I have got a problem with my Elixir Rear Disc Brake. The Pads are brushing the disc. I have checked the disc and wheel and they seem fine. Do I need to adjust the pads or maybe replace them. Advice appreciated as I have never worked on disc brakes.

Disc brakes are of 2 basic types. On some (most mechanical) only one puck moves, and on others, (most hydraulic) both move.

What you need to to is adjust the brake according to this basic design. If only one puck moves, adjust so the stationary puck just clears, then use the cable adjuster tor the moving one. If both move, the easiest way is to loosen the entire brake, apply brake forcke so it clamps to the disc, then tighten it in that position. When released both pucks should move off to decent clearance.

Two things that make adjusting harder are a warped disc, which like a warped bike wheel needs more clearance to not rub at the high spots. The other is a caliper not squared up to match the disc. This has the disc running between the pucks at an angle, and rubbing in back on one, and in front on the other. Since total travel is small, it's important that everything is straight and square.

If both left and right pads are rubbing, you have to push the pistons back into the calliper. Of only one side is rubbing, loosen the calliper mounting bolts and slide it across until no rubbing. Googling 'elixir brake adjustment' will yield much better info than this forum.

-- joel

I had those brakes and had the same problem. There was no solution except eventually to replace the elixirs wit Shimano XTs. No more rubbing.

^ Problem.

v Solution.

Elixirs were problematic on a number of levels. If you are otherwise happy with them, follow FB's or tomacropod's advice; if you've never liked the feel and multiple bleed sessions per season, replace with Shimano.

If I have continued problems with these brakes I might invest in some Shimano XT Brakes. I have noticed that there alot cheaper on ebay if you buy then from Taiwan or Hong Kong. Anyone got any experience in buying bike parts from the far east.

Is Northern Ireland in the far east? I've bought a lot of stuff from ChainReaction Cycles including my XT brakes. It's half the price I'd pay here and arrives in <1 week with no shipping charges or (in Canada) taxes or duties. Sorry to local shops but if the industry can't provide competitive pricing it isn't my problem.

My experience is with the older Avid Juicy brakes, which don't attract as much hate, but hydraulic disks generally work the same. If the pads are dragging, once you have eliminated warped rotors and misaligned calipers, check for proper pad retraction and if they are not pulling away form the disk bleed the caliper and then start looking at the piston seals. The springiness of the rubber piston seals is what retracts the pads in a hydraulic disk brake and if the seals lose their spring they need to be replaced, debris build up on the pistons can also inhibit pad retraction,

Thanks for all the great replies. Alot of good info in all the posts. Got to say this is a great forum. Been busy with work. Had some spare time today so took the brake apart. Firstly got to say - The design of the Elixir Brakes is very poor and cheap. The piece of metal that holds the pads apart is damaged. I tried to get the metal back in shape so I could go for a ride today. No luck so went for a ride with just a front brake. Took it easy as the ride was on a dirt track and it would be no good slamming on the front brake at the last minute. Not a good idea to ride like this, especially if you like hitting some speed and slamming on your rear brakes. Easy to forget you only have front brake after a while. I will order the new parts for the caliper. Plan on buying a Shimano XT group set in 2015. So hopefully the Elixir brakes will last until then.

The pad spring can damaged when the pads wear down too far. A set of pads is supplied with a new pad spring. These and other dot fluid brakes should be bleed once every 12 months as the fluid deteriorates over time.

- joel

I have ordered new Pads and Spring. The brakes havent been bleed since I bought the bike. I will attempt this for the first time. Should be fun.

Big Mistake ordering the news Pads and Spring. I took off the back wheel today to change the tyre. I looked at the back brake again after I fitted the new tyre. The caliper is out of line. I will invest in some Shimano XT brakes. Just worried about the lugs that the caliper is bolted to. Hope I dont buy a new set of brakes and there's problems with the Lugs.

Some brakes and mounts have the means to not only move the brake sideways to find the disc, but also to adjust the angle so all is square. However this isn't true of all brakes and mounts. In a few cases I had to square up brand new bikes the old fashioned way, using a file.

Some brakes and mounts have the means to not only move the brake sideways to find the disc, but also to adjust the angle so all is square. However this isn't true of all brakes and mounts. In a few cases I had to square up brand new bikes the old fashioned way, using a file.

The Elixirs can do just that. They have domed washers that allow angle adjustments (they call it Caliper Positioning System - CPS)

Have you tried to realign the caliper?


--
Ragnar