Rear brake question

[reynoldston]

Originally Posted by sgmcfer

Thanks for the insight. I also thought the lines needed to be bled but that didnt change anything.I just felt like it should stop the machine a little easier than it does. Cause if I put all my weight into it, it will stop it immediately. Even on concrete. The tech at the local dealer said that the master cylinder is to small on that year and it takes more to push the fluid?? Does that sound right? If thats how its supposed to be then thats how its supposed be.

I really can't see why that is why it is supposed to be, but mine is sure that way and my friends older machine is the same way. The smaller the master cylinder bore the more stopping power, just the way of hydraulics. Don't know what that tech is talking about.

[bgirard420]

From the owner's manual, you may have to zoom in:

[reynoldston]

Originally Posted by bgirard420

From the owner's manual, you may have to zoom in:

That tells it like it is, the rear brake is there for looks so don't use it. Only for emergencys. That was how I under stood it to say.

[sgmcfer]

Haha yep just for looks. Atleast i know and others that have them same question know that its just for looks. Thanks for the help

[KICKER431]

Both of mine are not all that great either, though if I stand on them I can lock up the rears on pavements. Occassionally stomp them to lock the back and power slide corners on dirt. But as far as average braking, I just use the hand lever.

[bgirard420]

Originally Posted by reynoldston

That tells it like it is, the rear brake is there for looks so don't use it. Only for emergencys. That was how I under stood it to say.

It only activates 1 out of 3 brakes, how much stopping power can one expect from that?

Also, I read on another forum from a retired polaris tech that it's good to use it every now and again or you'd end up having to replace the rear MC due to seal failure.

[reynoldston]

Now my Suzuki ATV has brakes that work independent from each other. When you stop with that bike it is more like a motorcycle and you use them together. Also on that bike the rear brake has way more stopping power then the front brakes which is a very poor design. I have found that the brakes are way superior on the Polaris over the Suzuki.

[Russ C]

have to take lid off of little resevoir to get them to bleed right and it still takes awhile but with patence you can usually get them to work better, but if you forget to use them for awhile they will quit again, havent had this problem on the 850 but have seen it on 5-6-7-800's

[onequik1]

I have two 2005 sportsmans and tried to bleed them using the conventional method and no workie. You have to power bleed these with a vacuum pump, then if you are lucky it may work. There is a tiny reservoir under the seat, take the cover off, top off the fluid (never let it get empty), open the rear bleeder (make sure its the correct one as there are two) and hook up the vacuum pump and slowly pump (suck) the fluid through, continue to add fluid as you go, when done close the bleeder, check the fluid level, and put the cover back on. Then try your rear foot brake. If it doesn't work you may be looking at a new master cylinder or pads.

Also they call the rear foot brake an auxiliary brake, wonder if they really meant to call it optional?

[shui5612]

most likely the pads are worn, mine just locks up the rear wheels by "kicking" the pedal while sitting, if i just "press " it, it doesnt do much...

IMHO its just a safety brake so if your lever breaks or something you can stop....

hope i helped.