I've always complained about lack of adjustment on my brakes. Last weekend they stopped working completely, and I haven't found anyone to have a look at it. So earlier I decided to do it myself. I was a bit scared as I've never really taken any bike apart before, but thought I might as well as the bike is unrideable now.
I started with the front wheel first as its easier to access. I got it off with little difficulty. Then I tried taking the brake shoes out of the hub, it eventually came off the wheel with a gentle tap from a hammer.
I thought it would look much worse in there, but it didn't. There wasn't any sign of corrosion, and not much dust. Surprisingly the pads didn't look worn at all. I operated it by hand and that's when I noticed that one of the shoes had a crack, and it was in nearly two pieces!
I measured it with a tape and caliper and tried to find a replacement. I've ordered one but I'm not 100% certain it will fit. There is about 1-2mm difference. I measured the diameter as 77-78mm, but I measured across the shoes. When I measured in the wheel hub it was 80mm. The width of the pads I took out were 19mm.
The only two candidates I could find to replace it with were 79.33mm x 17mm, and the one I ordered, which is 80mm x 18mm. The others are much larger.
If this is a success then I might attempt the rear brake.
I started with the front wheel first as its easier to access. I got it off with little difficulty. Then I tried taking the brake shoes out of the hub, it eventually came off the wheel with a gentle tap from a hammer.
I thought it would look much worse in there, but it didn't. There wasn't any sign of corrosion, and not much dust. Surprisingly the pads didn't look worn at all. I operated it by hand and that's when I noticed that one of the shoes had a crack, and it was in nearly two pieces!
I measured it with a tape and caliper and tried to find a replacement. I've ordered one but I'm not 100% certain it will fit. There is about 1-2mm difference. I measured the diameter as 77-78mm, but I measured across the shoes. When I measured in the wheel hub it was 80mm. The width of the pads I took out were 19mm.
The only two candidates I could find to replace it with were 79.33mm x 17mm, and the one I ordered, which is 80mm x 18mm. The others are much larger.
If this is a success then I might attempt the rear brake.
