I've got a set of SRAM guide RSC brakes which are about 4 months outside of warranty period.
The front brake lever does not return when pulled and the caliper sticks closed on to the rotor. I can force the pistons/pads back in by taking the wheel off but and so stones the problem goes away for a short time then all of a sudden will come back again to the point hat the wheel can lock up.
Took it to workshop whilst out at fod and the mechanic, who was busy, said it's a known fault and if it was in warranty it would be replaced but it would need repairing or replacing as outside warranty.
Anyone had similar and fixed theirs DIY at home or am I just better off burning them and buying hope?
Loads of threads on it both on here and other forums. Have a search
Repair kits from SRAM are £33 per brake, there are cheaper ones on eBay.
Thanks dhrider. 😃
Ebay - look for the one from Taiwan - arrives in a week and is genuine - £11 ish each for the piston and a spring. Did my rear RS last year as that stuck, and just done my front on Friday as that went sticky stood in the sun recently.
You might need the kit with RSC though due to the extra bite adjustment wheel (there is a special tool). You don't need that with R and RS
SRAM are taking the pee, as all first Gen Guide brakes will need the piston changing at some point !
It's actually dangerous if it locks up on a hot sunny day. Dentist visit.
Thanks fossy, I've just had a look on eBay. 25 for the one from Taiwan for the RSC but it says can be 20 business days to deliver and I'm away on a biking holiday early June.
Not sure whether to risk it or just stump up for a new front brake (170 quid ISH).
Decisions decisions...
Third option. Take piston out and rub down the offending area of nylon.
Vids on YouTube how to do it. 👍
Some will say not to do it but many have. Your choice my friend.😉
You'll need the special tool for the RSC. Though you don't have circlip to faff with that the lower models have.
Got these replacement pistons. Alloy so in theory don't have the expanding in the heat problem, or any expansion is not an issue.
Quoted couple weeks for delivery but turned up within a week.
Third option. Take piston out and rub down the offending area of nylon.
Vids on YouTube how to do it.
^This. Did it on my front lever this summer and it's working a treat. Mine are just Rs and I only needed a small pair of circlip pliers. Otherwise standard tools will do. Surprisingly easy job. Now the rear is starting to stick, so will do that this w/e.
Is it obvious to see where you need to sand down. Assume there are some witness marks where the plastic has been sticking?
I fixed both the levers on my Guide Ultimates with the help of this video...
And this tool...
https://www.bike-components.de/fr/SRAM/Outil-de-Montage-pour-Guide-p43124/black-universal-o69400001/
For less than a tenner I was all fixed & running sweetly.
I chose to buy some Sram hydraulic grease too, just so as not to contaminate the fluid, but you could just use the brake fluid to lube the piston.
The Euro shops all seem to sell this original Sram tool for buttons, whereas all the UK shops I tried wanted to sell you a kit or charge you a lot more for just the tool.
It's a bit of a faff, but even though the guy in the vid looks a bit clumsy, he nails all the important details.
It's obvious where to sand, when you offer the cleaned up piston into the lever, the oversized/expanded lips are obvious. It's a very simple & cheap fix.
