Shimano Exage side pull brake spring replacement?
11-25-20, 11:47 AM
#1
Long time part timer
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Shimano Exage side pull brake spring replacement?
Greetings,
I am trying to find a replacement spring for an early 90's Shimano Exage BR-A350 side pull brake caliper but am not making too much progress.
First attempt at replacement was to just take one off of a scrapper bike but all I have are some older Dia-Compe models and those springs are too thick to "set" into the Exage caliper. Next attempt was to go to a couple of local LBS' to see if by chance they would have any suitable springs laying around. Neither one did and both recommended a whole new brake caliper. Online searches for replacement brake springs are coming up empty (I don't participate on ebay - I gave up there many years ago). Another idea I have is to contact a not-too-close-to-me bike co-op but have not done that yet. I suppose I could also post a BF ad in the appropriate section.
It seems silly to me to buy a whole new brake caliper and would like to believe there is someone or some source I could get a suitable spring from so I am asking for suggestions. Or, if my belief is delusional feel free to tell me that too.
Many thanks in advance!
I am trying to find a replacement spring for an early 90's Shimano Exage BR-A350 side pull brake caliper but am not making too much progress.
First attempt at replacement was to just take one off of a scrapper bike but all I have are some older Dia-Compe models and those springs are too thick to "set" into the Exage caliper. Next attempt was to go to a couple of local LBS' to see if by chance they would have any suitable springs laying around. Neither one did and both recommended a whole new brake caliper. Online searches for replacement brake springs are coming up empty (I don't participate on ebay - I gave up there many years ago). Another idea I have is to contact a not-too-close-to-me bike co-op but have not done that yet. I suppose I could also post a BF ad in the appropriate section.
It seems silly to me to buy a whole new brake caliper and would like to believe there is someone or some source I could get a suitable spring from so I am asking for suggestions. Or, if my belief is delusional feel free to tell me that too.
Many thanks in advance!
11-25-20, 11:54 AM
#2
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As much as this is a DIY fix it community, some bike parts just aren't worth the hassle.
What's wrong with the original spring?
What's wrong with the original spring?
11-25-20, 12:07 PM
#3
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11-25-20, 12:20 PM
#4
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If your local bike kitchen or coop is open and will let you dig around in their parts bins, you might get lucky.
The Exage group wasn't terribly high end, which is why sourcing a new caliper might be easier. Complete Exage brake calipers are under $20 on the Bay.
Something else to consider is why or how the spring broke. Was it from corrosion or a crash? Are other parts of the caliper worn or soon-to-break as well?
Otherwise maybe try the FS/FT thread and see it anyone has one laying around.
The Exage group wasn't terribly high end, which is why sourcing a new caliper might be easier. Complete Exage brake calipers are under $20 on the Bay.
Something else to consider is why or how the spring broke. Was it from corrosion or a crash? Are other parts of the caliper worn or soon-to-break as well?
Otherwise maybe try the FS/FT thread and see it anyone has one laying around.
11-25-20, 01:20 PM
#5
Long time part timer
Thread Starter
If your local bike kitchen or coop is open and will let you dig around in their parts bins, you might get lucky.
The Exage group wasn't terribly high end, which is why sourcing a new caliper might be easier. Complete Exage brake calipers are under $20 on the Bay.
Something else to consider is why or how the spring broke. Was it from corrosion or a crash? Are other parts of the caliper worn or soon-to-break as well?
Otherwise maybe try the FS/FT thread and see it anyone has one laying around.
The Exage group wasn't terribly high end, which is why sourcing a new caliper might be easier. Complete Exage brake calipers are under $20 on the Bay.
Something else to consider is why or how the spring broke. Was it from corrosion or a crash? Are other parts of the caliper worn or soon-to-break as well?
Otherwise maybe try the FS/FT thread and see it anyone has one laying around.
Although there was no visible corrosion on the original spring I guess I'm glad this happened in my basement rather than on the road if there was some sort of weakness to it. On the other hand if the original spring was OK I probably deserve more frustration having to deal with this nuisance after dealing with the lock nut. I know the Exage wasn't real high end but for me it's more of not pitching something that ought to still be useable with a nickel's worth of metal....if I can find it.I'll try a wanted post in the appropriate thread and cross my fingers. Still open to other suggestions. Thanks much!
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11-25-20, 02:15 PM
#6
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Greetings,
I am trying to find a replacement spring for an early 90's Shimano Exage BR-A350 side pull brake caliper but am not making too much progress.
First attempt at replacement was to just take one off of a scrapper bike but all I have are some older Dia-Compe models and those springs are too thick to "set" into the Exage caliper. Next attempt was to go to a couple of local LBS' to see if by chance they would have any suitable springs laying around. Neither one did and both recommended a whole new brake caliper. Online searches for replacement brake springs are coming up empty (I don't participate on ebay - I gave up there many years ago). Another idea I have is to contact a not-too-close-to-me bike co-op but have not done that yet. I suppose I could also post a BF ad in the appropriate section.
It seems silly to me to buy a whole new brake caliper and would like to believe there is someone or some source I could get a suitable spring from so I am asking for suggestions. Or, if my belief is delusional feel free to tell me that too.
Many thanks in advance!
I am trying to find a replacement spring for an early 90's Shimano Exage BR-A350 side pull brake caliper but am not making too much progress.
First attempt at replacement was to just take one off of a scrapper bike but all I have are some older Dia-Compe models and those springs are too thick to "set" into the Exage caliper. Next attempt was to go to a couple of local LBS' to see if by chance they would have any suitable springs laying around. Neither one did and both recommended a whole new brake caliper. Online searches for replacement brake springs are coming up empty (I don't participate on ebay - I gave up there many years ago). Another idea I have is to contact a not-too-close-to-me bike co-op but have not done that yet. I suppose I could also post a BF ad in the appropriate section.
It seems silly to me to buy a whole new brake caliper and would like to believe there is someone or some source I could get a suitable spring from so I am asking for suggestions. Or, if my belief is delusional feel free to tell me that too.
Many thanks in advance!
I also have on my Trek a set of mid '90's BR-A250's with RSX brifters and, although not latest/high performance calipers, with Shimano/ Cool Stops pads are pretty good for my use; I'd try to maintain them in service also. Good luck.
Last edited by Juan el Boricua; 11-25-20 at 02:20 PM.
11-25-20, 03:14 PM
#7
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11-25-20, 05:59 PM
#8
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can you get a pic of the spring and some best measurements? i'll look and see if i have something in my stash that would work. yours free/you ship if it works out
11-25-20, 06:03 PM
#9
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If you get into a DIY mood, it's not too difficult to make springs from scratch using the right metal stock for flat or simple coil springs, and some old school techniques. I've done the necessary heat treatment in a garden burn pit when I lived in a rural area. Back then I got the metal stock from Brownell's, an old gunsmith supplier, and instructions from an old gunsmith's manual for the heat treatment, but nowadays there are probably more sources for suitable metal stock.
11-26-20, 05:21 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
Here is the pic with measurements
Had to get over the 10 post minimum for this...apologies for a couple of other posts. I don't make the rules, I just follow 'em 
Anyhow here is the still-in-tact spring. I had to make a minor adjustment when I put the caliper back together but you get the idea.
Many thanks!
Anyhow here is the still-in-tact spring. I had to make a minor adjustment when I put the caliper back together but you get the idea.
Many thanks!
11-26-20, 05:24 PM
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if i can't get to it this evening, i will tomorrow asap
11-30-20, 02:05 PM
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dude ...haven't forgotten. work all weekend. i'll be back this evening with input
12-01-20, 09:56 PM
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No worries thook - you are doing me the favor for even checking so I appreciate whatever you can do whenever you can. Cheers!
12-02-20, 11:21 AM
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I will take a look, too but the best prospects are in my "bucket" that I would not visit until the weekend. Hope you can hold on that long cause I'm pretty confident I can find one there (but been wrong before!), if I do it will be a freebie (or at most for postage)
