Avid Juicy 3 (front brake calliper)

adom23

Hey all!

I originally got a GT Aggressor XC1 09 and after 2 weeks there was a horrid noise coming from the front wheel when goin at a reasonable speed and any movement on the handle bar would generate this noise. (like the rotor was digging into the pads)

Now I took it back and paid a bit extra to get the GT Aggressor XCR 09 and its now 2 weeks gone by and the exact same thing has happened. They are the same brakes so this is why I mentioned the old bike.

After some trial and error by taking the calliper off the front fork and riding without it, no noise what so ever so that would rule out a few things i hope. I was originally advised that the rotor is bent and it definately isnt after inspecting, its perfectly flat!

I would suspect that when I am turning the handlebar, the rotor is also moving a slight amount into the pads. Now could it even be the wheel it self?

When taking the callipers off and then re-aligning them to the rotor by pumping the brake level and holding down whilst I screw back on. Sometimes the calipper doesnt fit straight in relation to the rotor and I would then have to keep trying until it does. This solves the problem for about half an hour whilst on a ride then it returns!

Does any1 else have this problem with Juicy 3's and come up with a fix or are they just crap?

Daz555

Nowt to do with Juicy 3s as such. They are a decent brake and I've go no problem with mine - they never rub.

I line mine up by eye rather than use the brake-pump method, but if what you are doing works at the time but then things start rubbing later, it means something has moved.

You need to check everything - check pads are seated correctly, check all the caliper bolts, check rotor bolts, and check tightess of the wheel (quick release etc).

nicklouse

sounds like a wheel problem. bearings or other things.

set the brake up and use the bike. Every time you play with the caliper the pads need to bed back in again.

same with any brake.

adom23

Ok I will give it a few more goes but this noise it makes is far worse than a normal rubbing in noise you get from new. Its more like the rotor is grinding up against the pad or even the caliper as you turn but no noise when going straight.

Everything is tight as I double check the bolts etc. Its just weird how it has happened exactly the same as the old bike

adom23

Just one more thing, just sighted down the pads and when the lever is pressed, it actually pushes on just 1 side and 'bends' the rotor in one direction. Normal? or is one piston not working very well :S

adom23

Decided, Juicy3's are absolute crap ... they dont even lock fully and u can push the bike still. Tried 3 other bikes with same brakes on... shall be saving up for better ones!

My 6 year old Magura Julies have 10 times more stopping power and never had 1 issue... shame i sold my marin bike

Cheers for ya help guys!

Daz555

adom23 wrote:

Decided, Juicy3's are absolute crap ... they dont even lock fully and u can push the bike still. Tried 3 other bikes with same brakes on... shall be saving up for better ones!

It is defintely NOT the Juicy3s at fault as such. I know pleny of people running them (including me) and they will chuck you over the bar as soon as look at you! 8)

Perhaps get yourself down a decent LBS and ask them to take a look. If you can push the bike along with the brake applied then something is amiss (assuming they are already bedded in) - you might even have oil on the pads/rotors.

adom23

Well after many hours of trying different things...

I can realign the calliper fine and then its perfect. Only for about 20 mins into a ride and then everything is back to normal, a horrid noise of the rotors digging into the pads... I look closer and it would appear that the calliper has actually moved and is not flush with the rotor anymore.

More proof that it is the brakes... the front rotor has scuff marks on the rim of the rotor and they are white scuff marks ... considering the calliper is finished in white pain, I owuld suggest there is definately some grinding

This has happened on 2 different bikes and im gettin tired lol...i dont know what else to suggest but I will take it to a LBS and see what they say or try and get some new brakes under warranty or something.

tjwood

Have you done the CPS ("caliper positoning system") bolts up to the recommended torque? Sounds like something is loose. Or maybe you've done them up too tight and damaged the threads.

Daz555

adom23 wrote:

I will take it to a LBS and see what they say or try and get some new brakes under warranty or something.

+1.

snotty badger

I've had no faults with my Juicy 3s. When I first got my bike they did lack a bit of power, but once bedded in theirs more than plenty.

When I test rode the bike I mentioned to the shop that the brakes were a bit iffy, told me that if I wasn't happy with them after a couple of rides I could have any brakes at cost! Never had to take them up on that offer! 8)

adom23

After me and a bike mechanic had a good long crack at sorting it.. weve managed to get rid of the noise until going at full speed! A lot better than it was but still there.

I shall not moan no more though as thats a result in my eyes lol

Prob upgrade to better brakes in future when i head to more off roading, doing a mix of off road/road riding to get fitness up!

Anonymous

Nothing wrong with juicy 3s at all. Unless you're heading towards alpine-like they'll be all the brakes you'll ever need.