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Got gt 7 coming up on Saturday so giving the bike a once over and realised the brakes pads were almost down to the backing plate. No worries, ill buy some new ones. Except now I'm trying to fit them I realise that I can't get the piston nearly far enough back to create enough gap for the rotor.
Brakes are formula r1, and whilst they have always been a bit tight, there is no way im getting a set of pads in there. The pistons move freely but won't go all the way in, when one does the other pops out suggesting one possible fix is taking out some oil.
Is this an option before I urgently buy new brakes? I can't do a full bleed as don't have the kit or the knowledge, but as a last resort will opening the master cylinder screw a bit and pushing back the calipers help work without letting in air?
And do i unscrew at brake leaves or caliper?!!
Where are you tp?
Are these genuine Formula pads? I've known some brands to be thicker than the originals.
Otherwise, just let some fluid out, though an increase in volume suggests it's possibly contaminated and would benefit from a bleed in any case. That doesn't take long so its what I would do. (and new brakes might need bled anyway)
Edinburgh!
Nope not genuine pads which may be an issue, but even with them the gap I suspect would be too small. If I can get it bigger by letting out some fluid I may shell out for the originals, but at 20 quid a set im tempted to just buy some new brakes!
Formula spares are a total ripoff..I like the brakes, but the other day I was looking for a pad retainer pin, and it was 25 quid!!??
Sounds about right, i had the same in Morzine with Formulas and had to let some fluid out on the first evneing.
Is this an option before I urgently buy new brakes?
LBS
taking the cap off the reservoir/removing any bleed port screw at the lever end while it's level will allow any excess to come out but push the pistons in gently and no more than you need to - you dont; want too much fluid coming out or the lever travel will increase.
A quick solution, given that the forecast isn't too bad, with less chance for balls ups than letting fluid out (I guarantee that, as there's a special event involved, you'll let too much fluid out and ruin them), is just to file down the pads.
I'm coming to the race and if I had spare brakes I'd offer them but sadly I don't.
Edinburgh
Bit far for me to assist directly.
Lever bleed screw hopefully will let any air out assuming the bike is upright but can be a bit messy. Caliper is cleaner. If you've no bleed kit though chances of things getting worse are reasonable as if you push too much fluid give no chance of putting it back.
I had this issue with my formula R1X's after leaving bike unridden for ages.. Needed a bleed and a change of the washers behind the bleed port screws.
Used the kit from Epic bleed solutions. Was easy - took 30 mins. They also sell the washers. Kit contains a nice wedge to ensure you get pistons all the way back when you bleed.
Jeff
Superstar pads wouldn't go into my Hope's until I sanded down the backing plate and even then they were a tight fit.
Right..I had a go..
Front one worked perfectly. Second one the pistons won't go in fully. But enough fluid came out that I can't now get them to work with my old pads! So basically I'm screwed unless the man from pedals bike shop can fit me in..unlikely
Looks like a new rear brake required.
Don't brake! You'll probably win or crash.
push them out on one side instead of in.... give a squirt of brake cleaner.. then try pushing back in. You can use some Castrol Red Rubber grease to help too if you have any.
Found an lbs that could do it which I thought would be the hassle free option. Fingers crossed it comes back ok as its not the usual one I use.
If you get really stuck give me a shout. Other side of edinburgh from you but I can have a go at sorting them. Around friday daytime
Is this an option
Yes. They've probably been bled without the pistons being pushed all the way back in, so there's too much fluid in there.