These calipers are fitted to both 140mm and 160mm diameter mountain bike discs
and are interchangeable. They are simple to adjust. 2.5, 4 and 5mm Allen (hex)
keys and maybe a small flat bladed screwdriver will be required. The required
bolt tightening torques are marked on the caliper. Do not overtighten any screws
as it is easy to strip the threads. Use nut lock compound such as Loctite 242 on
the caliper fixing bolts and also the Upper and Lower caliper securing screws.
The slightest amount on the tip of the screw threads is required.
If you have removed the wheel, from the bike, it will be necessary to re-locate
the brake caliper, so that it aligns with the wheel.
You do not need to remove the brake cable, nor the brake clamp (that is bolted
to the bike fork), just the brake calliper. You can simply loosen the screws and
move the calliper, but it makes sense to remove it and check the brake pads at
the same time.
The objective is to adjust them so
that the brake disc is situated centrally in the caliper slot. To achieve this the caliper screws on the side of the caliper are loosened with use of a 5mm Allen key. This enables the caliper to be pushed sidewards. Try spinning the wheel, and check that the brake pads do not touch the brake disc. Once the correct position has been found the clamping screws are retightened (torque 8Nm). Spin the wheel and ensure the pads do not contact the wheel adjusting as necessary but always tighten the Lower caliper screw before you tighten the Upper caliper screw. |
With the calliper removed you can check the brake pads. The rear pad is fixed,
whilst the front pad is closed when the brake handle is pressed.
So check that the rear pad has material standing proud of the calliper, so that
the pad touches the disc, as you do not want the disc to scrape against the
calliper body.
To adjust the rear pad.
With bike upside down, slacken the Fixed Pad Lock Screw with your 2.5mm Allen
key by three turns on the underside of the caliper. Once you have finished the
adjustment is secured by tightening the lock screw (torque 4Nm).
Note the Fixed Pad Adjustment Bolt adjusts the total clearance available between the pads and the disc. The closer you can adjust this then the less lever travel you will require to operate the brake.
Looking through the wheel, you can
see the Fixed Pad Adjustment Bolt. After turning the Bolt, so that it just touches the disc, slacken it off slightly, spin the wheel to check, then tighten the Lock Screw. Check by spinning the wheel again, as the lock screw can move the Bolt.
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The next step is the adjustment of the outer brake pad. The adjustment is that
of the brake cable. To provide the minimum clearance between the pad and the
disc the Cable Clamping Screw should be loosened with a 5mm Allen key and the
cable moved. The clamping screw should then be retightened (torque 6Nm).
Small adjustments can be carried out by means of the tension adjustment
screw/barrel, when the pads wear.
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The pads are held within the brake caliper when it is assembled to the disc. If
you need to replace the pads then
you simply unbolt the caliper from the forks and lift the pads from their
magnetic seats in the caliper. You need to align the small tab with the slot in
the caliper on re-assembly.
The rear pad (closest to the wheel) is fixed to the caliper and does not move.
When you operate the brake the outside pad presses against the disc forcing the
disc to deflect against the inside pad. The greater the brake lever force then
the greater the braking force. Disc brakes take time to bed in hence gain
effectiveness as the pad wears to the exact surface profile of the disc.