07/01/25 at 6:23pm
  Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board › Mixed Bag › Gear & Tech › Rotor won't fit into caliper
(Moderator: Enoch)
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Print
Normal Topic Rotor won't fit into caliper (Read 1042 times)
dstewart3ss
Coaster Bike
**
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 237
Joined: 12/30/10
Rotor won't fit into caliper
02/12/17 at 1:48am
Print Post  
Ok so it's been a long time since I rode my stumpjumper 29 HT. I tried getting it ready to ride today and cannot seem to get the front rotor to fit in between the brake pads. I have tried everything I know to do including taking out the brake pads, pushing the piston as far back as possible with no success. They are not new brakes pads and the rotor had enough clearance the last time I rode. Lastly if it means anything my bike has been hanging in my garage with the front tire off since the last time I rode a year, maybe 2 ago.

Please help as I'd like to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather tomorrow.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
DirtDan
Coaster Bike
**
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 95
Location: Charlotte
Joined: 07/23/13
Re: Rotor won't fit into caliper
Reply #1 - 02/12/17 at 3:16am
Print Post  
Sounds like a piston may be sticking in the caliper.  I had a similar problem with an old set of Avid 3s.  I only was able to get them to free up after working them in and out several times, replacing the fluid and bleeding them.  It was a pain in the saddle, for sure.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
OoHoO
Little Ring
****
Offline


Gnar...Gnar...Gnar..

Posts: 696
Location: Charlotte
Joined: 08/21/13
Re: Rotor won't fit into caliper
Reply #2 - 02/12/17 at 3:30am
Print Post  
DirtDan wrote on 02/12/17 at 3:16am:
Sounds like a piston may be sticking in the caliper.  I had a similar problem with an old set of Avid 3s.  I only was able to get them to free up after working them in and out several times, replacing the fluid and bleeding them.  It was a pain in the saddle, for sure. 

What he said, sounds like stuck piston, it can help to take pads out keep compressing brakes to expose sides of Pistons, throughly clean with alcohol in side caliper and pistons and then try and push pistons back out.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
2016 Santa Cruz Hightower CC 29 - Ridin' It
2014 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 29 - Gone
2012 Cannondale Trail 6 - Gone
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
dstewart3ss
Coaster Bike
**
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 237
Joined: 12/30/10
Re: Rotor won't fit into caliper
Reply #3 - 02/12/17 at 6:18pm
Print Post  
Thanks for the replies. They are avid elixirs. It doesn't look like the pistons hardly move at all when I pull the lever. Sounds like I might need to take it to a local shop and have it serviced.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
The Cycle Path
IB Room
In The Loop
Project Board
Offline


Treasurer '11 to '18.
Trail Chair '12-'18,
'20-'21

Posts: 11858
Location: Lake Norman
Joined: 08/04/03
Re: Rotor won't fit into caliper
Reply #4 - 02/13/17 at 11:13am
Print Post  
dstewart3ss wrote on 02/12/17 at 6:18pm:
Thanks for the replies. They are avid elixirs. It doesn't look like the pistons hardly move at all when I pull the lever. Sounds like I might need to take it to a local shop and have it serviced.

That right there is your problem.  Here's the best way to fix it.   

With the brake pads installed, put a rag or paper towel under the bleed fitting at the lever.  While using a clean flat blade screwdriver to push the pads in, slowly open the bleed fitting to allow some excess fluid to escape.  Once the pistons are fully retracted close the bleed fitting. NOTE:  Do NOT take pressure off the brake pads while the bleeder is open or you'll introduce more air into the system.

If that doesn't work, remove and replace with Shimano brakes.

Good luck!
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
We carry the finest from Specialized, Yeti, Transition, and Kona.
Back to top
WWWFacebook  
IP Logged
 
flynbryan19
Small Cog
***
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 454
Location: Salisbury, NC
Joined: 12/08/11
Re: Rotor won't fit into caliper
Reply #5 - 02/13/17 at 1:00pm
Print Post  
The Cycle Path wrote on 02/13/17 at 11:13am:


If that doesn't work, remove and replace with Shimano brakes.

Good luck!


One of these options sounds awesome......  Cool
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Bryan Sutherland
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
OoHoO
Little Ring
****
Offline


Gnar...Gnar...Gnar..

Posts: 696
Location: Charlotte
Joined: 08/21/13
Re: Rotor won't fit into caliper
Reply #6 - 02/13/17 at 1:19pm
Print Post  
The Cycle Path wrote on 02/13/17 at 11:13am:


If that doesn't work, remove and replace with Shimano brakes.

Good luck!

Lol...what he said... Grin

You can get XT's or SLX's pretty darn cheap now (probably about as much as getting a shop to do some service work) and both are bomb proof...
« Last Edit: 02/13/17 at 1:20pm by OoHoO »  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
2016 Santa Cruz Hightower CC 29 - Ridin' It
2014 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 29 - Gone
2012 Cannondale Trail 6 - Gone
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Print
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
 
  « Board Index ‹ Board Top  

Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2025. All Rights Reserved.