Break fluid

[3rdwheel]

My ride is a 2013 STS-S. I just finished topping off the back pot with dot 4, this will be the second time that I have done this. The last time was last fall. I talked to my shop guy and he told me that the bike uses the fluid.
BS, break fluid doesn't just disappear, it has to be going somewhere.

The floor seems to be dry and I checked the calipers and both the front and back are dry.


Any ideas?

 

[Cruzr Joe]

My ride is a 2013 STS-S. I just finished topping off the back pot with dot 4, this will be the second time that I have done this. The last time was last fall. I talked to my shop guy and he told me that the bike uses the fluid.
BS, break fluid doesn't just disappear, it has to be going somewhere.

The floor seems to be dry and I checked the calipers and both the front and back are dry.


Any ideas?

As your brake pads get thinner it takes more fluid to push them closer, when you get new brake pads you may have to take some fluid out.

it is normal

Cruzr Joe

 

[jcthorne]

Have you checked your brake pads for wear yet? If you have had to top off the master cylinder twice, its likely they are nearing end of life.

 

[Pampurrs]

I went through a similar experience in which I was getting brake failure messages and had to add fluid. As others have pointed out, it was because my pads were wearing thinner and the pistons had to reach out farther out of the bores to deploy the pads to the rotors. I changed my brake pads a few days ago, and once I had pushed the pistons back into the bores, found myself with excess fluid in the cylinders, which I had to remove with a syringe. No brake fluid leak, just the pads getting thinner.

Pam

 

[Tazzel]

Dont know about the ST but on my 2012 RS SE5 I kept getting Brake Failure error and had to keep adding Brake fluid. On my 3k maintenance check I told my dealership shop. They found a leak in the brake fluid reservoir and fixed under warranty.

 

[Bfromla]

Check your pads

All to ez to do & then you know:thumbup:

 

[3rdwheel]

Disapering break pads?

As your brake pads get thinner it takes more fluid to push them closer, when you get new brake pads you may have to take some fluid out.

it is normal

Cruzr Joe

I know what you are telling me, I will on check the fluid pots on my cars several times a year to check the condition of my break pads. If the fluid looks like its at half full I'll pull a front and back wheel for a look see.

Two things, the back pot was full, and the bike has 6800 miles on it. So how many miles should I expect to get on the pads?????

I did just change out the tires for $800.00 at 6700 miles, a job that I don't have the tools for. Not to impressed about that.

 

[3rdwheel]

Disapering break pads?

As your brake pads get thinner it takes more fluid to push them closer, when you get new brake pads you may have to take some fluid out.

it is normal

Cruzr Joe

I know what you are telling me, I will check the fluid pots on my cars several times a year to check the condition of my break pads. If the fluid looks like its at half full I'll pull a front and back wheel for a look see.

Two things, the back pot was full, and the bike has 6800 miles on it. So how many miles should I expect to get on the pads?????

I did just change out the tires for $800.00 at 6700 miles, a job that I don't have the tools for. The dealer won't install anything that's not Can Am. Not to impressed about that.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

MILES = BREAKE PAD WEAR

I know what you are telling me, I will on check the fluid pots on my cars several times a year to check the condition of my break pads. If the fluid looks like its at half full I'll pull a front and back wheel for a look see.

Two things, the back pot was full, and the bike has 6800 miles on it. So how many miles should I expect to get on the pads?????

I did just change out the tires for $800.00 at 6700 miles, a job that I don't have the tools for. Not to impressed about that.

.This is very difficult to determine from mileage........Even BAJARON agree's most folks change their PADS way to early.....I have a 2014 RT - SE, and checked mine last time at 17,500 miles ....the fronts were at about 50 %,......the rear 70 %.......I ride hard, but stay off the brakes.......If you can't visually check your own PADS ......you are at the mercy of your Dealer, and IMHO that's a lose- lose proposition......Good Luck.....Mike :thumbup:

 

[Pampurrs]

Two things, the back pot was full, and the bike has 6800 miles on it. So how many miles should I expect to get on the pads?????

I just changed mine at 21,200. The fronts were TOAST! The rears had about .5 MM left on them. Like Mike said, it depends on how you ride and where you ride. About 75% of my riding is in the city, where I use the brakes frequently. If most of your miles are on the highway, you don't use your brakes as often and you will get more miles out of them.

Pam

 

[3rdwheel]

Disapering break fluid

As your brake pads get thinner it takes more fluid to push them closer, when you get new brake pads you may have to take some fluid out.

it is normal

Cruzr Joe

I know that the break fluid level will go down as the break pads ware. I check my cars fluid pot several times a year. If the fluid gets near half I'll pull the front and back wheels for a look see, if all is good I'll add fluid as needed.

The back pot was full. I know that the front end takes most of the weight so those pads should ware faster, but so soon?

Two things, the bike has 6800+ miles on it and it just past state inspection. I'm not a very aggressive rider and gear down to use the motor to help slow down-stop. So I guess the question becomes how many miles can I expect to get out of stock pads


Also I had new wheels installed at 6700+ miles to the tune of $800.00, not very impressive. One person on this site said he had Michelins installed, I would love to do that. The dealer won't install anything that isn't Can Am. I don't have the tools or skills to do the job myself so I'm at the shops mercy.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

ANSWERS / MY OPINION

I know that the break fluid level will go down as the break pads ware. I check my cars fluid pot several times a year. If the fluid gets near half I'll pull the front and back wheels for a look see, if all is good I'll add fluid as needed.

The back pot was full. I know that the front end takes most of the weight so those pads should ware faster, but so soon?
. I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE CASE WITH MOST SPYDERS........THE FRONT HAS 4 PADS THE REAR ONLY ... 2 !!!!
Two things, the bike has 6800+ miles on it and it just past state inspection. I'm not a very aggressive rider and gear down to use the motor to help slow down-stop. So I guess the question becomes how many miles can I expect to get out of stock pads
.MY FEELING ON USING THE TRANSMISSION FOR BRAKING IS THIS ...IF YOU ARE RICH YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A FEW TRANSMISSIONS OR CLUTCH PACKS ETC........BRAKE PADS ARE CHEAP AND I'LL BET I CAN DRIVE ANY ROAD JUST AS FAST AS YOU

Also I had new wheels installed at 6700+ miles to the tune of $800.00, not very impressive. One person on this site said he had Michelins installed, I would love to do that. The dealer won't install anything that isn't Can Am. I don't have the tools or skills to do the job myself so I'm at the shops mercy.

????? WHY NEW WHEELS ???? ....DID THE DEALER TELL YOU NEEDED THEM ????......I KNOW YOU LIVE IN PA..... YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH " rnet " ( A SPYDERLOVER IN ACCORD NY ) HE DOES CAR TIRES FRONT AND REAR .....Yes this would be a 3 1/2 hr drive for you ( but a fun ride ) and unlike a BRP dealer .....Ron can get the tires and guarantee you a time to put them on that will fit both your schedules..........MIKE :thumbup: