Cantilever anchor plate snapped, alternatives?

[rsacilotto]

I am fixing up a 1994 Specialized Hardrock as a commuter for my niece. I was testing the new front brake cable and the anchor plate (if that's what it's called) broke. This is the piece that is like a washer with two fingers that clamp the cable, and the fingers snapped off when I gave the lever a really hard squeeze. The cantis are original Shimano Tourney (BR-TY22), so replacement is probably going to be difficult. I haven't been able to find a part on the Internet, and haven't had time yet to try an LBS. I'm trying to keep costs minimal, so would like to avoid replacing the brakes. Is there a chance that I could find a compatible part at an LBS?

I tried an alternative, but I'm not sure it will work. I cut a shallow groove in the brake arm, closer to the bolt, put a heavier washer on the bolt and tightened the bolt with the cable in the groove. It seems to clamp the cable enough, but am not 100% confident it will hold up to hard braking. Has anyone tried this? Now that I think of this, I should probably put the good bolt on the front and fix the rear. Would that be good enough?

Here is a good anchor bolt next to the broken one.



Here is the modification I'm trying...

[dsbrantjr]

It's a little hard to tell from your photo but it looks like it could work. To test, squeeze the brakes as hard as you can a few times, holding the end of the lever for maximum leverage, 'cause that's what you will do in a panic stop. You might get a little better grip if you put a flat washer under the bolt head to get some more clamping pressure on the cable. My thinking is that the lock washer you have on there may flex slightly since the bolt head is not pressing directly on the edge of the washer where the clamping is occurring. You might also consider putting a "cable knarp" on the cable as a stop to prevent it from slipping past the washer. Of course you might try trolling the local bike shops to find the original part, but that has already failed so you solution could possibly work better.

[FBinNY]

If you can find an oversize washer with the right size hole, you can use it to fashion a workable replacement for the broken one. The key is to have a bend which will trap the wire so it can't hop over the side. It doesn't take much at all to do the job.

If you have trouble bending the lip, warm the area in the flame of a gas stove, and form it with 2 pairs of pliers while hot, or with one pair, working the bend against a piece of steel or a cast iron pot as an anvil. Otherwise, with a bit of creativity, some hand skill (not much of either needed) and a few basic tools you can make nice replacement from a piece of scrap steel. Stainless would be better, otherwise, paint it to prevent rust.

Before going to the effort, you might see if a local shop has a brake with a similar clamp tab in their junk bin, or give these guys a try.

[Retro Grouch]

Go to the oldest least reputable-looking LBS in town.

Show him what you need. They'll have something that will work.

[rsacilotto]

If you can find an oversize washer with the right size hole, you can use it to fashion a workable replacement for the broken one. The key is to have a bend which will trap the wire so it can't hop over the side. It doesn't take much at all to do the job.

If you have trouble bending the lip, warm the area in the flame of a gas stove, and form it with 2 pairs of pliers while hot, or with one pair, working the bend against a piece of steel or a cast iron pot as an anvil. Otherwise, with a bit of creativity, some hand skill (not much of either needed) and a few basic tools you can make nice replacement from a piece of scrap steel. Stainless would be better, otherwise, paint it to prevent rust.

Before going to the effort, you might see if a local shop has a brake with a similar clamp tab in their junk bin, or give these guys a try.

I just found a Tektro part which should do the job on Amazon for $7 including the shipping. Also, I will try a couple of LBS's before committing to either the oversized washer or the Tektro part. The washer in the picture above seems to be working, I used a nail punch to bend the edge over, but I will try your tips. I did swap the front and rear anchor bolts, so there should be a lot less force on the cable.

[Andrew R Stewart]

$7 is half what a new pair of cantis will cost (before tax of shipping). As it's your brakes here that's not too much difference to just replace all (and get fresh pads to boot!). Andy.

[IthaDan]

All the teeth in that plate do is keep the washer from spinning. The groove you cut might keep the cable from being tight unless you find a washer with a lip on it to sink into the groove itself. Honesly, you might have been better off just leaving it and using the washer. How did you break the washer without stripping out the arm? The washer is pretty tough steel, you must have really been leaning into it.

Good luck to you.

edit: with the groove already there, I'd skip the groove all together and wrap the cable around the bolt. that's the only way I'd trust this hack for reliable panic stops.

[rsacilotto]

I went to a little hole-in-the-wall LBS (good day for a ride!) and they had an approximate replacement that works fine. I don't know why the original part snapped, I didn't feel like I over-torqued the bolt, was just stretching the cable.

[Retro Grouch]

I went to a little hole-in-the-wall LBS (good day for a ride!) and they had an approximate replacement that works fine.

I bet it didn't cost much either. If they gave you a "freebie" I hope that you thought to tip the mechanic.

[rsacilotto]

I bet it didn't cost much either. If they gave you a "freebie" I hope that you thought to tip the mechanic.

It was a buck, completely fair! I will definitely go back, I'm going to need new tires this summer.