Mountain Biking - Juicy rebuilt vs. replace

Correct me if I'm wrong, but an Avid Juicy caliper rebuild kit is around $35 per caliper, right?

So $70 +shipping + $12 for fluid +$25 for pads will get me rebuilt.

But...I could just get a totally new set of Juicy 5's off eBay for $100-$150.


Whassup widdat? Am I missing something?

Why do you need a caliper rebuild? Did you get moisture in the system? Boil it on all those huge Midwest descents? :D

Why do you need a caliper rebuild? Did you get moisture in the system? Boil it on all those huge Midwest descents? :D

I got a couple of sticky pistons that are sluggish to retract. I've really been doing alright b/c these are 2005 Juicy 5's and I've never rebuilt them.

Sticky pistons with no leaks? Easy to fix. Unless they're totally corroded or the system is shot a good inspection, clean, and lube should get your brake calipers back in shape.

Remove the caliper and take the pads out. Squeeze the brake lever slowly so that the pistons are forced out nearly all the way. Take a look at the piston and take a stiff brush to any rough stuff. After that dribble a few drops of brake fluid, mineral oil, Tri-Flow, or similar on the pistons. Force the pistons back into the caliper and repeat. Once you've done this two or three times put the pads back in, remount the caliper, center it on the rotor, then check to see if the pistons are sticking. Probably not a bad idea to bleed the calipers and bleed and fill the master cylinder as well at this point. You should be good to go after that and the only thing you spent was a few drops of whatever you decided to use on the pistons.

Mike

I got a couple of sticky pistons that are sluggish to retract. I've really been doing alright b/c these are 2005 Juicy 5's and I've never rebuilt them.

Follow the SRAM site pdf stuff about a rebuild as they are, and if all looks good, you may fix the problem without having to resort to a kit. Sometimes the pistons need a little lube. Ahem. tough call on the money thing, unless you can get a better deal on the parts. Dang, the caliper end stuff is spendy! A couple lever kits for me a while back where way, way cheaper!

Quick fix that may help:

1. Take the wheel out. Remove the pads.

2. Pull lever. Repeat. You want the pistons to pop out, but not all the way out.

3. Drizzle a little brake fluid around the exposed piston bits, and push them back into their bores.

4. Repeat a couple times.

5. Clean up any fluid on the caliper bits, reinstall everything, see how they feel.

If not, doing a rebuild isn't too hard, just take time and be careful to not get DOT fluid all over. Strip everything down and reassemble, making sure the pistons/seals/bores are nicely lubed up with fluid, then a nice new bleed. That worked for me with some sticky pistons.

Sticky pistons with no leaks? Easy to fix. Unless they're totally corroded or the system is shot a good inspection, clean, and lube should get your brake calipers back in shape.

Remove the caliper and take the pads out. Squeeze the brake lever slowly so that the pistons are forced out nearly all the way. Take a look at the piston and take a stiff brush to any rough stuff. After that dribble a few drops of brake fluid, mineral oil, Tri-Flow, or similar on the pistons. Force the pistons back into the caliper and repeat. Once you've done this two or three times put the pads back in, remount the caliper, center it on the rotor, then check to see if the pistons are sticking. Probably not a bad idea to bleed the calipers and bleed and fill the master cylinder as well at this point. You should be good to go after that and the only thing you spent was a few drops of whatever you decided to use on the pistons.

Mike

Don't put mineral oil on there it will eat at the seals. Use dot 4 or 5.1 brake fluid.