Mountain Biking - Magura Louise Problem...Help!

So I recently purchased a set of older magura louise caliper/levers...they're the 2000 version that use the round pads, and are single piston.

The rear went on smoothly without a hitch. The front however is a different story...

When I installed the front caliper to my headshock and tried to install the front wheel I realized I was having clearance issues between the rotor and outer edge of the caliper.. (not the pad....the caliper body itself)...I'd try to take pics but I don't think i can actually capture it properly...

Basically it seems like the caliper needs to be about 1mm further towards the outside, but with the IS mount there is no way to do this...

As is, it won't allow free motion of my front wheel...and I don't want to try and force it and ruin my rotors by scoring them..

What should I do?

ok...I did manage to get a picture of the problem....I circled the points where the caliper is making contact...

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j33/aballas/P3080002-1.jpg

any ideas?

any ideas?

file???

file???

possibly....i was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that... I don't even see why this should have been an issue...

Is the rotor sitting in the pads correctly and just the caliper is making contact or is the rotor rubbing up against the outer pad as well?

Is the rotor sitting in the pads correctly and just the caliper is making contact or is the rotor rubbing up against the outer pad as well?

actually no....the pad isn't....if you look down where the rotor is supposed to engage the pad there's visible clearance there...

it's JUST the caliper...so i really don't know why this is happening...

Something bent? Rotor? Mounting bracket? Rotor not bolted down tight enough?

Something bent? Rotor? Mounting bracket? Rotor not bolted down tight enough?

rotor's tight and true (brand new)

the mounting bracket on the frame should be fine as well...the previous brakes didn't have this issue..

possibly the caliper? I don't see how it could be bent though...there's so much metal in that area it doesnt seem possible...

Is your wheel seated correctly?

Is your wheel seated correctly?

yeah

I cannot describe to you the level of aggravation I have achieved.... lol..

well,

if the rotor is aligned with the pads correctly and the rotor is rubbing against the caliper, the caliper woud have to be bent no? maybe the caliper took a hit and bent in a bit.

I would say go to work with the dremmel if all else looks properly aligned

is this NOS or used?

well,

if the rotor is aligned with the pads correctly and the rotor is rubbing against the caliper, the caliper woud have to be bent no? maybe the caliper took a hit and bent in a bit.

I would say go to work with the dremmel if all else looks properly aligned

is this NOS or used?

they are used...so maybe it is possible they're bent a little...I'm going to take them into the shop a little later and get their opinion too...

I don't have a dremmel or anything, but maybe the shop could help me out...we'll see...

Used pads? Is there enough material remaining on them? Try new pads maybe.

I don't have a dremmel or anything, but maybe the shop could help me out...we'll see...

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=137

aballas-

It just occurred to me to try swapping the rotors- perhaps by way of deduction you could pinpoint the problem.

Used pads? Is there enough material remaining on them? Try new pads maybe.

brand new pads...replaced them before i mounted everything up

aballas-

It just occurred to me to try swapping the rotors- perhaps by way of deduction you could pinpoint the problem.


also tried this..it's not the rotor

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=137

awesome....thanks :)

I'll prob get the shop to do this for me

I had the same problem with the same brake.In my case the fork was way out of alignment.Have a shop check the drop-outs for alignment.If it's ok,have them face the disc tabs.About ten bucks.

I had the same problem with the same brake.In my case the fork was way out of alignment.Have a shop check the drop-outs for alignment.If it's ok,have them face the disc tabs.About ten bucks.

Thanks...somewhat glad to hear it's not just my bike...although it's a brand new bike...would suck for the fork to be out of alignment...(although maybe the shop would cut me a deal on a lefty :) )

Shop's closed on Sunday...I'm taking it in tomorrow

I cannot describe to you the level of aggravation I have achieved.... lol..

Yeah, anyone who has worked on anything has been where you are. It could be a bike, a car or a kitchen sink.

Can you shim anywhere? From the pic I don't see where it would help but maybe a bolt not in the pic? If not I would file the the bolt face on the brake, looks like just a few thousand's of an inch should do it.

I have an update:

Took it into the shop today...showed them the problem, apparently it's a common issue with that model Louise...getting my fork mounts faced, and the lines bled and I'll be ready to ride later this week :)

cool need pics when it's done.

Just curious, but if it's a problem with the brake, why does the frame need to be faced? And why are you having the lines bled?

Just curious, but if it's a problem with the brake, why does the frame need to be faced? And why are you having the lines bled?

It's a common problem with that model louise (not just my caliper), and the fix is to face the mount on the fork.

Having the lines bled b/c they probably should be, and they needed to be shortened anyway...(easiest way of making a used set of brakes seem brand new....new pads, rotors, fresh fluid..)

It's a common problem with that model louise (not just my caliper), and the fix is to face the mount on the fork.

Having the lines bled b/c they probably should be, and they needed to be shortened anyway...(easiest way of making a used set of brakes seem brand new....new pads, rotors, fresh fluid..)


And after all these costs, were the used brakes still cheaper than new? Will facing the fork affect your ability to mount any other disc brake in the future?

And after all these costs, were the used brakes still cheaper than new? Will facing the fork affect your ability to mount any other disc brake in the future?

actually yes...considerably..

The calipers w/ levers & housing were only $20 (just caught a deal on ebay)... I already had the rotors, but if you want to count them too they were $40 , another $25 for pads, and about $30 for the labor, and i have a nice set of hydros for $70 ($110 if you count the rotors)

(new Louises cost more than twice that per wheel!)

Facing the mount won't affect mounting future brakes b/c you can always add shims...

actually yes...considerably..

The calipers w/ levers & housing were only $20 (just caught a deal on ebay)... I already had the rotors, but if you want to count them too they were $40 , another $25 for pads, and about $30 for the labor, and i have a nice set of hydros for $70 ($110 if you count the rotors)

(new Louises cost more than twice that per wheel!)

Facing the mount won't affect mounting future brakes b/c you can always add shims...

I am not sure how they compare to Hayes HFX-9 XC brakes (without rotors), but I bought a pair of them new on eBay for $79.00 +5.95 shipping back in January. I also picked up a pair of new 8" Hayes rotors for $34.95 + 4.95 shipping.