Front Brake springs, and how the brakes actually work
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:30 am
Hi
I am currently having some issues with my front brake calipers. The pads are binding with the front discs, and this problem is bad enough to make it difficult to even push the bike from the garage
As the calipers are not in the best of shape due to Scottish winters and the amount of grit that gets put down I assumed that this was probably the cause and set about removing the calipers for a clean and grease as a short term fix. The pistons have been cleaned, the backs/edges of the pads thoroughly degunked, and the mounting bracket also cleaned. The seals were replaced and the pistons/bores thoroughly cleaned last summer.
I noticed that the area under the pad springs (which I thought were actually shims, see items 18 and 21 below) was particularly bad, and that I had to hammer the brake pads to get them off (not on the pad surface though). Everything had the appropriate grease applied as per the haynes manual and was reassembled and fitted/torqued.
One squeeze of the brake lever and bam, front brakes binding again
So my question is this: what exactly is it that makes the front brakes "let go" of the disc when the brake lever is released? It looks like it should be part 20 in the diagram below but I cannot fathom how this would actually function. Also I cannot find new ones of these to replace them.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, what was the cause?
My next step will be new seals, master cylinder overhaul, new pads, pistons, hoses, calipers professionally cleaned and then painted - basically a full overhaul - but as always, parts/labour(if required) aren't cheap and it will take me a little time to get the neccessary bits together.
Any help will be most gratefully received!
Jim H
I am currently having some issues with my front brake calipers. The pads are binding with the front discs, and this problem is bad enough to make it difficult to even push the bike from the garage
As the calipers are not in the best of shape due to Scottish winters and the amount of grit that gets put down I assumed that this was probably the cause and set about removing the calipers for a clean and grease as a short term fix. The pistons have been cleaned, the backs/edges of the pads thoroughly degunked, and the mounting bracket also cleaned. The seals were replaced and the pistons/bores thoroughly cleaned last summer.
I noticed that the area under the pad springs (which I thought were actually shims, see items 18 and 21 below) was particularly bad, and that I had to hammer the brake pads to get them off (not on the pad surface though). Everything had the appropriate grease applied as per the haynes manual and was reassembled and fitted/torqued.
One squeeze of the brake lever and bam, front brakes binding again
So my question is this: what exactly is it that makes the front brakes "let go" of the disc when the brake lever is released? It looks like it should be part 20 in the diagram below but I cannot fathom how this would actually function. Also I cannot find new ones of these to replace them.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, what was the cause?
My next step will be new seals, master cylinder overhaul, new pads, pistons, hoses, calipers professionally cleaned and then painted - basically a full overhaul - but as always, parts/labour(if required) aren't cheap and it will take me a little time to get the neccessary bits together.
Any help will be most gratefully received!
Jim H