Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the May's Giveaway: Win the LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-bike Conversion Kit


caliper brake spring plate
#1
Question 
Ran into a problem with my caliper brakes. The right plate (with the three holes) for the spring keeps shifting downwards due to the springs tension. Tried tightening the bolt to see if the plate would stay in place but it wont budge, it won't loosen either and I'm a bit hesitant at trying again because I might damage the bolt. I can tap the plate back into place with a hammer but once the brakes are put back on and i pull the lever the plate will just shift back down and with that lose the needed brake tension. Does anyone know how to fix this? Is it not just a bolt holding it in place, is it maybe supposed to be soldered onto the frame? If you happen to know if theres a name for this plate I'd love to know because I can't find any information about it online.
Thanks in advance.


Attached Files Image(s)
       
  Reply
#2
looks like some sort of carbon frame where the post area has broken. maybe a warranty issue?. Or take apart and try to epoxy everything back in place. need more info on the bike
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
  Reply
#3
(07-31-2020, 09:38 AM)kuik Wrote:  ...I can tap the plate back into place with a hammer but once the brakes are put back on and i pull the lever the plate will just shift back down and with that lose the needed brake tension...

Welcome kuik,

Painkiller makes a great point about possible warranty coverage. I don't know if you purchased the bike new, but it seems that would be covered within the warranty period barring any accident/incidental damage. I wouldn't mess with it if there is the possibility of if being covered. Maybe even check to see if there is a recall related to it since it might make it less safe to ride.

I'm not intimately familiar with the hardware set-up, but I don't think it has anything to do with the bolt. That plate may have been pressed on and it's seat on the post may have become worn somehow. I certainly would not rotate it back into position when assembled since that would only cause more wear, and thus increase the play between the 2 parts' mating surfaces. I would disassemble the other side, presuming it's identical, and observe how the other plate is secured. If there is no other hardware holding it in place once the brake arm is removed I would have to assume a press fit, and that the same condition might arise with the other tension plates. There could easily (and unfortunately) have been issues during assembly where a piece of hardware was not installed, or installed incorrectly during building; another warranty issue.

Without really seeing it close up I wouldn't know what to recommend for repairing it. If no apparent damage anywhere else that could affect it, I would probably use industrial strength epoxy to repair a pressed on plate; and saying that, I would glue all of the other plates in order to prevent similar problems since you now know what might occur given the design. If it is overly loose, I would cut a tiny piece of shim material to insert before applying the epoxy in order for it to have somewhat of a tighter fit before the glue work is done.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New Member
Today 03:46 AM
How to stay safe while biking?
Today 03:44 AM
Safest bike helmets
Today 03:42 AM
Biking with helmet laws
Today 03:38 AM
Exploring the Hills with My Birch Hunter...
Today 12:48 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
Today 12:25 AM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
Yesterday 06:08 AM
Columbia 3 wheel differential
Yesterday 12:27 AM
Great Trail Ride - NW Lancaster, Pa
05-14-2025 05:26 PM
Pre Ride Food Intake
05-13-2025 11:12 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
21 posts
no avatar 2. Painkiller
20 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
16 posts
no avatar 4. SPINMAN
12 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
12 posts