Stupid Disk brake question

bazmcg
bazmcg Posts: 95
edited May 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Am I right in thinking that the more your disc brake pads wear down, the lever will pull back further towards the handlebars before the pads are activated? Or should the lever travel remain the same regardless of how worn down the pads are?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    what brakes? some do some do not.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • bazmcg
    bazmcg Posts: 95
    Hayes HFX 9
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    No lever reach should stay the same on those.
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Should being the operative word.

    if poorly maintained the pistons can seize and not adjust correctly effecting the lever throw.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • bazmcg
    bazmcg Posts: 95
    I was wondering because when I got the brake the lever would come on as soon as you touched it. I bled the brake a week ago and now the lever is coming back 3/4 of the way to the handlebars before the brakes come on. The pads are not that worn, I'll have a look at the pistons and see how far out they are.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    why did you bleed the brake?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    bazmcg wrote:
    I was wondering because when I got the brake the lever would come on as soon as you touched it. I bled the brake a week ago and now the lever is coming back 3/4 of the way to the handlebars before the brakes come on. The pads are not that worn, I'll have a look at the pistons and see how far out they are.

    :D I'm sure there's good reason but it does read like "The brake used to work, then I fixed it and now it doesn't :wink:
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • bazmcg
    bazmcg Posts: 95
    I bled it because the lever was nearly hitting the bars before the brake came on. The bike had been lying idle for about a year.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    in that case i would say you still need to get some air out of there, But it could be more likely be that some seals need replacing, which brought about the initial problem...
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown

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