Avid elixir cr pistons sticking?

BigStu2

Hi, just replaced the pads on my brakes, they were working fine up untill 2 hrs ago now the front lever pulls all the way to the bar, all I did was insert the plastic avid wedge to open up the pistons with the new pads in place while the bike was upside down, if a piston is stuck how do I free it up again, needs to be workng as I'm sellng them :oops:

supersonic

Remove pads and slowly press the lever. Are the pistons moving? Never opush them too far though! Clean with plain water and try again. Dry, add a small drop of DOT 4 (or 5.1) to the seal/piston, press lever, wipe, push piston back. Keep doing this and they will move eventually!

BigStu2

Thanks super, what happens if they were pushed too far???

The Rookie

They fall out....

supersonic

They might fall out lol.

BigStu2

:lol Nope, their still in there.
Spinning the wheel and applying the brake stops the wheel but the lever is on the grip, must be an air problem, been like it for the past 18 months whenever the bike is upsidedown the lever hits the grip but a few pumps it normally fixes itself, not this time however....

supersonic

Never apply the brakes when the bike is upside down! This may be the problem.

The Rookie

Agreed, upside down any air rises in the resevoir to the pickup point, right way up the pickup point is safely under fluid.