I’ve done this many times, but I still can’t seem to get it right (perfect) – i.e., centering brakes with any side pull caliper that does not have a secondary mechanical centering device.

Case in point: I just upped the spoke tension on a rear wheel (to obviate an annoying creak), and after re-truing the rim, I can only effect about a 1 micron gap between the left brake shoe and the rim, with about 7/32” gap to rim at the right side.

- I’d like to even this up, but after using my 3rd hand tool and resetting the caliper at the brake bridge , I just get the same result, at least once I squeeze the brake lever. - Ditto for trying to budge the caliper spring over.

Is there some special trick to centering these things? The caliper at hand is a Weinmann 605, but I’ve had the same issue with other side pull brakes as well.