 08, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkST

Let's also bear in mind that EBC pads have been found to be the source of many a brake judder problem.

Oooo now theres something to think on.

My lad had a set of Performance Friction pads on his single disc DD bike.
These ' performed' exceptionally well throughtout racing and my sons pleasure or work riding.

In the last month i've had to replace his pads and for the fact that he was at work at the time that they failed and in need of an 'that' night replacememtn i purchased a set of ebc.

Hmmm - he is not impressed!

They will be changed forthwith for a set of PF ones if I can find them here ( cue Nog ? )

He likes PF
I hate PF and prefer EBC

Work that one out ?

I have twin discs and had no braking and spongy lever with ebc. He has single disc and perfect braking with PF and crap with ebc.

Meh !!!!!!!!!

**MarkST** · 01 Apr 08, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin

They will be changed forthwith for a set of PF ones if I can find them here ( cue Nog ? )

I'm in the process of ordering some with him

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin

I have twin discs and had no braking and spongy lever with PF.

Now i'm worried, can somebody please reassure me ??

**Lin** · 01 Apr 08, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkST

I'm in the process of ordering some with himNow i'm worried, can somebody please reassure me ??

Nah sorry. Bit of a strange one that. I purchased pf pads whilst requiring replacemetn when i was racing at Assen. They didn't perform well despite me following the correct bed in procedure. They were changed as soon as - Graeme will verify that they didn't work well on my bike in particular.
However on Dessie, single disc, they worked fantastic and have done even in road conditio0ns.

Nope ? I don't work it out either ????????

**Lin** · 01 Apr 08, 04:55 PM

P.s i'm just waiting for the arrival of PF pads for my sons bike as we speak - I'll keep his ebc one for me.

** shrugs shoulders cos I dont knwo why **

**Mr.R** · 01 Apr 08, 05:01 PM

Hi,
I tried EBC HH pads on a pair of EBC Pro Lite race disc's and they were blo*dy awful!
They juddered in the dry and were even worse in the wet.
I tried all of the known cures to little effect, then replaced them with Ferodo pads and the problem went away as if by magic...

Steve

**MarkST** · 01 Apr 08, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.R

Hi,
I tried EBC HH pads on a pair of EBC Pro Lite race disc's and they were blo*dy awful!
They juddered in the dry and were even worse in the wet.
I tried all of the known cures to little effect, then replaced them with Ferodo pads and the problem went away as if by magic...

Steve

Do you have any views on Performance Friction pads Steve ?

**Mr.R** · 01 Apr 08, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkST

Do you have any views on Performance Friction pads Steve ?

I've never tried them, but I've heard good things about them and may well try them in the future.
I really miss Ron Hammond he used to be the 'Techie' guy at AP Lockheeds, I'd tell him what I wanted and what I was using and he send me pads to suit...
He never let me down!
I have long been a fan of Lockheed kit I'd fit it to my 851/916 if I had enough cash.
I do have an AP Lockheed adjustable ratio M/cylinder on her though, my Bevel is all AP kit except for the rear M/cylinder and I'm looking for a period AP Lockheed caliper for my 250 Desmo.
I think the biggest reason that it's not fitted to more top line bikes is that Brembo kit is so much cheaper these days.

Steve

**MarkST** · 01 Apr 08, 07:29 PM

Thanks.