disc brake lever too much travel, do I have to re bleed?

[R3awak3n]

I bled this brakes in summer, the back one was always worst but was usable. The front is absolutely perfect. I am trying to get the rear to be as good as the front, at least better. The lever is a bit mushy and if I really press it it almost touches the handlebars.

Short of rebleeding, is there anything I can do to get fix it? This is a campy potenza shifter.

[phoenix]

Sometimes you can remove the wheel, and without a block in the caliper pull the lever slightly to help recenter the pads and reduce lever throw. Pull gently while watching how much the pistons push together for the amount of lever pull.

You may need to re-bleed the line, but I would try something along this line as it may produce a favorable outcome. Obviously don't pull too hard at first unless you want to press the Pistons back into the caliper. Hope this helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by phoenix

Sometimes you can remove the wheel, and without a block in the caliper pull the lever slightly to help recenter the pads and reduce lever throw. Pull gently while watching how much the pistons push together for the amount of lever pull.

You may need to re-bleed the line, but I would try something along this line as it may produce a favorable outcome. Obviously don't pull too hard at first unless you want to press the Pistons back into the caliper. Hope this helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did this and did not help, as soon as wheel goes back in it goes back to the same

[AngryScientist]

admittedly, i have never used bicycle disc brakes, but if the lever feels mushy and travel is too far on a moto, (or a car for that matter) - yes, either you have a leak, the brake fluid is contaminated, or there is air in the system.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

admittedly, i have never used bicycle disc brakes, but if the lever feels mushy and travel is too far on a moto, (or a car for that matter) - yes, either you have a leak, the brake fluid is contaminated, or there is air in the system.

yeah, it was the first brake I did so there is probably air. I may just have to rebleed. Its a PITA since I am newb. Admittedly, I did do a great job on the front brake


since this oil is relatively new, when I rebleed can I just keep this oil in there and try to get rid of trapped air or should I put new oil in there?

[Spdntrxi]

youtube the procedure.. depending on whose brake system you are using...it's simple.

I've had to do this numerous times recently... sometimes back..sometimes front.
it happens.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

youtube the procedure.. depending on whose brake system you are using...it's simple.

I've had to do this numerous times recently... sometimes back..sometimes front.
it happens.

I mean that is how I bled the brakes in the first place. Campy has excellent video instructions. I will probably just re do it.

that said, doing the ziptie on the lever overnight thing, see if that works

[peanutgallery]

Make sure the pads still have some meat on them, if I bleed...new pads. They may not have been replaced this summer and have worn since

If they are shimano you can burp them

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by peanutgallery

Make sure the pads still have some meat on them, if I bleed...new pads. They may not have been replaced this summer and have worn since

If they are shimano you can burp them

pads still have a lot of life in them. they are campy but could probably still burp?

[vqdriver]

Rebleed

[Hellgate]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

I mean that is how I bled the brakes in the first place. Campy has excellent video instructions. I will probably just re do it.

that said, doing the ziptie on the lever overnight thing, see if that works

That's my favorite trick for motocycles too. Ironically, I use an old Binda toeclip strap.

Two other tricks that help are to 1) remove the bleed screws a wrap the threads in Teflon tape. This prevents air from get past the threads when the bleed screw is cracked open. 2) After bleeding, gently tap the entire system from the caliper up to the MC with a rubber mallet. This will discuss lodge tiny trapped buddles. 3) Install speed bleeds, they save countless hours, especially with multiple bikes to maintain. Not sure it they're a available for bicycles however.

[oldpotatoe]

I am trying to get the rear to be as good as the front, at least better. The lever is a bit mushy and if I really press it it almost touches the handlebars.
Short of rebleeding, is there anything I can do to get fix it?

Sometimes you can remove the wheel, and without a block in the caliper pull the lever slightly to help recenter the pads and reduce lever throw. Pull gently while watching how much the pistons push together for the amount of lever pull.

Two other tricks that help are to 1) remove the bleed screws a wrap the threads in Teflon tape. This prevents air from get past the threads when the bleed screw is cracked open. 2) After bleeding, gently tap the entire system from the caliper up to the MC with a rubber mallet. This will discuss lodge tiny trapped buddles. 3) Install speed bleeds, they save countless hours, especially with multiple bikes to maintain. Not sure it they're a available for bicycles however.

yes, either you have a leak, the brake fluid is contaminated, or there is air in the system.

I've had to do this numerous times recently... sometimes back..sometimes front.
it happens.

Relax, it's 5 degrees outside........

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Relax, it's 5 degrees outside........

Huh?

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

Huh?

Just waiting for somebody(not you) to slam me for starting an anti-disc brake tangent..kinda like the rapha thread..it's cold, it's dark, I'm grumpy...

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Just waiting for somebody(not you) to slam me for starting an anti-disc brake tangent..kinda like the rapha thread..it's cold, it's dark, I'm grumpy...

but they are campy brakes!

I will be the first to admit, setup on discs is a pain but ridding in the snow last week I really appreciated the discs. I will re-bleed it today and if I can get the back to be like the front, its bliss (seriously, the front brake feels amazing, campy really did a good job with the system)