Bicycle Mechanics - Caliper brake issues

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Splashdown
08-12-09, 06:35 AM
Hello all...

First time posting to this forum, and I hope you can help!

Ive recently come into possession of a Suteki 15 steel road bike. I know, shes not the fanciest out there, but I like her... she had some quirks, most of which I managed to puzzle out my self.

My remaining issue is this: The "Lee-chi" branded caliper on the front wheel is a bit wierd. It works, quite well, but the left hand brake arm and pad do not return out as far as the right hand side of the caliper. My concern is that if the situation worsens, the pad and caliper arm will not release, and I have a brake pad that will be constantly riding the rim.

Can you guys (or girls) point me towards a likely candidate? Do I have to replace these before they get worse? Can I re-hab them?

Thanks!

~ Splash

dahoyle
08-12-09, 06:42 AM
Uh, loosen the nut, where the caliper is attached to the frame or fork, center the brake, retighten. Just like damn near every other caliper in the world.
DannoXYZ
08-12-09, 10:59 AM
You want to loosen the rear nut on the brake, rotate the caliper and re-tighten them. It helps to have the right tools for the job. You need something on the front side of the caliper to hold the centrebolt steady as you tighten the rear fixing nut on the caliper:

http://www.parktool.com/images_inc/repair_help/obw01.jpg
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=22

If your brake don't have flats on the side of the centrebolt to use the offset-wrench, you can kinda pre-twist the caliper a little to the opposite side so that the right-arm is closer before tightening the rear nut. Then the last 10-degrees or so of tightening will spin the caliper into a centred position.

AndrewP
08-12-09, 11:30 AM
Put a screwdriver on top of the return spring at the side not rubbing the rim and tap with a hammer.