Shoe my brakes

KStaford

I got a tip here recently that I should shoe my brakes to stop fwb's screeching. For the life of me I cannot see how to adjust the angle of the pad. Would you have a look at this image of my front brake and advise? Where/How do I make the adjustment ?

Many thanks

kenmc

It's called toeing in, not shoeing!

loosen B, then you can change the angle of the pads and tighten the nut again - there's roundy washers either side of the brake arm to allow you to change the angles.

KStaford

kenmc wrote: »

It's called toeing in, not shoeing!

well call me wanda and slap me sideways:D sorry ken and thanks for that. Its starting to make sense

KStaford

btw, whats A for ?

seamus

It's for adjusting the spring tension.

KStaford

is it possible to adjust the idle alignment? by that I mean how far each pad sits from the rim..(you can reach down and push it either way but it springs back)

kenmc

thats the spring tension!

KStaford

I suppose a bit of trial and error wont do much harm, many thanks all

seamus

KStaford wrote: »

is it possible to adjust the idle alignment? by that I mean how far each pad sits from the rim..(you can reach down and push it either way but it springs back)

The reason for adjusting the spring tension is to ensure that both pads are an equal distance from the rim. You adjust the actual distance by adjusting the tautness of the brake cable.

Trial and error

Raam

seamus wrote: »

The reason for adjusting the spring tension is to ensure that both pads are an equal distance from the rim. You adjust the actual distance by adjusting the tautness of the brake cable.

Trial and error

What's the correct way to do that with calipers? I just grab the whole thing and turn until it looks right.

seamus

With calipers, I haven't a clue, only know vbrakes and cantilevers. Damn MTBer

KStaford

seamus wrote: »

The reason for adjusting the spring tension is to ensure that both pads are an equal distance from the rim. You adjust the actual distance by adjusting the tautness of the brake cable.

Trial and error

so could I use the tension adjusters (A) to re-centre the pads to the rim ?

kenmc

Raam wrote: »

What's the correct way to do that with calipers? I just grab the whole thing and turn until it looks right.

same!

seamus

No, you'd use B to adjust the angle, height or rotation of the pad itself.

Easiest way to do it at the start is to adjust the angle of the pads using B. Then screw out the barrel adjuster on the brake lever about 3/4 of the way. Then press both arms/pads against the rim and pull all of the slack out the cable and tighten the cable clamp. Then screw in the barrel adjuster and this should give you about 2mm of clearance on both sides between the pad and the rim. If both pads aren't an equal distance from the rim (e.g. one is almost rubbing and the other is miles away), then use the spring tension adjusters (C) to balance them out.

Your mileage may vary and this doesn't work if your wheels aren't perfectly true It can also result in excessively tight brakes where you've very little travel in the lever. But it's a good starting point because at the very least you can get the spring balance and pad positions right.