Author |
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Thump4fun
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 10:49 am: |
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After a ride last month that took me down about 20 miles of gravel roads (thanks to my buddies "Garmin Gravel Finder" setting -- LOL) I found that my brake lever was very clunky. Stopping became very herky jerky and the lever was the opposite of smooth. When I got home I washed the bike down and took the lever off. The dust from the gravel roads had gotten everywhere, including drying out whatever grease/oil was on the pivot pin. Cleaned up the pivot pin and the lever itself, then used some good old 3-in-1 oil. That put it back into smooth working order -- but only for a few days. Then the herky jerky came back. Took it apart a second time and used some of my waterproof bicycle chain grease. This time it was smooth for a little longer, maybe 2 weeks, then back to herky jerky. I repeated this this past weekend and am now waiting for the herky jerky to return. Obviously whatever they used at the factory was good enough to keep it smooth for 3 years and 12k miles. But I don't have a clue what to use myself. Any thoughts on what oil or grease to use on that pivot pin to keep it smooth? |
Terrys1980
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 11:13 am: |
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The pivot probably has grooves in it from the rocks. Try disassembling it and smoothing it out with some emery cloth. |
Thump4fun
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 11:20 am: |
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I already checked that because I thought the same thing. Both the pin and hole it sits in are still baby smooth as far as I can by sight and touch. |
Vospertw
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 06:44 pm: |
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Service manual says anti-seize. |
Aptbldr
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 07:14 pm: |
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Coincidence? Maybe the "herky jerky" braking action is not due to a funky lever pivot. |
Glitch
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 07:21 pm: |
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Dirty caliper |
Terrys1980
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 07:34 pm: |
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^Pistons could be sticking |
Glitch
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 08:17 pm: |
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That's what she said |
Thump4fun
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 08:34 pm: |
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I guess if I paid more attention to the words in the manual rather then just the pretty pictures, I may have actually read what Vospertw pointed out....anti-seize. DOH!! I'll give that a shot tomorrow night. Thanks! |
Tepiddeath
| Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 09:51 pm: |
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I would definitely give the pistons a good cleaning, you would be surprised how much it extends the life of the caliper if you clean the pistons at every oil or tire change, or both! |
Thump4fun
| Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 07:42 am: |
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Is there any trick to cleaning the pistons / caliper? |
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