My brakes are not operating normally: Difference between revisions

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The rear caliper on this bike has a single piston. One brake pad is pushed by one piston, the other brake pad just kind of sits there on the other side of the rotor. You only need to push from one side to compress the whole she-bang. (Not exactly true, but really close enough)

Now, unevenly worn pads DO happen. Excessive uneven wear is usually caused by dirty pistons, or (more often in the case of the rear brake), dirty pins. Another potential cause for uneven wear would be neglecting to loosen/tighten the brake torque link bolt when adjusting chain tension.

Now, unevenly worn pads DO happen. Excessive uneven wear is usually caused by dirty pistons, or (more often in the case of the rear brake) dirty pins. Another potential cause for uneven wear would be neglecting to loosen/tighten the brake torque link bolt when adjusting chain tension.

~~To fix~~ the ~~problem to supremo standards:~~

Most of the following information is also in the [[How do I replace the brake pads?|replacing brake pads]] article, with more detail.

1. Unbolt the caliper and remove the brake pads

2. Thoroughly clean everything that is visible with perchlorethelyne-based brake cleaner ~~(don~~'t get it on your hands.~~.. if~~ you do, use lots of moisturizer afterwards. With lanolin. ~~Canadians: Go to crappy tire and look for the stuff with the gold lid)~~

2. Thoroughly clean everything that is visible with perchlorethelyne-based brake cleaner. Don't get it on your hands. If you do, use lots of moisturizer afterwards. With lanolin.

3. Carefully apply a '''BIT''' of pressure to the rear brake lever to push the pistons out. ''Be careful not to push them all the way out!'' Temporarily installing ONE pad will help prevent this.

3. Carefully apply a '''BIT''' of pressure to the rear brake lever to push the pistons out. Be careful not to push them all the way out! Temporarily installing ONE pad will help prevent this.

4. Examine the visible portion of the piston for pitting. If it has more than light pitting, it is due for replacement, as it can cause your brakes to gradually loose fluid, and chew away at your dust/fluid seals.

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 The rear caliper on this bike has a single piston. One brake pad is pushed by one piston, the other brake pad just kind of sits there on the other side of the rotor. You only need to push from one side to compress the whole she-bang. (Not exactly true, but really close enough)
-Now, unevenly worn pads DO happen. Excessive uneven wear is usually caused by dirty pistons, or (more often in the case of the rear brake), dirty pins. Another potential cause for uneven wear would be neglecting to loosen/tighten the brake torque link bolt when adjusting chain tension.
+Now, unevenly worn pads DO happen. Excessive uneven wear is usually caused by dirty pistons, or (more often in the case of the rear brake) dirty pins. Another potential cause for uneven wear would be neglecting to loosen/tighten the brake torque link bolt when adjusting chain tension.
-To fix the problem to supremo standards:
+Most of the following information is also in the [[How do I replace the brake pads?|replacing brake pads]] article, with more detail.
 . Unbolt the caliper and remove the brake pads
-. Thoroughly clean everything that is visible with perchlorethelyne-based brake cleaner (don't get it on your hands... if you do, use lots of moisturizer afterwards. With lanolin. Canadians: Go to crappy tire and look for the stuff with the gold lid)
+. Thoroughly clean everything that is visible with perchlorethelyne-based brake cleaner. Don't get it on your hands. If you do, use lots of moisturizer afterwards. With lanolin.
-. Carefully apply a '''BIT''' of pressure to the rear brake lever to push the pistons out. ''Be careful not to push them all the way out!'' Temporarily installing ONE pad will help prevent this.
+. Carefully apply a '''BIT''' of pressure to the rear brake lever to push the pistons out. Be careful not to push them all the way out! Temporarily installing ONE pad will help prevent this.
 . Examine the visible portion of the piston for pitting. If it has more than light pitting, it is due for replacement, as it can cause your brakes to gradually loose fluid, and chew away at your dust/fluid seals.