Bicycle Mechanics - Installing new canti brakes

I am replacing my old canti brakes with a set of Pauls. My question is - should I grease or oil the bolt that attaches the brake arm to the stud?. I checked the Park website and it only says that I should grease the spring and outside of the stud but what about the threads on the inside of the stud?

I grease 'em.

don't really need to, the bolts holding the canti brakes to the studs are usually coated with a dab of loctite.

The directions for the Paul cantis don't say anything about grease, oil or Loctite. It just says to install the bolt finger tight and then adjust the pads. Once pads are adjusted then adjust spring tension and tighten down the bolt.

Is there a proper procedure or does it not really matter?

I grease 'em.

Me, too.

If you want to get them off in the future, grease 'em.

I am replacing my old canti brakes with a set of Pauls. My question is - should I grease or oil the bolt that attaches the brake arm to the stud?. I checked the Park website and it only says that I should grease the spring and outside of the stud but what about the threads on the inside of the stud?



To be clear, you're referring to what Paul refers to as the "mounting screws" that screw into the cantilever braze on stud?

Yes, grease the "mounting screws" , or what you call the "bolt" that attaches to the canti stud. I grease every braze-on bolt that goes into a frame.

I am referring to the screw that holds the brake arm assembly onto the braze on that is attached to the frame and/or fork.

I'd grease the bolt AND the braze-on that you slip the arms onto.

I'd grease both.

My last canti's (Shimano BR-550's) came with Loctite on the bolts. I left it there. If it wasn't there, though, I'd surely use grease or anti-seize.

Could I use Tenacious Oil on the mounting screw or is grease better?

Could I use Tenacious Oil on the mounting screw

Yes, you could.


or is grease better?

Yes, it is.

Grease (or anti-seize) lasts MUCH longer, and serves to help keep moisture out of the threads.

Here's some 101-type reading that may interest you:

General info on torque, lubrication, and fasteners:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=88

AND

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=89

AND

http://www.sacskyranch.com/antiseize.htm

AND

http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc14.html

I am referring to the screw that holds the brake arm assembly onto the braze on that is attached to the frame and/or fork.

Not finger-tight. Securely tight. As previously mentioned, loctite is often used.

If you live near salt water, grease it.