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Pads not moving, what do I need?

mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
edited April 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
My front brakes are failed and upon checking all I can really tell is that the pads are no longer moving when the brake applied, i.e. the pads are NOT meeting the rotor. Does this sound like a failed caliper or can the pads be replaced? The bike is a Mongoose Tyax - any pointers to a replacement part as necessary? Many thanks

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  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,599
    What are the brakes.
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  • mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
    all I know is:

    Radius Mechanical Disc, 160mm rotor brakes, Shimano EF-50 levers
  • HortonHorton Posts: 327
    Are the pads no longer moving, or are they just not moving enough to clamp onto the disc?

    Maybe you just need to put more tension in the cable (either with the barrel adjuster or if needed, adjust the cable itself by loosening the cable clamp bolt, pull cable through and tighten it back up)

    As far as replacement parts/pads, have a look on ebay/google
  • stubsstubs Posts: 5,001
    Surely only one pad moves anyway. You might need to adjust the fixed pad there is usually an allen key to tweak.
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  • mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
    Thanks all for the replies. I have checked again and when I pull on the front brake the pads do not appear to move at all, I have tried adjusting the pads but then they get stuck on.
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,803
    Is the lever on the side of the calliper moving when you pull the brake lever?
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.8Kg
  • mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
    yes that is moving fine, even tried to adjust that but still the pads don't move
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,803
    Pics please, not familar with that....

    If you rotate the lever on the calliper body by hand ALL the way does the pad start to rub the disc? the other pad will not move and has to be adjusted up until it'd 'just' rubbing, the pad on the lever side then pushes th disc across into the other pad to create the friction.

    Is the pad on the lever side not moving at all? (take calliper from bike so you can see better) this would be vanishingly unusual!
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.8Kg
  • stubsstubs Posts: 5,001
    Just a thought the pad material hasnt dropped off the backing plate has it that might give the impression nothing is moving.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
    As suggested last week I have taken some photos and I hope this helps explain my predicament!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6934015824/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6934015996/

    As one picture shows I have disconnected the brake cable to rule out that as a cause, just need to know whether this is something that adjustment can fix or else what I need to buy to resolve.

    Cheers
  • stubsstubs Posts: 5,001
    Cant see much from those photos to be honest. Have you taken pads out and had a look to see that the piston is moving when you move the lever.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
    Doh! By taking the pads out can see the issue now, the 'pad' itself on one side has dropped off and hence although the piston is moving its not moving anything useful...Hoping this is a cheap and easy fix after all!
  • stubsstubs Posts: 5,001
    You can get pads for about £5.50 google bikefridge or superstar.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • mickisupmickisup Posts: 295
    Many thanks for all the help.
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