its a bit sticky....

[callam_nffc]

So I took my pads out as my front end felt a bit soft, they're fine so I just gave them a clean up

whacked the lot back together and at first there was nothing, no brakes at all
A couple of pumps sorted the feel out, but now the pissin things are stuck on, anyone any ideas why?
seems like I fix one problem and cause another, also the little grub type screw, wheres the best place to buy replacements? As mine are not looking too great

thanks

[sirch345]

I would double check you have put the pads back in properly, something definitely doesn't sound right. It may be just the one caliper that is causing this.

It's normal when you've been doing what you have to the brakes to need to pump the lever a few times to get some brake back.

Chris.

[popkat]

Did you push the pistons right back. when you put them back on you need to pump the brake slowly making sure the pistons come out evenly, if they don't you can get one side out more than the other, this will cause the brake to bind on.

[callam_nffc]

Hmm will have to have a look tomorrow, I gave up fiddling earlier as I couldnt be arsed to mess with it

[8541Hawk]

Also if you didn't clean the pistons before you pushed them back you could have pushed dirt into the seals causing binding.

[callam_nffc]

So I need to take them back out and check the pots are clean, whats best to clean them with?

Also I didnt think you should pump them without pads in? Plus one piston always comes out easier than the other doesnt it? Due to it being closer :s

[Tweety]

Also if you didn't clean the pistons before you pushed them back you could have pushed dirt into the seals causing binding.

I'd say this is the most likely one... Usually the pistons gets pushed in there when taking the pads off, and a little gunk makes them not want to play nice afterwards...

[popkat]

Pump the pistons out a little, not too far then use brake cleaner and a toothbrush, any really cruddy lumps gently pick off with a small screwdriver, be careful not to scratch the piston, you can use a fine wet and dry to clean the worst bits up you need to be gentle and it will take some of the coating off, then light smearing of copper grease, only light, push pistons back in, remove excess copper slip, refit pads, slowly pump brake until all pistons are out evenly. It is a fiddly job, easier with brake piston pliers but the don't always work. If your callipers are really bad you might end up having to split them.

[callam_nffc]

Thanks for the detailed info popkat
will get myself some copper slip and brake cleaner from work tomorrow

The calipers etc have not long been refurbed so no worries there

[AMCQ46]

The trick to make sure all 4 pistons come out far enough to clean them is to put a screw driver or alan key in the slot where the disk would go....pick one that is as big as will just fit in the gap.....then pump the pistons out and the one that moves easyly will come out first, but when it hits the bar the pressure will then move the other ones. Then tooth brush and brake cleaner.

Where popkat said use a screwdriver to move any lumps, I would worry about the risk of scratching the piston if you are not careful, so I cut and file the handle of the tooth brush to a sharpe edge and use that, as the plastic cant hurt the metal.

[popkat]

Where popkat said use a screwdriver to move any lumps, I would worry about the risk of scratching the piston if you are not careful, so I cut and file the handle of the tooth brush to a sharpe edge and use that, as the plastic cant hurt the metal.

Good idea, I use a really small screwdriver but I've done it many times and i'm comfortable with it, Sharpened tooth brush is safer bet.

I use a small extension bar to stop the pistons when pumping them out, a bit thicker than a disc but works ok.

[callam_nffc]

Sounds daft but would a piece of sheet metal do the trick?

[popkat]

Anything solid that fits the gap will do but it needs to be thick enough so the pistons don't come out too far and pop or you'll be bleeding the whole system through and cleaning up the mess. remember with no pads in the pistons come out a lot further. Once you've got them out far enough you can remove the block and get cleaning, be careful pushing them back in as if one goes fast another will pop out and you don't want that, you need to hold the pistons while pushing one back, it can be a tricky fiddly job.
You say you had the callipers refurbed not long ago, they shouldn't be too bad then, try what I said in my first post first you might not need to do too much.

[sirch345]

so I cut and file the handle of the tooth brush to a sharpe edge and use that, as the plastic cant hurt the metal.

Now I'm normally good at using an alternative item for certain jobs when it comes to working on a bike or other vehicle, but using a filed down handle of a tooth brush was one I hadn't thought about, well done Al, good tip

Chris.

[callam_nffc]

Just gone to sort themand theyre fine

pumped them and they work fine without sticking

wtf is that all about? Airlock or something maybe?