HFX-9 Problems..

David Lund
David Lund Posts: 602
edited September 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
For a few weeks iv had problems with my Hayes HFX-9 brakes, they suddenly loose most of the power and grip after about 30mins into a ride. Im not to bothered about the front brake as one of the resevoir cap screw hole has sheared out and its not holding presure correctly so i know i need a new main body. The problem is with the rear brake, there is no leaks that i can see, i have fully bled the brakes several times and changed the pads to some excelent new Goodridge ones. The rotors are totaly clean.
I have no idea where to go or how there is any way to check for minute leaks.
Does anyone know of any processes to go through to service them?
Thanks for any help
David

Comments

  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    Adjust the pads to be as closer as posible to the rotor without them rubbing on it.

    I had a similar problem with my front when after 2 months of use I lost a lot of braking power, so I thought I contaminated them. But I moved the pads closer to the rotor and now the brakes are more powerfull than ever.
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    David Lund
    So after you lose the power what happens?

    you say you lose power what happens to the lever? stays with the same feel or goes soft?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • David Lund
    David Lund Posts: 602
    Sorry i dint realy explain it properly, within about 5 mins the lever takes up most of the stroke to get any bite on the brakes and even then they dont have enough power to stop me. just scrape slightly, i have tried to pump the brakes without the rotor in but the pads still dont go together fully / far enough and have a gap the size of the rotor between them. Soo, i thought they probably need bleeding to remove any air, but after 3 bleeding sessions there is no change.
    Hope that expains it more
    Dave
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Dave, it is possibly two things.

    1) there is still air in the system.

    2) and, i feel the most likely, a seal has gone somewhere and is allowing air to enter the system.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • David Lund
    David Lund Posts: 602
    Yep thats what i was thinking, where would the seals have gone? i could try and replace the hoses. Which selas would you think are broken?
    As i said i need to buy a new main body for the right brake so is it worth buying one for the left too? to try and solve the problem.
    Or i could just save up and get a whole new brakeset which may be stupid and expencive but would save time if i cant find the problem with my Hayes.
    Dave
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    TBH i would take it to a bike shop and get them to run through the system. then they can get whet is needed.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • David Lund
    David Lund Posts: 602
    Yes i could do that but the nearest decent shop is 30 miles away, my local one 200yards down the road dont even know how to bleed brakes properly and put the wrong type / shaped pads in last time, i wasnt to happy so i havnt gone back since.
  • TonyS
    TonyS Posts: 104
    These brakes need alot of bleeding to get clean of air pockets so try rebleeding a few more times and don't rely on the 'zip tie the lever to be bars overnight' to sort the issue out (which sounds like you are suffering from).

Categories