This one is bizarre. It seems as if the left side caliper (as mounted and closest to camera) was miscast. There isn't any obvious sign of trauma to the brake body which would suggest it was previously bent in a collision or something else.

I got a Fuji Espree for a winter bike. I stripped it completely and scrubbed the frame and parts and am now rebuilding. I put the brake pads on the rear brake and wow are they ever misaligned! I installed the brake to double check. Pulled the rear brake and the brake stuck and then the spring popped off.

These are Dia Compe N500 brakes. General workhorse brakes found on low end to lower mid range bikes but normally they do work.

Here is what I have.

Top view - as you can see the pads are offset and not in line





Is it just me or is the left side (as mounted) caliper "off"?





I know bending aluminum is generally a bad idea but could this have already been bent or was it miss cast and just overlooked at the factory?

If I can somehow get the spring to stay on would there be any issues with having off-set brake pads??