Guidance on Campy brake mounting

[cgolvin]

Recently I noticed that the space between my fork and the pivot on my Campy Record front brake is very small. Concerned that it might actually be rubbing and damaging the paint, I thought I'd insert a small washer to add a bit of clearance. I picked up a couple of washers from an LBS and removed the brake. The good news is that there is no damage to the fork's finish, but now I'm a bit uncertain about the correct installation.

The picture below shows what I was preparing to do, with the red arrow pointing to the additional washer. Unfortunately, the washer came off a Shimano caliper and has a smaller outer diameter. If I were to install as pictured, the new washer would sit against the inner portion of the knurled washer that is in the fork, but not against the actual knurled portion, which seems like a very bad situation.

I think the answer is likely obvious — get a washer of the correct outer diameter [you dope]. However, I'm still wondering about the correct installation procedure. Assuming I obtain the correct diameter washer, my questions:
1) Is the piece pointed at by the blue arrow designed to come off? If so, what's the removal process? (I loosened the allen screw that goes into it but still couldn't dislodge it and didn't want to use too much force.)
2) If yes, on which side of that piece should I place the new spacing washer, or does it not matter?
Thanks for your help.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4613/25767647167_70202e24c0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FfZVLK)Front brake (https://flic.kr/p/FfZVLK) by cgolvin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/nivlog/), on Flickr

[AngryScientist]

the part with the blue arrow is what holds the brake together at the pivot point. it is a stationary part. you should really have a star knurled washer between the brake and the fork. this is designed to prevent any rotation between the brake and the fork. every pair of brakes i've ever seen come with these. i know for certain i have a handful of spares laying in my parts box. fine one of these and install it. literally any bike shop on the planet will have these laying about.

https://www.eurobikeparts.com/prodimages/IMG_6439-001.JPG

[eBAUMANN]

no need to touch blue arrow bit.
just stack up some washers in between it and the fork until you have the clearance you need.

ideally you want at least one of these (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Campagnolo-Toothed-Brake-Mounting-Washer/108532243?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=534&adid=22222222227039759668&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=85714616090&wl4=aud-261800281900:pla-193893713810&wl5=9002014&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112354598&wl11=online&wl12=108532243&wl13=&veh=sem) in there somewhere to keep the caliper centered as well.

(nick beat me to it ha)

[Mark McM]

The piece pointed to by the blue arrow is not intended to be removed - it is the lock nut that locks against the stub arm, and holds the caliper together. Do not add any extra spacers underneath this lock nut.

Normally, the calipers are spaced away from the frame with star washers, and Campagnolo calipers come with 1 or 2 of these. Star washers not only space the caliper away from the frame, but they also to keep the caliper from rotating on the frame (i.e, keep the caliper from being knocked out of alignment). The star washers are simply slid onto the brake bolt, just like the washer that you have inserted. Campagnolo's star washers are also stackable, in case more space is required.

So, the best answer is: Instead of a flat washer to the space the caliper, use a brake star washer. Brake star washers are fairly standard between brands, so if you can't find a Campagnolo star washer, a star washer of another brand will likely do.

https://static.modernbike.com/Product_Images/large_63830_20150514030411.jpg

[AngryScientist]

at least we're all in agreement here :hello:

[cgolvin]

Thanks all, realize now that I could have been more clear.

I do have a star washer (what I called a knurled washer) in the fork. Somehow I thought I'd read that stacking them was discouraged, but apparently I'm mistaken.

Better to stack star washers or ok to insert a correct diameter flat washer between the existing star washer and the caliper?

[Hindmost]

Stack. It prevents rotation. Campy provides an extra for this purpose.

[speedevil]

Adding a flat washer between the star washer and the caliper would defeat the anti-twist properties of the star washer. Just stack another one in there if you need to space the caliper away from the fork.

[teleguy57]

I've done this with good results, and also used a slightly thicker shim that I filed on an angle to give more clearance under brake bridge while still keeping the pads aligned with the rim.

FWIW, the 2015 Chorus calipers have a bit more clearance than earlier years. I think the older single pivots may have a bit more than thee as well. if you want to stick with Campag (as I have).

[pdmtong]

IFWIW, the 2015 Chorus calipers have a bit more clearance than earlier years. I think the older single pivots may have a bit more than thee as well. if you want to stick with Campag (as I have).

Get rid of the flat washer the red arrow points to. Do not touch the piece the blue arrow points to - that's a part of the brake.

Replace the flat washer with a knurled/star washer - now you have two installed (the new one and the one on the fork). ok to add a third if you need to. just make sure you can get 3+ turns of the brake bolt in the fork to ensure you have sufficient bite to hold the brake on the fork.

The note about 2015 Chorus is accurate and shocking. the BR15-CHDP (BRakes, 2015 CHorus Dual Pivot). I just replaced some older skeleton brakes with these to gain the vertical clearance I needed to run a C17 with a corsa G+ 25 and a 4ks2 25.

[Spaghetti Legs]

This is also a very good excuse to buy another bike.

[oldpotatoe]

Thanks all, realize now that I could have been more clear.

I do have a star washer (what I called a knurled washer) in the fork. Somehow I thought I'd read that stacking them was discouraged, but apparently I'm mistaken.

Better to stack star washers or ok to insert a correct diameter flat washer between the existing star washer and the caliper?

Either..if the brake nut is tight, it won't rotate. Best is a couple of star washers.

[cgolvin]

Either..if the brake nut is tight, it won't rotate. Best is a couple of star washers.

Thanks OP, much appreciated as always.