Hydraulic Brake Replacement
#1
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Hydraulic Brake Replacement
My daughter's TREK bike came with hydraulic disk brakes. They suck so much we want a replacement set of brakes or a new bike(!).
The problem is they keep binding. It's not seizing, just the pads rub the rotor and locomotion is VERY difficult. The pads have been sanded and adjusted and... Some short time later, the brakes are rubbing again and later still the bike is almost un-rideable.
Can you guys offer any advice about what to buy as replacements? I believe we will need calipers, levers and cables.
Are the mounting interfaces and disk locations standardized or are we venturing into customization?
Thanks in advance.
The problem is they keep binding. It's not seizing, just the pads rub the rotor and locomotion is VERY difficult. The pads have been sanded and adjusted and... Some short time later, the brakes are rubbing again and later still the bike is almost un-rideable.
Can you guys offer any advice about what to buy as replacements? I believe we will need calipers, levers and cables.
Are the mounting interfaces and disk locations standardized or are we venturing into customization?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 04-12-21 at 09:05 PM.
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Did you buy the bike at a proper bike shop?
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Sounds like the pads aren't running parallel to the rotors if you're having trouble with rubbing and lousy stopping if they're hydraulic. Brakes not aligned would mean constant rubbing and lousy stopping since the pads are also trying to bend the rotor as you stop. This is also a constant issue with lousy cable brakes since one side usually doesn't move while the other side is pushing the rotor over to squeeze it between the two pads. When I wanted to upgrade the kids' cannondales from cable I went to randombikeparts and picked up two sets for 40 each, alivio level which works well for 60lb children.
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The Park Tool ref is an excellent one. But if you aren't a DIY'er, I'd check out another shop, with a good mechanic. Yes, some brakes are better than others, but most are not so bad that a good mechanic can't fix them. There are different mounts, so you have to buy brakes with the correct mount for the bike. If you decide to replace the brakes, even the less expensive Shimano brakes have a good reputation.
Last edited by freeranger; 04-13-21 at 08:34 AM.
#9
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As opposed to what, hydraulic rim brakes???
Anyway...if you're able to get the brakes adjusted, then they eventually go back out of adjustment, there might be an issue with pistons sticking. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could try cycling the pistons a few time without the pads in and cleaning, then re-lubing the pistons with brake fluid. Find a decent instructional video for this though, as it could result in pistons extending too far.
If you're already considering buying new brakes, I'd look at Shimano's lower tier 2-piston hydraulic brakes as already mentioned here. The Acera (MT200) brake would be a good option. For around $40-50 per brake, they'll include lever, caliper and hose.
Anyway...if you're able to get the brakes adjusted, then they eventually go back out of adjustment, there might be an issue with pistons sticking. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could try cycling the pistons a few time without the pads in and cleaning, then re-lubing the pistons with brake fluid. Find a decent instructional video for this though, as it could result in pistons extending too far.
If you're already considering buying new brakes, I'd look at Shimano's lower tier 2-piston hydraulic brakes as already mentioned here. The Acera (MT200) brake would be a good option. For around $40-50 per brake, they'll include lever, caliper and hose.
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As opposed to what, hydraulic rim brakes???
Anyway...if you're able to get the brakes adjusted, then they eventually go back out of adjustment, there might be an issue with pistons sticking. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could try cycling the pistons a few time without the pads in and cleaning, then re-lubing the pistons with brake fluid. Find a decent instructional video for this though, as it could result in pistons extending too far.
If you're already considering buying new brakes, I'd look at Shimano's lower tier 2-piston hydraulic brakes as already mentioned here. The Acera (MT200) brake would be a good option. For around $40-50 per brake, they'll include lever, caliper and hose.
Anyway...if you're able to get the brakes adjusted, then they eventually go back out of adjustment, there might be an issue with pistons sticking. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could try cycling the pistons a few time without the pads in and cleaning, then re-lubing the pistons with brake fluid. Find a decent instructional video for this though, as it could result in pistons extending too far.
If you're already considering buying new brakes, I'd look at Shimano's lower tier 2-piston hydraulic brakes as already mentioned here. The Acera (MT200) brake would be a good option. For around $40-50 per brake, they'll include lever, caliper and hose.
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So I guess your answer is no you cannot explain what is going on? . He asked a valid question. Is it a tick tick tick or is it a constant rubbing or something different? It could be a bunch of different factors and you just being a jerk about it doesn't help.
We are trying to help you but not really giving much info and us not being sure if you have hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes because you do mention cables. If you want help we are happy to help but if you don't want to help us help you and determine what is going on and what we can do to potentially solve the issues then we can't.
We are trying to help you but not really giving much info and us not being sure if you have hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes because you do mention cables. If you want help we are happy to help but if you don't want to help us help you and determine what is going on and what we can do to potentially solve the issues then we can't.
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So I guess your answer is no you cannot explain what is going on? . He asked a valid question. Is it a tick tick tick or is it a constant rubbing or something different? It could be a bunch of different factors and you just being a jerk about it doesn't help.
We are trying to help you but not really giving much info and us not being sure if you have hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes because you do mention cables. If you want help we are happy to help but if you don't want to help us help you and determine what is going on and what we can do to potentially solve the issues then we can't.
We are trying to help you but not really giving much info and us not being sure if you have hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes because you do mention cables. If you want help we are happy to help but if you don't want to help us help you and determine what is going on and what we can do to potentially solve the issues then we can't.
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