[gulkana]

Whenever I turn the front wheels and go forward or back with the bike running or not the bike binds up like the breaks come on. It happens in forward and reverse.
I have pulled the covers to see what is going on but I can't see it.
Anyone have an idea what is causing this?

 

[ajl719]

I’m assuming you have front drum brakes..? If so pull the drums off and see if you can turn and move it forward or backwards. But do not, and I mean do not apply the front brakes without any drums on. If all is free then it’s something within the front brakes causing the problem. I had a similar issue on my 300 KQ. Tried to move it out of my garage but the bike wouldn’t budge. So I pulled the right drum off and then I was able to move it. Upon further inspection the right wheel cylinder had ingested water during the fall then froze over the winter. So whenever I’d put the drum back on I couldn’t budge my bike.

 

[gulkana]

not sure what the breaks are up front. I wasn't sure it had front breaks. It's an 84 LT185 quad runner. I'll pull them off and take a looksee.
Thanks for the help. Gives me a direction to go in and I appreciate that!

 

[ajl719]

I wasn’t even sure if it had front brakes seeing it was a ‘84 LT185 ad you stated. I was mainly speculating that it did. If not, we’ll try and figure something else out. If you jack the whole quad off the ground can you spin each wheel by hand easily enough..?

 

[gulkana]

yes, every wheel spins like is should. It almost seems it is getting worse. Early on in the problem it would bind when the wheels were turned almost to the max travel. Now it seems just a few inches of turn of the handlebars binds it up now.

 

[ajl719]

Huummm, 🤔. Your 185 I’m pretty sure is 2wd only. So that would rule out a front differential issue. When you say wheels turned, I’m assuming you meant your steering..? Like wheels hard over to either side..?

 

[gulkana]

correct, when turning. I turn, it starts to squeak and then binds up.

 

[ajl719]

Huummm, this is perplexing. It’s not a brake issue, wheels turn as they should. Trying to figure out what else it could be. Can you localize exactly where the squeaking is coming from..? Sorry, trying my best to help you figure this out. Not overly familiar with the 185 so I’m just performing a process of elimination here.

 

[gulkana]

i believe it is the back breaks that are affected by the binding. It is hard to replicate on the bench.

 

[ajl719]

Does your 185 have rear drum brakes..? I’m guessing yes.

 

[gulkana]

yes drums in the rear

 

[ajl719]

Try taking the drum off and putting the wheel back on. Only put the nuts on snuggly, it’s just a test. Now try moving the quad around to see if the noise or the problem still persists. Just don’t touch the brakes without the drum on or you’ll cause yourself a huge headache.

 

[McTool]

Or maybe check the adjustment of the rear brake cable at the hand lever , maybe not enough free play .

 

[Foot0069]

I looked at your quad. No front brakes, one rear drum. Chain drive. Pretty simple layout. One foot lever to brake. I'd make sure the cable isn't binding, or the foot lever. As mentioned pull the drum and check that the shoes aren't bound. That's a very simple brake operation in that the cable pulls a lever that rolls a little cam to spread the shoes apart. It all depends on the return springs working and nothing binding. It might be a good idea to pull the cover off the chain and check the condition of the chain as well. Clean, lubricated and adjusted properly?
Use these diagrams to get an idea of how all that works. There's only the steering components and wheel bearings after that.

1984 Suzuki LT185 OEM Parts, Babbitts Suzuki Parts House

Shop our large selection of 1984 Suzuki LT185 OEM Parts, original equipment manufacturer parts and more online or call at (231)737-4542

www.suzukipartshouse.com

 

[McTool]

I fitted an o ring chain to my 1985 LT250 .......in 2006 . Cleaned and greased probly only 3-4 times since then and it and the sprockets look great and the chain is still tight round the rear sprocket. Its a DID 520 heavy duty .

 

[gulkana]

Finally getting a break from this rain and a chance to look at whats going on with this binding issue. Thanks for the help! I'll go through the system today and see if something is bound up or needs a good lubing