I have took on a project to fix up a bike, i need to replace the brake

fatebpld · 07-24-2007, 03:13 PM

cables, but nothing happens.? I dont know if it cos i dont have proper tools but i tried to change the back brake cable today from the brake handle via the holes created in the bike to support the cable till it reaches the orher end in where it should stop the bike. The problems start when i think i have done a good job but when i squeeze on the handle to the brake it does stop the wheel from moving but it doesn't release straight away but gets sticky or stuck for some reason, looking for reasonable solution but can't find what am doing worng please help, trying to find a good website to cure problem.

mirageguitarworks · 07-24-2007, 03:14 PM

It could be that you tightened things too much, but it could also be that when you cut the housing to the correct size that you left a "burr" on the end. This might be catching the cable and stopping the movement.

You may also have the cable routed wrong and it is catching somewhere. Here are the steps to determine the problem:

1) Loosen the cable from the brake caliper and pull it free.

2) While holding the end of the cable pull the lever and allow it to rest against the handlebar, then pull the cable back through. Was there any friction that made it hard to make the lever open up again? If so, your problem is either in the cable or in the lever.

3) To check the lever, note that it should be loose enough that it moves freely. If it is tight, loosen the pivot bolt.

3a) To check the housing, simply slide each piece of the housing up and down the cable. There should be NO friction. If there is, check the housing ends for burrs.

4) If there was no significant friction found during step 2, squeeze the calipers by hand. Do they move easily? If not, you have something bound up. Often on "V" brakes the problem is that someone places too many washers between the head of the pivot bolt and the brake arm, or that the tension spring is placed in the wrong position, or that the stud was not greased before the arm was installed. I also (very rarely) see that the manufacturer accidentally paints the stud. If this is the case, take a knife and scrape the paint off before replacing the arm.

Always remember, especially when it comes to brakes that replacing parts also requires that you troubleshoot the whole system to be sure there are no underlying problems.

meradar · 07-24-2007, 03:14 PM

You may have tightened the bolts too much... Back them off just a little till the brakes move freely in both directions.