how important is the proper torque on a disc brake?
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how important is the proper torque on a disc brake?
i got my first set of disc brakes (front only really) for christmas and i was installing them yesterday and i've never seen a part or instructions push the proper torque as much as putting the disc on the wheel. it was in the instructions 3 times and even printed on the disc. is it THAT important to have it tightened to that amount? or is the point just to get it really tight? i can't see overtightening being a problem... not by hand anyway
oh, it's an Avid bb7, btw
oh, it's an Avid bb7, btw
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Originally Posted by wearyourtruth
i got my first set of disc brakes (front only really) for christmas and i was installing them yesterday and i've never seen a part or instructions push the proper torque as much as putting the disc on the wheel. it was in the instructions 3 times and even printed on the disc. is it THAT important to have it tightened to that amount? or is the point just to get it really tight? i can't see overtightening being a problem... not by hand anyway
Have fun with your new disc brake
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I think PPC is right on the money.
Although proper torque (bolt preload) is important, the torque sequence might be more important on a rotor. It's important for the rotor to sit flat against the hub. I always tighten a little at a time in a "cross Pattern" as suggested by PPC. First, I'll snug the fasteners down until they all contact, finger tight. Then I'll use a tool and turn each 1/4 turn in the cross pattern. When all is done, I usually go once around to make sure all is tight. Also, this prevents rotor warpage.
Installation torque helps keep prevent the fastener from vibrating loose and maintains friction between the rotor and hub. Depending on the design, the proper torque ensure the interface is clamped and held by friction, not shear in the bolts. But too much torque can strip the threads in the hub.
So, yes installation torque is important, but given proper torque sequence vs installation torque, I'd take torque sequence.
BTW, you can always estimate torque - remember, 1 ft-lb means: a 1 lb force acting at 1 foot lever arm, or a 1/2 lb force acting at 2 feet lever, or 2 lb force acting at 1/2 foot lever....
Although proper torque (bolt preload) is important, the torque sequence might be more important on a rotor. It's important for the rotor to sit flat against the hub. I always tighten a little at a time in a "cross Pattern" as suggested by PPC. First, I'll snug the fasteners down until they all contact, finger tight. Then I'll use a tool and turn each 1/4 turn in the cross pattern. When all is done, I usually go once around to make sure all is tight. Also, this prevents rotor warpage.
Installation torque helps keep prevent the fastener from vibrating loose and maintains friction between the rotor and hub. Depending on the design, the proper torque ensure the interface is clamped and held by friction, not shear in the bolts. But too much torque can strip the threads in the hub.
So, yes installation torque is important, but given proper torque sequence vs installation torque, I'd take torque sequence.
BTW, you can always estimate torque - remember, 1 ft-lb means: a 1 lb force acting at 1 foot lever arm, or a 1/2 lb force acting at 2 feet lever, or 2 lb force acting at 1/2 foot lever....
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Originally Posted by ppc
What's important is to tighten the 6 screws in a crossed pattern (1, 4, 3, 6, 2, 5)
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Originally Posted by Primo Tiki
A bike rotor will only deviate a few mm from round which does not cause any problems what-so-ever.
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The rotor may have been out of true to begin with. I have seen many cases when the rotor needs to be trued on a bike right out of the box, especially cheap bikes.