front-left caliper alignment - .: XT660.com

ram · # 1 02-06-15, 13:38

hello,
my bike front-left disk brake is very close to the edge of the caliper (see image)
how can i align it to the center of the caliper ?
the right-front side caliper is in the center, the problem is only the front-left one.
the brake function is good and the pads are new.
its a tenere 660 2008

thank you.

Buccari · # 2 02-06-15, 17:08

Hi ram,
Have had the same scenario when I was replacing pads.

Now, the manual states something like 'tap the side of the right fork leg to position the disc correctly...'

I actually gently pressed the side of the fork (at its bottom part) with one hand, while tightening the axle with other. All fitted in place and calipers centered.

Cheers

Pleiades · # 3 02-06-15, 17:15

Could be that the sliding pins are corroded, sticky of seized? If it's not sliding properly the pad on the piston side will do all the work and the other pad (and sliding part of the caliper) won't pull across fully in the opposite direction. This can result in asymmetric alignment as in your photo.

Desert Racer · # 4 02-06-15, 18:15

I found that loosening the pinch bolts on the axle, then pulling in the brake lever, re-tightening the pinch bolts while still holding the brake lever on centered the calipers so long as the pins & pistons are working as they should.

fridolin · # 5 02-06-15, 20:18

I go with Pleiades. I had the same issue with my rear calliper. Check the sliding pins.

Buccari · # 6 02-06-15, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccari

... while tightening the axle with other...

Just to correct myself - tightening the axle pinch bolts....(sorry)

And as Pleiades mentioned, sliding pins would definitely be worth checking..

ram · # 7 04-06-15, 16:34

the problem is only the LEFT SIDE fork leg, not the right side, if i loosen the pinch bolts i can align only the right side fork leg, but i cant do the same on the left leg,

I think sliding pins are ok (see video)

am i missing something?

Pleiades · # 8 04-06-15, 20:10

Caliper sliders look to be performing well, so it isn�t them. You�ve loosened the pinch bolts and compressed the forks a few times before retightening them. So all the usual stuff has been covered.

Just a thought, but is the front wheel (and/or spacers) fitted they right way round? It might not look it, but the front wheel is asymmetric about its centre line.

I�ve very nearly on a few occasions fitted a front tyre in the wrong direction because of this. I�ve now drawn arrows in marker pen on the disc carriers and a painted a red spot on the LH spacer so I don�t have the same trouble in the future.

keithy2 · # 9 04-06-15, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pleiades

Caliper sliders look to be performing well, so it isn’t them. You’ve loosened the pinch bolts and compressed the forks a few times before retightening them. So all the usual stuff has been covered.

Just a thought, but is the front wheel (and/or spacers) fitted they right way round? It might not look it, but the front wheel is asymmetric about its centre line.

I’ve very nearly on a few occasions fitted a front tyre in the wrong direction because of this. I’ve now drawn arrows in marker pen on the disc carriers and a painted a red spot on the LH spacer so I don’t have the same trouble in the future.

Hi I have just checked mine and the brake pad carrier is very close to the inside edge of the disc on the right hand side of the bike when sat on it. I was very careful not to put the wheel on the wrong way round when i changed tyres. To double check the wheel spacer on the RH side when sat on the bike is longer than the one on the LH side Correct? ie the gap between the hub and the fork leg is greater on this side?

ram · # 10 08-06-15, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepsi

I'm guessing your left fork leg has a 'turn' in it. so the disc runs close to the edge of your calliper either where the disc enters the calliper or where it leaves, or probably both but at opposite sides of the calliper's disc groove.

In other words the disc is not running perfectly parallel to the sides of the calliper due to a twist in the fork leg.

As mentioned; the best way to solve this is to raise the front wheel off the ground having undone the two pinch bolts that clamp the axle and also having backed off a couple of turns the axle's torque to make it loose-ish

Squeeze and release the front brake lever a few times and then keep it on ( Zip ties) whilst you re-tighten the axle nut and then pinch bolts. Whilst the wheel is off the ground give it a spin to make sure it runs clearly. The fork legs should have turned to face the correct alignment due to the callipers being applied to the wheels' discs.

Hope this works for you.

Done, both sides are aligned now , thank you all for the detailed solutions..

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