DJ-RK
Well-known member
So I just had to replace the front rim on my bike (after the original one being damaged in a low-side), and after installing the reconstructed wheel on the bike, I'm getting some friction between the brake pads and the rotor and wondering if it's fine, or what to do.
At first, there was a LOT of friction, getting only 1 full rotation (or less) when spinning the wheel. I made sure to keep the axle nuts loose, and then compress the forks with the brakes engaged to align things (as I was told in a Youtube video), and the issue was still present. So then I removed the calipers, took out the brake pads, and reset the pistons back into their sockets, put the brake pads back in and there was way more clearance. Reinstalled the caliper, gave the wheel a spin and it spun freely. Pumped the brakes a couple times lightly, gave it a spin, still good. Went back and gave the brakes a firmer pump and this time felt more resistance while doing so, gave the wheel a spin and could hear the rotor in contact with the brake pads. Not as bad as it was before, I can get about 2-3 full rotations on a spin, but it's enough that I'm a little concerned. I also worry that if I were to brake hard if it would stay compressed even more like it was before.
I read that having some friction is to be expected, though, due to the fact that nothing mechanical is pulling the pistons back into place. I have no idea how much/little friction there was prior to the crash. For all I know, this is how it could have been beforehand. I considered the possibility of the rotor having been warped in the crash, since I did go down on the right side of the bike where the rotor is, but in my visual inspection it looks fine, and the friction noise is constant, not in intervals which I would expect would be the case as only the warped side of the rotor would come in contact.
If anything, I'm thinking that the caliper pistons are not retracting as easily as they should. It took a LOT of force to push them back into their sockets. I was only able to do one with my finger, the others I had to use a flathead screwdriver (I know, not a good idea) to push in all the way. So I'm thinking my next move would be to try to clean the pistons.
Can anyone with more experience with this stuff give any advice or feedback? Thanks.
At first, there was a LOT of friction, getting only 1 full rotation (or less) when spinning the wheel. I made sure to keep the axle nuts loose, and then compress the forks with the brakes engaged to align things (as I was told in a Youtube video), and the issue was still present. So then I removed the calipers, took out the brake pads, and reset the pistons back into their sockets, put the brake pads back in and there was way more clearance. Reinstalled the caliper, gave the wheel a spin and it spun freely. Pumped the brakes a couple times lightly, gave it a spin, still good. Went back and gave the brakes a firmer pump and this time felt more resistance while doing so, gave the wheel a spin and could hear the rotor in contact with the brake pads. Not as bad as it was before, I can get about 2-3 full rotations on a spin, but it's enough that I'm a little concerned. I also worry that if I were to brake hard if it would stay compressed even more like it was before.
I read that having some friction is to be expected, though, due to the fact that nothing mechanical is pulling the pistons back into place. I have no idea how much/little friction there was prior to the crash. For all I know, this is how it could have been beforehand. I considered the possibility of the rotor having been warped in the crash, since I did go down on the right side of the bike where the rotor is, but in my visual inspection it looks fine, and the friction noise is constant, not in intervals which I would expect would be the case as only the warped side of the rotor would come in contact.
If anything, I'm thinking that the caliper pistons are not retracting as easily as they should. It took a LOT of force to push them back into their sockets. I was only able to do one with my finger, the others I had to use a flathead screwdriver (I know, not a good idea) to push in all the way. So I'm thinking my next move would be to try to clean the pistons.
Can anyone with more experience with this stuff give any advice or feedback? Thanks.