Brakes are almost non existent, I have swapped the brake pads as they were wearing down but nothing too bad. I have now done a brake bleed and still have the same result. What else can I be looking at?
by nicnice
Brakes are almost non existent, I have swapped the brake pads as they were wearing down but nothing too bad. I have now done a brake bleed and still have the same result. What else can I be looking at?
by nicnice
6 Comments
Either you bled it wrong or there is a leak somewhere
Sometimes when I bleed a brake, I miss something that would eliminate air in the system. If I can’t get a good bleed after two tries (second try involves changing the angle of the caliper), then I hand it off to a colleague.
Bleed it again. What bleed method are you using? I prefer the gravity bleed method where I turn the brake level horizontal, install he bleed cup, and push the fluid through the whole system and out the caliper. Did you use a bleed block in the caliper? If not, you can’t bleed the brake without that. I also usually flick the hose to help work air bubbles out after I open and close the bleed port on the caliper.
I was a mechanic for a handful of years. Of all brake systems I’ve worked on, ranging from tektro to hope to trp, sram etc etc… THOSE specific brakes are given me the most trouble. It’s interesting how effective bleed processes vary between manufacturers but I’d also wager that’s something a lot of people skimp out on learning. Not saying YOU did that but it could be worth double checking 🤷♀️. If there’s confirmed no leak with new pads and still squishy level action, its almost guaranteed that there’s air in the system somewhere. The only things that could cause it to be squishy are either air in the system, worn pads or stiff piston ring seals really and if you’ve ensured no leaks, it’s probably air in the system still.
I don’t know but it sounds like you got starlings in it. I’d remove the birds first, then bleed it.
is it the rear brake? I see the NDS lever being pulled, but the caliper is rear. (euro style/ moto style… just making sure.)
if you are not reoming the brake feom the frame and letting it hang at the lowest point while makig sure that the lever at a high point in the most straight line/shortest path, then you are most definitely creating points of travel issues that allow air pockets to reside.
You absolutely need to get the brake hose to have a straight path that is as close to North/South as your set up allows. Air is no joke. Don’t allow pockets of air to hide during the bleed process.