Rear brake fade

[brad5401]

Hey, guys! I've got a 2006 Sportsman X2 500 that I bought new and love it. However, I've noticed lately that the brakes (particularly the rear ones) just won't engage and stop the vehicle like they used to. The pads look like they have plenty of life left in them, and I checked the main brake resevoir on the left handlebar for low brake fluid. Everything seems to check out. I notice the problem especially when I'm backing it down the ramp out of my toy hauler and I'm using the foot brake to control my descent while using my hands to push the screen room panels out of the way so my rearview mirrors don't catch them. I have to stand on that pedal lately to get the thing to even slow down. Now, this particular machine does sit for extended periods of time as I use my other two Sportsman machines for trail riding (this one does mostly yard work duty), and I pull a 60" self-contained mowing deck behind it quite a bit. I'm hoping this towing of the mowing deck has not resulted in some premature brake wear that I can't detect. Any advice you all have would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Brad

[cwlongshot]

I would empty and refill the res and then bleed the rear brakes. See Brake fluid absorbs water with time and once it does it cannot work effectively.

I think new fluid and bleeding will clear the problems right up!

CW

[brad5401]

That's about the conclusion I was about to come to myself. It almost has to be a problem with a lack of pressure in the brake line. However, I can't say I've ever had to bleed a brake line on an ATV. If I get the time to work on it myself, I'm going to have to do some self education first. Thanks for the response!

Brad

Originally Posted by cwlongshot

I would empty and refill the res and then bleed the rear brakes. See Brake fluid absorbs water with time and once it does it cannot work effectively.

I think new fluid and bleeding will clear the problems right up!

CW

[polaris50007]

Brad5401,Mike here.Cw has a good solution on the brake fluide changing and bleeding.I have problems with my 07/500 wearing out the rear pads before the front.The calipers have a tendusey to rust up lightly when not used after a period of time.I would do what Cw suggested first and if that didn't fix it I would pull the caliper and take out the piston,sand it lightly and clean the inside.I found over the years of mechanicking that something as a grain of sand can cause binding problems.Hope this might help.Mike

[brad5401]

I also found this online video talking about checking the rear reservior.

You Tube

You Tube

I was under the assumption that both the front and rear brake systems ran off a single reservior, but this fella shows how to inspect the fluid level in the reservior that services the rear brakes. Since I have been checking the fluid levels in the wrong reservior, I'm going to locate that rear reservior tonight and check it. Either way, given the machine's age, a complete brake fluid exchange and line bleed doesn't sound like a bad idea just to be safe. Thanks for all the input, guys. I'll keep you posted.

Brad

Originally Posted by polaris50007

Brad5401,Mike here.Cw has a good solution on the brake fluide changing and bleeding.I have problems with my 07/500 wearing out the rear pads before the front.The calipers have a tendusey to rust up lightly when not used after a period of time.I would do what Cw suggested first and if that didn't fix it I would pull the caliper and take out the piston,sand it lightly and clean the inside.I found over the years of mechanicking that something as a grain of sand can cause binding problems.Hope this might help.Mike

[cwlongshot]

Sorry I was not more clear my friend, I thought you understood there was two separate systems... It IS confusing as the rear caliper works with FRONT lever AND rear pedal. but the caliper is actuated by both INDEPENDENTLY of the other! You will find two sets of bleeders. Be sure your doing correct one as if not you will introduce air into the system and then have to bleed EVERYTHING.

CW