2005 Stella Master Cylinder Binding

lorenajack · Post by **lorenajack** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:02 pm

I searched all over the forums but could not find anything related to my problem.

Last week I was backing my 2005 Stella into the garage when I
noticed it was hard to move. Discovered the front wheel was
locked. At first I thought the brake pads were sticking, but
later discovered the piston on the caliper master cylinder
was not fully returning, thus keeping the pads against the rotor.

I tried several times to push it in and pry it out in hopes of
freeing it up. No luck. I called ScooterWest and talked to Max.
He did not stock a rebuild kit of any kind for the stella, and
all the brake caliper assemblies were for diff bikes.

Any ideas??

magnato1 · Post by **magnato1** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:51 pm

If it were me, I'd first try bleeding the system to see if I could move the piston when releasing pressure from the system. If that didn't work, I'd probably completely empty the system and then see what I could do. If it were still stuck, I'd call scooterworks. I imagine they sell the calipers, even if they're not on the website.

lorenajack · Post by **lorenajack** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:55 pm

I will try the bleed as you suggested. I already talked to Max at
ScooterWorks. He sent me a kit of rubber washers that didn't
see to fit my stella master cylinder asm.

Thank you !!

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:51 pm

lorenajack wrote:I searched all over the forums but could not find anything related to my problem.

Last week I was backing my 2005 Stella into the garage when I
noticed it was hard to move. Discovered the front wheel was
locked. At first I thought the brake pads were sticking, but
later discovered the piston on the caliper master cylinder
was not fully returning, thus keeping the pads against the rotor.

I tried several times to push it in and pry it out in hopes of
freeing it up. No luck. I called ScooterWest and talked to Max.
He did not stock a rebuild kit of any kind for the stella, and
all the brake caliper assemblies were for diff bikes.

Any ideas??

Loosen the caliper mounting bolts. Swing the caliper bracket out and pull out the the pad retention pin. Remove the pads. Use a C-clamp to slowly press the caliper piston back in fully. Consider replacing the brake pads if they're thin; if the caliper piston has to extend out too far, that can cause it to get cocked in the bore and bind. Be sure to put the pad retaining back in correctly. Tapered end goes in towards the rim. Bolt the caliper back on the mount, using blue Loctite. Actuate the brake lever to seat the pads on the rotor. Open the brake reservoir and top up the fluid level...might consider bleeding the front brake completely for more positive brake operation.

lorenajack · Post by **lorenajack** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:09 pm

Thanks for the additional info, Sean!
The calipers themselves were going to be my next step.
I did replace pads less than a year ago, but who knows.
Might be time to replace the entire assembly as this scoot
is going on 8 years old (11,000+ miles).

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:39 pm

Howard needed new brake pads last year, just prior to Scooter Fiesta IV. His bike was dragging the pads on the rotor and was making metal-on-metal contact. The rotor was OK, but I did lightly sand the surface to address any high spots or burrs. His caliper needed a C-clamp to press it back in. All sliding surfaces were cleaned, polished and lightly greased with high-temp brake grease. Afterwards, I bled the full system since his fluid was almost completely contaminated (almost a black as used engine oil). Worked great afterwards.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:45 am

Open the reservoir cap on the handlebar. squeeze lever, when you release it there should be a small "spurt" of fluid from a tiny hole in the bottom of the reservoir. If no spurt you found your problem...clean hole add fresh fluid see if that fixes it. It is a pressure bleed off.

lorenajack · Post by **lorenajack** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:07 pm

Thanks for all the tips!

I completely bled the front brake caliper at the front wheel
and now the piston on the master cylinder returns to normal,
plus there is no longer a great deal of travel on the piston
when I apply the brake.

Thanks again!

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:15 pm

Thanks for following up with your fix.
My question is.. You said you completely bled the system. Did you replace the fluid? Or just bled the system?
Thanks

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:20 pm

jimmbomb wrote:Thanks for following up with your fix.
My question is.. You said you completely bled the system. Did you replace the fluid? Or just bled the system?
Thanks

well he'd be having a hard time applying the brake without fluid

Modern Buddy

2005 Stella Master Cylinder Binding

2005 Stella Master Cylinder Binding

Re: 2005 Stella Master Cylinder Binding