NateRod

If the mods think this would be more suitable for the mechanics section, let me know. I just figured I'd throw it out here first, in case someone had a quick answer.


Lately I've been noticing a new problem with my front brake. Whenever I pull on my lever and then let go, the caliper twists clockwise (viewed from riding position), making the right pad stick to my rim.

this forces me to have to twist the caliper back into place constantly, which is annoying... and a little dangerous as well.

I was thinking that the mounting bolt may have been loose... but after checking, it was actually pretty snug on there.

Then I tried something else. I slid the brake lever a little farther away from the stem and that seemed to improve things a bit.

So I'm thinking it could be something with the housing. it does have a slightly sharp bend in it, which I think translates into not-so-smooth cable action. Right? So maybe it's too long...


Still the whole pivoting of the caliper raised another red flag.


Thoughts?

Scrodzilla

From your pic on VeloSpace, your cable doesn't look too long. I've never even heard of the caliper you've got listed. Is it a cheapie?

The Weak Link

Brake is for woosie

Fixie Flyer

The problem could be something as simple as replacing a cable, and/or greasing it, to the caliper itself. Sounds as if the caliper is sticking and causing the rotation.
Try lubing the caliper in the joints and putting a few drops down the brake housing at the lever. You will be surprised at what a non greased/lubed cable will do especially when they are old !

jtgotsjets

switch to cantilevers

ilikebikes

Replace the cable with a new greased cable and lube the caliper at the joints, just a drop will be enough, and put a drop on the spring ends where they meet up with the caliper, after you have that done loosen the nut on the front brake and have someone apply the front brake hard! then (while the person is still applying the brake) tighten the nut till it gets snug then give it a quarter turn. When all this is done repeatedly apply and re-apply the brake till its all lossened up and ready to go! This always works for me. ;0)

NateRod

Yeah it's a cheapie / generic caliper that came installed on my older bike. I basically took the entire brake setup from that bike (lever, cable, caliper) and slapped it onto the new one.

I'll try the lube suggestion when I get back home tomorrow and will work from there if the problem persists.

Thanks chaps!

cnnrmccloskey

i ended up having to add a locking washer under my mounting bolt once, however I've had this problem be caused by many different things

carleton

Moving to mechanics.

It may be as simple as tightening the bolt behind the fork.

NateRod

sure, no problem.

Anyways I did tighten the bolt behind the fork as far as it could go, and even added an extra washer just in case. Kept happening.

I may need to try this, if I the problem persists after lubing.

DannoXYZ 

Are you sure the centrebolt spins? Or is it just not centered? The process of tightening the rear nut always seems to rotate the centrebolt a little, causing one brake-pad to be closer to the rim than the other. The solution is to use a 2nd wrench to hold the centrebolt steady as you tighten the rear nut:


https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=22

note that the arrow for the left-hand is reserved. But you get the idea. The threads on the nut may also be stripped from repeated use, may need to be replaced.

wroomwroomoops

God, I hate those nitrile gloves! The smell makes me puke. Luckily in my cleanroom we have the choice of either latex or nitrile.

NateRod

Hmmm. I'll have to check that out tomorrow when I get back home. I'll report back.

Thanks for the links!

DannoXYZ 

You're welcome. I mean to say that the arrow is reversed for the left-hand. You actually want to be moving your hands together; spinning the wrenches in opposite directions. Kinda like squeezing a pair of pliers with both hands. The left-hand counter-acts the rotation of the centrebolt caused by the right hand.