Misaligned disc brakes can cause annoying rubbing noises, decreased braking performance, and even premature wear on your brake pads and rotors. Luckily, aligning them is a relatively simple process you can do at home.
Tools You'll Need:
- Allen wrenches (usually 4mm or 5mm)
- Optional: Brake pad spacer
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Loosen the Caliper Bolts: Locate the two bolts that secure the brake caliper to the frame or fork. Use the appropriate Allen wrench to loosen them slightly. You don't need to remove the bolts completely, just enough so the caliper can move a little.
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Center the Caliper: While gently squeezing the brake lever, reposition the caliper so it sits squarely over the rotor. You should see an even gap on either side of the rotor between the brake pads.
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Tighten the Bolts: While maintaining pressure on the brake lever, carefully tighten the caliper bolts to the manufacturer's recommended torque. This will usually be around 6-8 Nm.
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Check for Rubbing: Spin the wheel and listen for any rubbing sounds. If you hear rubbing, it means the alignment is still off. Loosen the bolts slightly and make small adjustments to the caliper position until the rubbing stops.
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Fine-Tuning (Optional):
- Loosen and Adjust: If you're still experiencing slight rubbing, loosen one of the caliper bolts slightly (about 1/4 turn). Then, while maintaining pressure on the brake lever, retighten that same bolt.
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- Repeat: Repeat this process with the other caliper bolt. This individual adjustment can help to more accurately center the caliper over the rotor.
- Check Again: Spin the wheel and listen again for any rubbing. Continue to make minor adjustments until the rubbing stops completely.