Rear brake caliper loose

[monsternrg13]

I just bought a 2003 pred 500 the other day and know nothing about it. I noticed the rear caliper is wicked loose and can move up and down about an inch in both directions. I didnt see any bolts to tighten it, so are there bushings that have been worn out?

[preddy518]

dont feel bad, my 05 tld is the same way, i havent figured out what the problem is, i just zip tied the plate that the caliper bolts to, to the skid plate for now. its not like it can go any where...just annoying. ima fix it in nov when i do a full frame up build

[TLdocx]

This is normal. They call it a floating caliper. If u replace it it'll stay tight till it wears in. Then it'll get back to the way it is now.

[preddy518]

then how do we fix it? i have no brakes in the rear. can we weld sumtin up for sumthing?

[TLdocx]

Can't. That's the way its made. I mean u can try it but they don't make anything for it.

[TLdocx]

preddy 518- is that no brake problem because of the loose caliper? and can you tell me how you lowered your rear end for under 10 bucks?

[preddy518]

ya it is. i mean i have some brake there but wen i hit it, it makes a horriable sound and wats your e mail, ill send you pix. its nothing special but it works great and its easy and cheap

[TLdocx]

TLdocx@vzw.blackberry.net

[Dmanrider20]

HEy can you tell me how to lower it too

[preddy518]

whats your e-mail? I will send you pics

[Dmanrider20]

I think I pmed you my email

[mepperly]

Back to the original post on the rear brake. I have two pred's and love them. I have 4,000$ into my '03 and am building a '04 now. The back break design is horrible but works fine with a small alteration. It's a free Floating Caliper so it needs to move a little but there are three factors that make it move to much and turn into a chatter and annoying rattle. First thing is simple, brake pad level, the more they wear the more slack there is between the pad and rotor=slop the pads on a free floating caliper should be replaced long before signs of wear. you should not let them get any lower than .250 over all thickness, second is the rotor thickness this is not a issue as soon as the brake pads but could be at this point if your already having a problem. If it is less than .135 thick I would replace it. The last and main problem is the floating plate it's self that the caliper mounts to. I used a .025 shim all the way around the I.D. of the bracket to reduce circular slack and .050 shim on each side of the retainer block of the bracket. I would start simply by checking pads and rotor then remove floating bracket and check to make sure it's not out of round and shim to the specific wear. It is aluminum and will wear. If out of round replace and check, if problem continues then shim to fit but make sure to leave some slack for the free floating design. That's my two cents and it worked for me on both bikes. GOOD LUCK!