Disk brake headaches

Matteeboy

Now I know disk brakes are the must have item BUT having resisted them for years I have now been running a Juicy 5 equipped Stumpjumper for six months.

Just changed my first rear tyre on it (two punctures somehow) and what a complete AR5E it was to get the back wheel on! Is there a secret method? The skewer kept jamming on the rear mech so I couldn't get the disk to slip into the caliper. Endless faffing got me there in the end but I also changed the tyre on my old Stumpy (V brakes) and it took about a minute!

I like disk brakes in many ways - the power, the lack of cables, the ability to work in the wet/mud, but in other ways they really are a complete bu66er.
Can't wash them directly (!), mustn't touch them (!), seem to squeak all the time however well set up and generally much more fragile than V brakes.

Rant over.

dav1

my 5s rotors go inno problen, it is a case of eye it in, then mush the wheel into the dropouts being careful to keep it stright. Its a bit tricky at forst but gets easier over time.

Perhaps your pads have set themselves a bit close. You could try pushing them apart and realinging the caliper to see if that makes things any eaiser.

Disk brake cleaner followed by a few hard stops solves my squeeks, so far they are much less of a pain then my cable breaks were.

Matteeboy

Dav - the disk went into the caliper fine. It was more the mech jamming the skewer so I couldn't align the disk/rotor. Got there in the end so must be okay I guess.

Used disk brake cleaner - no luck. It's going to my LBS for a look - I now have a constant squeak when cycling (when not braking - front disk problem) and they are hopefully going to sort it out.

Not had a lot of luck with disks overall.

Matteeboy

Fully sorting and working fine AT LAST!!!

fireheed

Matteeboy wrote:

Fully sorting and working fine AT LAST!!!

So what was the problem in the end?
Try taking the pads out next time and scuff the surface with a bit of emery paper or the likes. Takes the glaze off.

mr mangos

If the skewer is jamming in the mech are you trying to put the wheel back on with the skewer attached? You might find it easier to take the skewer out and fit it when the wheel is in place.

stumpyjon

I find my rear wheel more fiddly than when I had V's, just get used to it, I find it helps if I get the chain on the right sprocket for the rear mech position, more than a couple of sprockets out and there's no way I can line the disc up with the caliper.

litwardle

Love the all weather stopping power of disks but I'm really struggling with my front disks rubbung! They are Quad QD1's. They are self adjusting but on the widest adjustment. I have spent a life time trying to align the wheel but the disk stil rubs. I have tried loosening the caliper on the mount, applying the breaks and tightening back up but still rubbing.

Any suggestions?

Lee

Gethin69

try having the leading edge of the caliper toing in slightly using the shims like you used to do on the old brake blocks!

Matteeboy

fireheed wrote:

Matteeboy wrote:

Fully sorting and working fine AT LAST!!!

So what was the problem in the end?
Try taking the pads out next time and scuff the surface with a bit of emery paper or the likes. Takes the glaze off.

Not actually sure - I've done everything - cleaned them (with disk cleaner), scuffed them up, etc, etc. They seem a lot better now but are still rubbing very slightly. Just going to try and wear the pads down enough as they are no longer juddering at all.