Rear Brake Caliper Question

[Flylooper]

Hey guys....

I just changed out the brakes on my bike (Gen I) for the first time. At 50,000 miles it was time. As it turned out, the front pads were only 50% worn and the rears about 60%. I put on new pads anyway.)

As I buttoned up the rear caliper, in screwing down the two bolts (the ones with the rubber boot) I felt them kind of "bottom out." Or at least they didn't feel like a typical bolt feels when you approach "tight."

I don't have a torque value for them and so I've let them be until I can get an idea of how it should feel to the hand when tightening them. The last thing I want to do is break something with musclepower.

Also, I noted that the caliper seems to "float" over the rotor. It's not rigidly attached to the assembly frame (hence the rubber boots).

This is normal, correct?

Bob

 

[ads245]

Yep, those bolts allow the rear caliper to "float". Torque on those is 27 Nm.

 

[wfooshee]

Every caliper with pistons on only one side that you've ever looked at floats over the rotor. That's the only way to apply pressure from both sides. If it was rigidly attached it would push the disc over, resulting in Bad Things.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

A little brake specific grease inside those boots and on the flat, floating part of the bolt , also helps keeping the caliper from sticking and floating fully..