How (not) to clean the back brake

I have had the feeling my back brake may be binding slightly, so after a couple of months procrastination I set to cleaning the damn thing. I thought I'd do a photo-diary, in case it's of any help to others, and to invite comments/criticism, as I am not the greatest wielder of the mighty spanner.

My bike:


The back brake:


Remove these:


To gain access to:



Now begins the fun! Pump out the piston a couple of mm, pop out the pad carrier (from the cast metal bit the caliper attaches to)

and the spring (inside the caliper), and set about everything with a toothbrush, an old oily rag, and a small pot of paraffin. I picked away at the build-up of crud with a small screwdriver as well, until everything looked clean.


I pushed the piston back, and out and back again, using my not-at-all-bodgelike piston compressor:





[IMG]http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...arbrake_13.jpg[/IMG]

greased everything up and put it back again.




Check it works and test ride.
Stop after 5 miles, feel the disc to check it's cold, puff of smoke from my fingers tells me I have c*cked up somewhere, so let it cool, and ride back ad 20mph, stopping 3 times!

I fortunately hadn't warped the disc, but it was now getting dark, and I had to re-do the job properly. I hadn't checked the pads were properly seated in the carrier. If I'd have bothered to lift the back wheel and give it a spin I'd have known!

In my defence I'd done a double shift and by this time had been up 25 hours!

I've had issues with my rear caliber too. Took the rear wheel off to do new chain, sprocket and rear tyre, put it all back properly (god is it easier when theres two of you!). Span the rear wheel a couple of times and theres just a bit more resistance than normal. the pads are seated properly and the disk wasnt getting particularly hot. Being lazy and not using the rear brake much (for 'much' read 'ever') I left it.
Looked at it the other day and the brake hose was horizontal and the caliper bracket (thats what i call the cast iron bit) had rotated off the bit of metal it sits on inside the swing arm.
So far havent been bothered to take it apart the do it again properly, but I probably will when I fit ZX shock next week. Well I say that not but .....

Also I noticed that the rubber washer that goes between the caliper and carrier at the front caliper bolt was kinda getting chewed up from multiple attempts to mount the caliper. Could this be the issue/should I get a new one?

edit:Guess if I do take the caliper off I should clean it as it currently looks like the before photo above!

Originally Posted by tom_d

I've had issues with my rear caliber too. Took the rear wheel off to do new chain, sprocket and rear tyre, put it all back properly (god is it easier when theres two of you!). Span the rear wheel a couple of times and theres just a bit more resistance than normal. the pads are seated properly and the disk wasnt getting particularly hot. Being lazy and not using the rear brake much (for 'much' read 'ever') I left it.
Looked at it the other day and the brake hose was horizontal and the caliper bracket (thats what i call the cast iron bit) had rotated off the bit of metal it sits on inside the swing arm.
So far havent been bothered to take it apart the do it again properly, but I probably will when I fit ZX shock next week. Well I say that not but .....

Also I noticed that the rubber washer that goes between the caliper and carrier at the front caliper bolt was kinda getting chewed up from multiple attempts to mount the caliper. Could this be the issue/should I get a new one?

edit:Guess if I do take the caliper off I should clean it as it currently looks like the before photo above!

The rubber washer helps keep grease in. The two caliper bolts screw into opposite sides of the caliper. This is so the piston can pull the rear half of the caliper, and pad, onto the disc at the same time as it pushes the front pad. If this rubber bellows-type affair is hacked up, the grease will go hard a lot quicker. The brake will still work, but (since you're lazy!) replacing it will mean less brake cleaning in the future. Cleaning isn't as hard as re-assembly so do it. Here is a picture of a single-piston floating caliper. It is not the same as the SV, but is similar enough to give you an oversight.