|   XT disc brakes-how to adjust for less lever pull? | Larry Klassen
Jul 10, 2002 10:42 AM | | I am new to XT disc brakes, and I just installed them onto my Ellsworth. They are used, but there is plenty of pad left on them. Is there a way to bring the pads closer to the rotor so I am not pulling the lever so far to engage them (much like if you would use the cable adjustment on a V brake to bring the pads closer to the rim, so they engage with less pull)? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I can't find anything on the net to show me how to do this. THanks alot. |
| re: XT disc brakes-how to adjust for less lever pull? | Tom Collins
Jul 10, 2002 12:11 PM | | I sorta touched on this the other day:
Tom Collins "Avid mechanical or XT Hydro?" 7/9/02 8:40am
This is just from my experience, so take it as just that.
Essentially, you can run the levers farther out (reach adjustment). It seems to have the effect of making the pads hit earlier in the lever travel. Of course, then you have your hands way out there. WHY it does this, I have no idea; it might just seem like it's working, I dunno.
Adding more fluid might also work - my Grimecas were engaging kinda late, and I added more fluid and it definitely fixed the problem. I haven't bothered to do it with my XTs though, b/c they're fine. I'm sure it would have the same effect though. |
| re: XT disc brakes-how to adjust for less lever pull? | CruzinJapan
Jul 11, 2002 4:25 AM | | 1. Remove the lower caliper mounting bolt.
2. Loosen the upper calipermounting bolt.
3. Rotate the caliper until the pads clear the rotor.
4. While watching the pads, SLOWLY pull the lever until it reaches the bar.
5. While still watching the pads, SLOWLY release the lever.
You will notice the pads do not return as far as they were pushed out.
Repeat the above steps until the pads barely fit back over the rotor.
This will give you earlier pad engagement.
If you do this when the pads are new, and then PROPERLY fill the resevoir, you won't have to worry about running the resevoir empty and getting air in the line while doing this.
Just keep in mind that if you over fill the resevoir, your brakes will pump up on long descents because the fluid won't have anywhere to expand into as it heats up.
As the pads wear, this is supposed to automatically happen, but I have never seen it work. I've only gotten it to work using this manual method.
Good luck. I know I have.
Chris |
| Great advice!! | Larry Klassen
Jul 11, 2002 12:48 PM | | At least I think so, I am gonna try it when I get home. Thanks alot, I appreciate the help! |
| worked perfectly, thanks alot... | Larry Klassen
Jul 14, 2002 6:01 PM | | I didn't know this about the brakes, I thought there were supposed to self-adjust, so now I know. Thanks again. |
| Actually the XT's WILL self-adjust... | AndyH
Jul 16, 2002 5:25 AM | | ...but if you need to move the pads closer to the rotor beyond the "normal" amount the XT's compensate for you need to use CruzinJapan's method. |
| |
