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jer1ch0
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 Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:29 am |
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Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Posts: 384
Location: Ireland
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Just thought I'd ask here first.
Got a Giant mountain bike. It has disc brakes. Lately the back brakes have become very inefficient. Sometimes I have to pump the brake lever to get them to work better. I'm guessing but is there is a pad down near the disc that could be worn? There is also a small housing near the brake lever with "Mineral Oil" wrote on it.
So, would it be pads or fluid? How can I fix it myself?
Thanks - John.
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mrpauljackson
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 10:37 am |
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Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:51 pm
Posts: 60
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I believe there is a brake pad that needs replacing, and the mineral oil is hydraulics will probably need topping up
I'd take it to a bike shop and tell them what's wrong, I'm sure they'd offer to fix it at a cost but if you want to do it yourself they'd sell the stuff to you.
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bigdave
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Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:20 am |
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Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:56 pm
Posts: 1932
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What make are the brakes? hydraulic discs usually have an adjustable piston on the leaver. Maugra's usually have a wacking big red dial on the lever, Hayes generally hide the adjuster but it'll be there!
If its a new(ish) Giant, I think theyre exclusively Shimano now (just checked and Shimano call brake fluid 'mineral oil' so that's that question answered..) so it all depends on which Shimano set your bikes been kitted out with?
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jer1ch0
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 1:46 am |
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Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Posts: 384
Location: Ireland
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BigDave, I'll check 2moro what make the brakes are. But, going by the replies, it looks like it could be brake fluid AND brake pads - right?
I have no bother bringing it into the bike shop, but if it's something i can do myself, all the better.
I'd be interested to do it anyway.
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Crossed-up
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 9:44 am |
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Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 9:16 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Leicester
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I've not much experience of discs systems since I still have V brakes and Magura hydraulic rim brakes on my bikes. But if you are having to pump the lever then you may have air in the system, in which case you will need to bleed them. Note that bike systems don't use normal automotive brake fluid, so get the recommended mineral oil if you need to bleed/top up. The pads should be easy enough to change but the last set I did (Maguras) were located magnetically in the caliper but also had a small leaf spring which was a bit of a fiddle to locate. I'm sure you will be fine doing it yourself.
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jer1ch0
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:14 am |
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Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:34 pm
Posts: 384
Location: Ireland
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Thanks guys. It looks like I cold do this myself but there is stuff that needs to be bought - probably from a bike shop. I think I'll pop into the bike shop next week and get a price.
At the end of the day, it needs to be done or I'll end up killing myself.
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