How to Repair a Bicycle Caliper Brake

Your bicycle's caliper brake system may malfunction for several possible reasons. Caliper brake systems come in side- and center-pull brakes with similar designs in that both use brake pads to slow and stop a bicycle. Difficulties in squeezing the brake levers or not stopping efficiently are indicators of problems that can affect your safety and reveal that your brakes need attention. Since these problems can result from several causes, examine the whole braking system carefully before beginning.

Things You'll Need

  • Pliers
  • Set of metric wrenches
  • Soap
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Light oil lubricant
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Instructions

  1. Cable Problems

    • 1

      Examine the cable to determine whether it has become rusted, gummed up or bent. If the cable and housing have developed any kinks, replace them.

    • 2

      Remove the cable from the calipers by loosening the anchor bolt nut holding the cable in place using a metric wrench.

    • 3

      Remove the cable from the lever by turning the adjustment nuts by the lever so the slots line up on the bottom. The cable can fit through the slots and down from the lever.

    • 4

      Pull the cable out of the housing. Clean and wipe down the cable with a solvent to remove rust and grime. Put drops of a light oil or lubricant into the cable housing and on the cable. Feed the cable back into the housing.

    • 5

      Install the cable onto the bicycle in reverse process. Pull on the cable with pliers after feeding it through the anchor bolt to make the cable tighter and tighten anchor nut. Fine adjustments are made by turning the barrel bolt so the brake pads seat 1 to 2 mm out from the rim.

    Brake Pad Problems

    • 6

      Remove the brake pads by unbolting the nut attached to the pads' bolt.

    • 7

      Examine the brake pads. If the brake pads appear worn, cracked or chipped, the pads need replacing. If they look hardened or glossy the pads need resurfacing.

    • 8

      Lay a piece of medium grit sandpaper face up on a flat surface and slide the brake pad across it. This will remove the hardened or glossy surface from the brake pad to provide better grip and less shudder or noise.

    • 9

      Reinstall the brake pad, adjusting with the barrel bolt to seat 1 to 2 mm out from the rim.

    Caliper Problems

    • 10

      Examine the caliper to determine whether it has become gummed up or sticky. If the caliper spring has come off its post, put it back on, using pliers to bend it into place.

    • 11

      Unscrew the anchor bolt nut that holds the cable to release the tension on the sticky caliper.

    • 12

      Unscrew the nut holding the calipers in place. On the side-pull, there is one nut and bolt. For the center-pull, there is a nut and bolt that holds each piece in place.

    • 13

      Clean the calipers with soap and water, then wipe them dry.

    • 14

      Bolt the caliper back into place and place a few drops of lubricant at the contact points.

    • 15

      Feed the cable back through the anchor bolt and pull on the cable with pliers after feeding it through the anchor bolt to make the cable tighter, and tighten anchor nut. Fine adjustments are made by turning the barrel bolt so the brake pads sit 1 to 2 mm out from the rim.