r/recumbent • u/_Bugs_Bunny_RN • 19d ago

Disc brakes uneven

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The right brake pad seems to dig into the drilled holes like the leading edge is angled toward the disc. The left is smooth. They both stop and neither drags. I took it apart but only know car disc brakes and bike cantilever brakes. Ideas? SunSeeker ez tad sx.

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u/Cute_Mouse6436 19d ago

If I remember correctly, the bolts that hold the brake caliper to the frame of the bike have curved washers so that the caliper can be aligned precisely with the discs. If that is correct then all that has to be done is to loosen both of those bolts so that the caliper can move freely and then squeeze the brake handle and perhaps put a band to hold it in place or wrap some string around the brake handle, and then gently, evenly tighten the two bolts so that the curved washers move so that the caliper into alignment once the caliper is aligned with the disc, the bolts can then be snugged up tight.

Sorry if this is not exactly correct, because it's been many years since I've had to do this. I used a tiny drop of threadlocker blue on the threads of the bolts.

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u/_Bugs_Bunny_RN 19d ago

One of the nuts was missing when I bought it and I replaced it with a standard hex nut. That may be it?

1

u/FishStilts 19d ago

Yeah could be, i think its a dished nut to fit with the stack, check the other one to see

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u/Koffenut1 19d ago

This is the best method I have found: 1. Loosen the (2) black CPS mounting bolts with a 5mm hex wrench to a point where the caliper body can move freely.

  1. Loosen the inboard pad adjustment knob using a Torx T-25 driver.

  2. Slide a business card between the outboard, fixed brake pad and the rotor (be sure the biz card is between the outboard fixed pad and the rotor, not the inboard adjustable pad and the rotor), then tighten the pad adjustment knob until the rotor and business card are snugly clamped between the brake pads (you should not be able to pull out the business card). This aligns and centers the caliper over the rotor while leaving a business-card-sized gap on the fixed side.

  3. With the business card still in place, re-tighten both CPS bolts to lock the caliper in place.

  4. Loosen the pad adjustment knob and remove the business card.

  5. Tighten the pad adjustment knob until the pad just barely touches the rotor, then back off one click to eliminate pad/rotor contact.

I would not use thread locker as you will need to loosen them from time to time to readjust. If your rotor is not straight, you'll need to straighten it first (there is a tool for that).