Heh this question is going to make me sound like such a noob but how hard is it to replace the brake pads on a set of v brakes? Would it take a long time? Just my back brake has started making some 'entertaining' noises and I think it might be that I've worn the brake pad out. They haven't been changed since I got the bike and I've noticed recently that they aren't stopping me as effectively as they were.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Replacing brake pads on a V-break
(9 posts)- Started 12 years ago by Zenfrozt
- Latest reply from Grahamn
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Posted 12 years ago #
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Ah, no no no. You are a newbie. This is a very different animal from a n00b.
The newbie understands and is comfortable with the notion that it takes time, sometimes decades, to become a pro in any given field. The n00b insists from his or her first second that they know everything.
I replaced my rear V pads yesterday for exactly the same reason. I am such a newbie that I let them wear down to the point that the clamp at the back was grinding on my rim, which caused entertaining noises too. As as soon as I saw the wee filigree of metal on it, I scrapped my plans for the afternoon and went to the LBS. I'm pretty sure the rim hasn't lost any structurally significant amount of metal, but if you see and Uberuce Down thread soon, you'll know why.
Where was I? Oh yes, pads. They're easy to replace. There's no technical difficulty except to remember that when you un-Allan the V-brake from the arm thingy, all the little washers will fall off unless you've made plans to catch them. The pads have instructions on them as to which side they go on, so look for them before you put them on.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I find once you have loosely assembled the new blocks on, hold the breaks tight on your rim and nip up with the allen key to ensure the pads sit correctly against the rim, otherwise you'll end up not having effective brakes until they wear flat.
Posted 12 years ago # -
You may find that the cable needs lengthening too - it is likely that it has been adjusted for the worn pads.
There will be an adjustment knob that can be twiddled (probably at the levers), but even fully "in", it might not be enough, and at this point you may need to unscrew the cable clamp a bit, let some cable out, then tighten it again.
Bike shops will sell you a "fourth hand" tool specifically to help with this bit (letting out just the right amount can be tricky due to springs in the brake arms), but a friend can easily provide that hand too...
There'll be YouTube videos to guide you, or chat at PY, or during the Edinburgh 50...
Robert
Posted 12 years ago # -
If I buy the pads would someone be willing to walk me through the process before we start on Saturday?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sure if Instography gets us there in time.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yarp. I was going to be there for 8.30 anyway for the consumption of coffee, but I can make it 8.20 easily enough to swap out some pads.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Cool thanks guys :) I've got the allen key for it so that's not a problem.
Posted 12 years ago # -
you might find that you have cartridge pads , whereby you don`t have to replace the whole housing you just replace the rubber
have a look at your blocks and if they have a small screw holding the pad into the cartridge you can just buy new pads and you don`t even need to remove the blocks to re-new them
I
ve noticed the Edinburgh Bike Co-Op (see what I did there , didnt use EBC) are selling their own brand replacements for £2.99 ......... sortedPosted 12 years ago #
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