leaking disc brake juicy 3 lever after crash

superfineshag
superfineshag Posts: 4
edited June 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
after a crash my juicy 3 lever is slightly further from the handlebars than it was previously. Oil is also leaking from around the hinge where the lever meets the body of the brake lever assembly.

It isn't bent - but is just slightly higher than it used to be - you can see more of the hinge that attaches the lever to the piston. It seems the piston area has been pulled out further than it should be.

The brake still works, though its a bit softer at first than it should be (could be because of the extra distance its going) however leaking fluid isn't good - nor is its position.

Is this fixable, can i take the unit apart without further damaging it, or is it new brakes time? I can't seem to find juicy 3 levers without buying the whole unit. If I am to buy a new brake would getting a juicy 7 on the front only create problems in not matching the two

the pictures show the front and rear for comparison and a close up
front.jpg
The damaged front brake

rear.jpg
The normal rear brake

front-close.jpg
Close up of the over extended lever on the front - oil leaks from around the hinges here

Comments

  • mr mangos
    mr mangos Posts: 174
    If the fluid is brake fluid I suppose there could be damage to the master cylinder. If I was you I'd do a bleed and take it from there as the softness may indicate air has gotten in.
  • superfineshag
    superfineshag Posts: 4
    could air getting in push the lever out like that though
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    take it into the shop for a service. might need seals and circlips and a bleed.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • superfineshag
    superfineshag Posts: 4
    got it fixed in my local bikeshop - turned out that a crash had pulled the piston (on something attached to the piston) too far out and a clip had come off. A simple fix
  • defcone
    defcone Posts: 6
    care to explain how the problem was fixed? Because I ahve the same problem and I dont know what to do.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    push piston home, refit C clip and bleed if needed.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • defcone
    defcone Posts: 6
    nicklouse wrote:
    push piston home, refit C clip and bleed if needed.

    wow, that doesnt sound simple at all. I took the lever apart and there was a split ring with two holes, maybe that thing came loose? How do I put that bit back in, it seems that it is too large and it wont go in.
  • defcone
    defcone Posts: 6
    By C clip do you mean the split ring? What I've done is push the split ring back into its place but it hasnt worked quite well. So I should basically pus the piston right in and push the split ring in as well?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    there are no split rings...

    there is a C clip that sits in a grove and holds everything together. if the groove has been damaged you may need a new lever.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • defcone
    defcone Posts: 6
    I got it fixed, thank you very much so stoked now. One more question (hope im not being annoying) if I can get some syringes and some hydraulic fluid, would I be able to bleed my own brakes without having to buy the avid kit or going to lbs?

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