Solve for Disc Brake problems on Pad Replacement

[paarlmtb]

I seem to have to bleed my Avid Brakes (Elixer5 and Juicy5) every time I replace pads despite cleaning pistons with brake fluid, making sure they are fully retracted and that neither piston is sticky.

 

The new pads always seem to be too close to the rotor and scrape lightly.

 

Is this a common problem, surely you should not have to bleed your brakes every time.

 

What is a seemingly simple task always turns into a mission.

 

And yes the pad alignment is done correctly!!

 

Edited July 31, 2013 by paarlmtb

[Gravity]

this is going to stir another avid vs shimano fest fur shur

my money is you are not screwing the reach adjuster out and then gently pushing the pistons back?

quite alot of avid fitting problems solved on mtbr.

[Mojoman]

I put new pads (std Avid pads) in last week. Just take out the old pads (on my Elixir 3's anyway..) and press in the pistons all the way. The pads will scrape a little, prehaps try some caliper adjustment but otherwise they will soon bed in, wear down a little and then the catching goes away. Periodically I will remove the pads, press the brake lever a few times and clean around the piston with an ear bud soaked in some brake fluid. Repeat as needed and then press the pistons all the way in.

 

You should not have to bleed brakes when changing the pads.

[Johan Bornman]

You are doing something wrong, or perceiving something wrong. There is no way that you have to rebleed when changing pads.

[paarlmtb]

It's that light scraping that I am talking about!

[paarlmtb]

You are doing something wrong, or perceiving something wrong. There is no way that you have to rebleed when changing pads.

I put new pads (std Avid pads) in last week. Just take out the old pads (on my Elixir 3's anyway..) and press in the pistons all the way. The pads will scrape a little, prehaps try some caliper adjustment but otherwise they will soon bed in, wear down a little and then the catching goes away. Periodically I will remove the pads, press the brake lever a few times and clean around the piston with an ear bud soaked in some brake fluid. Repeat as needed and then press the pistons all the way in. You should not have to bleed brakes when changing the pads.

 

It's that light scraping that I am talking about!

[Puncher]

I put new pads (std Avid pads) in last week. Just take out the old pads (on my Elixir 3's anyway..) and press in the pistons all the way. The pads will scrape a little, prehaps try some caliper adjustment but otherwise they will soon bed in, wear down a little and then the catching goes away. Periodically I will remove the pads, press the brake lever a few times and clean around the piston with an ear bud soaked in some brake fluid. Repeat as needed and then press the pistons all the way in.

 

You should not have to bleed brakes when changing the pads.

Is cleaning the pistons with brake fluid the best way to keep them lubed?

[paarlmtb]

this is going to stir another avid vs shimano fest fur shur

my money is you are not screwing the reach adjuster out and then gently pushing the pistons back?

quite alot of avid fitting problems solved on mtbr.

 

Please expand on the reach adjuster comment - what has that to do with pad adjustment? I would be great if that is the case

[paarlmtb]

You are doing something wrong, or perceiving something wrong. There is no way that you have to rebleed when changing pads.

 

I am glad that is the case - any idea's what it might be I am not taking into account.

 

I think sometimes that I have too much fluid in the system, that perhaps the avid bleed blocks, don't retract the pistons in completely?

[Mojoman]

Is cleaning the pistons with brake fluid the best way to keep them lubed?

It seems to work, I do the same with my Tektros and Shimano brakes every so often( but obviously with mineral oil with these!).

 

Have you tried some adjustment with the caliper? Loosen it slightly, spin the wheel, pull the brake lever, do this a couple of times and then hold the brake lever in and gently and evenly, tighten up the caliper. This is easier if you have a stand.

[Mojoman]

Please expand on the reach adjuster comment - what has that to do with pad adjustment? I would be great if that is the case

Not sure on your brakes but on my Elixir 3's there is no pad adjustment. The only adjustment I have is on the lever for reach.

[SwissVan]

this is going to stir ...SNIPPED

 

It's that light scraping that I am talking about!

 

I cant wait until the roadies start complaining about that light scrapping sound

 

Stir over

[paarlmtb]

It seems to work, I do the same with my Tektros and Shimano brakes every so often( but obviously with mineral oil with these!).

 

Have you tried some adjustment with the caliper? Loosen it slightly, spin the wheel, pull the brake lever, do this a couple of times and then hold the brake lever in and gently and evenly, tighten up the caliper. This is easier if you have a stand.

 

Yip that's what I do with the Elixers, the Juicy's I adjust by eye

[paarlmtb]

Not sure on your brakes but on my Elixir 3's there is no pad adjustment. The only adjustment I have is on the lever for reach.

 

Ok I am going to try this, maybe the lever adjust compresses the fluid a bit when adjusted closer???

[V12man]

Ok I am going to try this, maybe the lever adjust compresses the fluid a bit when adjusted closer???

 

No - it doesn't - brake fluid is to all intents and purposes incompressible.

[paarlmtb]

No - it doesn't - brake fluid is to all intents and purposes incompressible.

 

Ok then, substitute compresses with put pressure on or what ever happens when you pull on the lever to brake!!!!!!!!