Play within disc brakes?
#1
With a mighty wind
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,591
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1087 Post(s)
Liked 862 Times
in
490 Posts
Play within disc brakes?
Basic Shimano BR M446 brakes. Centerlock rotor.
If I grab the brake while not moving, I can rock forward and back a bit.
Everything seems tight. I double checked. The frame isn’t cracked. The rotor body isn’t cracked. I cant feel play in any individual component.
Yet, here we are.
My other bikes and the front of this one don’t do that.
I think it’s just inherent flex, 29” wheels, post mount adapters, mid range components. Should I investigate further or is this ok?
If I grab the brake while not moving, I can rock forward and back a bit.
Everything seems tight. I double checked. The frame isn’t cracked. The rotor body isn’t cracked. I cant feel play in any individual component.
Yet, here we are.
My other bikes and the front of this one don’t do that.
I think it’s just inherent flex, 29” wheels, post mount adapters, mid range components. Should I investigate further or is this ok?
#2
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,270 Times
in
1,439 Posts
My center lock - equipped bike did the same thing. Might just be a little pad play, but I wouldn’t worry about it unless it affects performance in some way.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
That would be terribly obvious. It's either pad movement in the caliper, a loose caliper or a loose rotor. If it were hub bearings putting the brake on would make it impossible to feel.
ETA: The obvious loose headset or maybe fork bushing wear, or loose q/r or thru axle.
ETA: The obvious loose headset or maybe fork bushing wear, or loose q/r or thru axle.
Last edited by cxwrench; 07-04-21 at 05:40 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077
Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times
in
972 Posts
edit: slop between the pads and the calipers makes sense, but in my case it was more than that.
#6
occasional marmot
It should not be very hard to do some forensics on the source of the movement. With the bike on the ground, or stand, engage the brake and try to create some movement in the system.
The potential locations are the rotor (loose bolts or lockring) the caliper (loose bolts) or some pad movement within the caliper (my bet).
The potential locations are the rotor (loose bolts or lockring) the caliper (loose bolts) or some pad movement within the caliper (my bet).
#8
Junior Member
Turn the fork sideways - lock the brake - and rock the bike back and forth. Place your fingers at the junction of the fork and frame. There should be little to no movement.
Pay attention to the hub and if MTB - the fork stanchions and crown.
Had that happen to me - the headset was not tensioned correctly - the other was a loose quick release.
Pay attention to the hub and if MTB - the fork stanchions and crown.
Had that happen to me - the headset was not tensioned correctly - the other was a loose quick release.