Spongy Brakes?

[GarminDave]

Hi Guys,

because I can't get a new Trophy SE and there is nothing other brands has to offer that I want I decided to super service my 52,000 mile 2016 model.

I like to potter with the brakes and change pads and clean them but I thought I'd treat the bike to new pistons, seals, pads, fluid and get them as new.  I posted on this forum and took the advice that it was a bit above my pay scale as bleeding was tough and you had to get the bike to open the ABS valve.

Triumph Newcastle offered to do the work in two hours and a bottle of fluid (I already had bought all the parts expecting to DIY it).

Well it took them all day and four bottles of fluid at a total of £270 which they decided as the results were not 100% to not charge at all.

But I still have spongy brakes with a long travel of the levers.  They work but don't feel brand new  which is what I was willing to pay for.

Any ideas for a cure?

[Novocastrian]

This issue had been discussed on the Triumph Trophy Yahoogroup a few times because I used to run the group!  I would search there for answers.  It is a known problem...I don't remember the exact detail but people were finding it difficult to get the last of the air of the system. I seem to recall (maybe) owners were bleeding from the bottom rather than the top to fill the lines then bleed from the top.

[wayne]

Hi Dave,

Did The dealer replace the seals and fit new pads or just replace the fluid and fail to bleed the system?

[Coconut]

Although brand new pads can take a couple of hundred miles to filly bed in
and achieve their maximum efficiency, from your description of the brakes feeling "spongy"
it does seem as though there may still be some air in the system, which is NOT acceptable.

An approved Triumph Dealer should know how to complete the correct Brake Bleeding procedure,
which does include operating the ASB Valves, using their Diagnostic equipment,
as detailed in the Service Manual.

The After market "DealerTool" device can also perform this procedure.

It is worth noting that the Rear Brake is linked to the Front right Caliper,
and when bleeding the Rear Brakes, the front right Caliper also needs to be Bled
using the lower of the two Bleed nipples on the front right caliper.

It may be worth asking if they also bled the rear lines at the same time,
but whether they did or not, I'd think about asking them to look at it again.

Novocastrian : I don't understand how such a system can be "bled from the top" ?
Is that other Group for our Trophy Model, or the previous non ABS version ?

Cheers 





 

[Novocastrian]

LOL, sorry, I misread the model year.  I thought the poster was referring to the model prior to the 2016 year.

My mistake...

Ken

[earthman]

I have heard of other multi piston calipers being very difficult to bleed and the trick of raising them higher than the height of the master cylinder being the only solution.
Maybe 'bled from top' is referring to that??

[GarminDave]

Thanks for this feedback.

All seals. pistons and pads were replaced but not the discs which was thought may be a contributing factor but I’ve done 1,000 miles since so new pads should now be bedded in.

Trip back to dealer.

Later

Dave