Rear brake repairs????

dmr180
dmr180 Posts: 42
edited February 2012 in Workshop
Hello all, this is my first post to this site and i am really in need of some help.

I have recently purchased my first ever road bike in the form of a Carrera TDF ltd. I purchased this bike second hand and have now developed a problem with the rear caliper.

When i pull the rear lever the caliper closes as normal onto the rim, however the lever does not spring back and the caliper does not release. I am able to pull the caliper apart by hand however.

I have tightened the cable as at first i thought there was too much play in the cable. I have oiled the caliper bolts and spring. Still nothing. So now I am lost, is it a case of replacing the caliper, or is it a lever problem??????

Any help is much appreciated fellow 2 wheelers!!!

Comments

  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    First thing i'd check is that it is actually the caliper that is the problem. Try undoing the cable and see if it is sticking. You can easily squeeze the caliper together by hand. My bet would be the rear brake inner cable is damaged / dirty.

    PS welcome to the asylum
  • sandyballs
    sandyballs Posts: 577
    Hi there, have a look and make sure that the brake blocks have not worn and made a lip that goes under the wheel rim. I have had this a couple of times with poorly aligned and worn blocks.
  • dmr180
    dmr180 Posts: 42
    Both great advice, think i will be spending some time in the garage again tomorrow. Thanks very much.
  • seanoconn
    seanoconn Posts: 11,717
    I've had the same trouble before. Giving the spring mechanism on the brake a good clean out could resolve the problem. Just needs a small amount of grit to stop the brake working correctly.
    Pinno, מלך אידיוט וחרא מכונאי
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I'd bet that replacing the cable and the outers will sort it out.
    Seen it dozens of times; it's hardly ever anything to do with the caliper or the lever.

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