Trying to fix up cantilever brakes and I messed with the barrel adjuster far too much. Can’t seem to get the ferrule to stay in the adjuster now. Cable is totally slack. Please advise
by TowardsEdJustice
Trying to fix up cantilever brakes and I messed with the barrel adjuster far too much. Can’t seem to get the ferrule to stay in the adjuster now. Cable is totally slack. Please advise
by TowardsEdJustice
6 Comments
You probably just need to tighten the cable by hand and make sure that ferrule in in the adjuster when doing so. You’ll likely need to loosen it up and tighten in the circle location.
https://preview.redd.it/3noidlvb04pg1.png?width=252&format=png&auto=webp&s=c13884b3021d7651128095569a5a81944234b976
If you haven’t, it’d be worthwhile to search Park Tool Cantilever Brakes and watch closely. Its really helpful to understand the mechanics of the brakes which are remarkably straightforward once you know what’s going on.
The fact that those front brakes arent moving in the slightest makes me think the plastic housings for the springs are cracked. Look where the cantilever brake arms mount to the fork and see if there’s broken plastic.
Replace cable and housing. Both.
Simplest troubleshooting is to first lube the cable and housing.
Often is is a simple as that. Galvanized, non slick cables will easily become seized within the housing .
Be sure to lube the pivot points on the canti brakes, as sell as pull the canti a from the post and clean and thin layer of grease on the post.
Very often it’s just as simple as that.
If you still have an issue, THEN you ca consider possible damage parts. But it’s a waste of money to just assume damage without first dealing with simple friction overload of dry components.
Adjust the slack at the brakes or replace the lever.