Front Calliper Problem

[MONOLITH]

Hi,

I don't know much about the brake Callipers on my Curvy but I think I have done some damage. I was trying to get the front of the bike up on my paddock stand and it slipped and the right side front calliper fell onto the stand.

I inspected the damage and although nothing is visible I can now ever so slightly rock the calliper, probably about half a mill or less. It is not the mounting plate that moves, it is the actual calliper body. When I squeeze the brake it firms up as expected and I can't move it, however when I pull the brake lever I can here a clicking noise (not the brake light switch) which sounds exactly the same as when I rock the calliper.

I know it is not the best description but does it sound like an easy fix or have I messed things up good?

Any help would be really great.

[kaimera]

you could pull apart the caliper and see how she looks inside.

have a pointy myself but presume it's a similar process.

it's pretty straight forward, just take your time. get a service manual if you're gonna do it.

good experience :)

you will have to bleed the brakes after putting the caliper back on

[Lozzo]

The caliper body is meant to rock slightly, that's how the brake releases when you let go of the lever. I'd still take it to someone who knows more to get it checked out for sure though.

I don't think you've done any damage, but it's wise to get a professional opinion.

[MONOLITH]

Cheers for the replies guys. I decided to strip down the callipers and give them an overhaul. Getting the pistons out was a major issue though. In the end a foot pump prevailed however I made the school boy error of gripping the pistons with some pliers to try and get them out. Despite wrapping the pliers in several layers of insulating tape it has still managed to nick the pistons but only at the top.

From my reckoning it should be alright as the nicks are above where the seals sit when the piston is back in the cylinder so hopefully no fluid will leak out.

Turns out though that someone had caked the callipers in copper grease which has caused the boots to split and caused everything seized up due to that stuff gunking up.

Anyone know if I can use white lithium grease on the calliper pins? I know the red rubber grease is recommended but I have some lithium grease lying around so it would be easier if I could use that.

[andrewsmith]

I wouldn't want to risk it.

What you defining as the caliper pins?

[Lozzo]

Sounds like a dodgy reg/rec to me ;-)

[MONOLITH]

Basically the two pins that allow the main calliper body to slide with the mounting bracket (The two cylinders that go into the boots).

I looked at the grease and it is actually teflon grease not lithium grease. I've used it for quite a few other things including use with seals and rubber and it has worked fine in the past so I will just see how it goes. I've put them back together now and bled the brakes and it seems to be working alright. I'll go for a ride today and see what happens.

I'll give the reg/rec a look over today as that always seems to cause a spot of bother when something like this happens ;)