Help needed with brakes! - inc pics

Phillr

I am in need of a bit of help.

I tried to upgrade my front rotor on my Boardman Team HT from 160mm to 180mm to increase the stopping power of the front brake. I took the wheel out, swapped the rotor on the wheel and fixed the adapter to the fork, no problem.

However when I tried to put the wheel back in the fork, something went a bit wrong. I cant seem to get the disc back into the brake. The brake seems to have clamped shut completely, even with the pads in the brake the lever doesn't have a bite, it's just completely loose. I took the pads out and the bit that clamps the brakes shut seems stuck. I don't really know, I'm a bit lost for what to do, I am a complete noob at this sort of thing!


Brake with pads in


Without pads, but something is sticking out a bit?

Any help would be massively appreciated!

Chunkers1980

Reset the pistons and bed in again

The Northern Monkey

use something like a plastic tyre lever to gently push the pistons back in then replace the pads and refit on the bike.

This usually happens when the calliper is off the frame and the brake lever is pulled.

70\ʹspenguin

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Reset the pistons and bed in again

if you dont know what that means - basically get a tyre lever or something to poke in-between the pistons (preferably not a flat head screw driver) and push the pistons back in till flush with the caliper. Do this both sides. Put the pads back in, fit the wheel and pump the brake till it bites.

Oh and remember not to pull the brake levers when the wheel is off!

pastey_boy

An old pair of pads would help and stop you damaging the pistons with anything metallic.

Phillr

Thanks for the advice guys, although I think I may be doing something wrong.

I can reset one of the pistons and it stays in, However when I try to do the other one, it won't budge.

Is there anything else I can try, or should I give up and take the brake into the shop.

It's my own fault for leaving my bike in the kitchen with the front wheel off! My son must have pumped the brake when he was messing about with my bike the other day!

cooldad

Use a big screwdriver and turn it like a key so it moves both pistons. Leave the pads in to prevent damage to the expensive bits.

The Rookie

If you remove the pads and use a ring spanner (round edges) there is little risk of damaging the caliper/pistons and you also won't damage the pads!