Disc brake remains on! Lever doesn't return.

jnr_seahorse

Hi, When I pull the lever on my Formula disc brakes the brakes remain on with the lever pulled to the bar. I can push it back out again and continue but I don't intend to do that forever!

Any ideas?

Thanks

chedabob

Take the pads out and push the pistons back with a flat screwdriver.

nicklouse

which brakes?
what year?
how old?

jnr_seahorse

Formula R1's which I bought at the end of last year.

I would return them to the distributers but they are on summer shut down for a week and I want to ride the bike.

I can push the pistons back out, but as soon as I pull the lever everything seazes up again. The pistons were a bit sticky but I dribbled some brake fluid around them and don't think that is the problem any more.

booldawg

Do the pistons have fluid seals on them? If they do, they usually sit in a groove on the piston. Maybe the seals have popped out of the groove? Under braking it would allow enough pressure to push the pistons out but they wouldnt return naturally to the 'off' position if the seals were not seated in the groove.

allthegearnoidea

my bet is seized lever pivot!! (quite common apparantly???) pop the lever off and give it a good clean and a drop of lube, with any luck will sort it??

The Rookie

I'm with atgni, sounds like a sticky lever?

Simon

jnr_seahorse

Thanks guys! I was surprised but you were right it was a sticky lever pivot. Had to back it right off before things started moving again.

Cleaned it up and covered it in copious amounts of grease. Still can't do it up tight.

Thanks for the advice.