Need help with disc that won't lock

[TheObieOne3226]

My front brake is a Magura louise disc brake with 6'' rotor. I can't get it to lock. It doesn't even come close. When I'm trackstanding the wheel moves from side to side sometimes.


Anyways, does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing the problem? I recently took out and adjusted the pads. I also cleaned everything with alcohol. But I still can't even get close to a lock. Anyone?

[hydroboy]

Contaminated pads / oily rotor is your most likely option although it may also need a rebleed.

[TheObieOne3226]

I cleaned the rotor and pads so I don't think they are contaminated. I get instant power tranfsfer to the pads, does this mean its not a bleed issue or could I still need a bleed?

[BrettM]

You can clean them all you want, that doesn't mean they aren't contaminated. As long as there is fluid in the brake it should lock. Yours sounds contaminated. The fix is to throw that Magura in the garbage and get an Avid cable.

[Little Android Man]

or newpads and rotors, but avid is nice too

[rocpyro]

this might sound weird, but pour water on it. it doesnt last very long, but i get like 4x the power when i do this. its only temporary, so I'd still recommend you look into new pads, cuz if theres ever been any oil or anything like that on them, it gets impregnated into the material and will never work well again, even w/ cleaning

Brake Pads + just about anything other than water and alcohol = sucky brakes

[bumblechunXX]

I've got the same brakes, they work awesome. Sounds like the pads and/or rotor needs replacing. Try the pads first i guess. How does the lever feel? If its spongy or goes all teh way to the bar you need to bleed it. I dont know why they telling you to get avid, keep the magura, but try replacing those pads. its that time of the month.
jackson

[MikeTheBike]

Take the pads out and heat them on a stove top burner or with a lighter for 15 minutes. While they're heating, remove the rotor and thoroughly clean it with dishwashing liquid - it cuts through oil and grease - and rinse with CLEAN water.. Also while the pads are heating and the rotor is out of the way, it doesn't hurt to give the brake a new bleed. Make sure to fill the master cylinder reservoir until it starts to spill over before putting the cap back on. Pump the lever a few times after the cap is back on but before removing the filler-syringe at the caliper.

Before reassembling, make sure to thoroughly clean your hands and tools with dishwashing liquid to make sure you don't get any fluid on the pads of rotor. Put everything back together and go through the breakin technique a few times - riding around to get the pads and rotor hot then dowsing with CLEAN water.

If this doesn't fix it and you can't find fluid leaking anywhere, you need new pads.

[MegamoMidwest]

dear god thats alot of work. sand your pads and see if that works. also I mean just riding around with your brakes dragging always works for me.

[DangerousDave]

go to an automotive shop and get some actual disc brake cleaner. spray it on your rotor and ride around for 30 seconds

wipe off the excess gunk

pour water on your rotor

ride down a massive hill.

That usually works for me, worked for thomas ohlers magura too.

and as brett said get an avid

[Boo_Berry]

just buy new pads... or get an avid, most of my riding buddies wouldn't trust anything else but an avid mech on the front, and maybe a hope mini; but seriously for the price and performance the avid is totally the best

[sicterallowishus]

if the rotor is new it might need to be broken in
try going down a big hill with the brakes on

clean rotor buy new pads

or just buy avid mech you wont sorry...

[TheObieOne3226]

Cool stuff...I'll try to clean the pads first, then replace them if that doesn't work. If that doesn't work I'll run my extra HS-33 in front until I can get an avid. Thanks.

[stinkybastard]

tried using automotive brake cleaner...that shit sucks. In all cases that Ive used it, it made things worse(if it says automotive, shit aint touchin my bike). In fact every case that Ive tried to clean the pads it got worse. alcohol, etc etc

Replacement was the only solution for me. havent tried this, but it just popped into my head just now.....pressure washer(water)....
I think I just contaminated my pads(goddamn I despise bleeding brakes)....oh well, ill jus get some fibrax pads...good ol fibrax :D
well good luck w/ your pads

[TheObieOne3226]

In fact every case that Ive tried to clean the pads it got worse. alcohol, etc etc



It did seem to get worse. Now I'm gonna try to burn the shit off.

[bmorekirby]

cough "shouldhavebaughtavids" cough

[TheObieOne3226]

Came on the bike...

[Ed Gildea]

sand is your friend, go get some

[TheObieOne3226]

sand is your friend, go get some



I don't follow...if you are talking about sandPAPER, that is what I was thinking about next.


I burned the pads for a while...ghetto style with a lighter. It actually seems to have helped.

[Elan]

you dont "clean" your pads.. sand them down, bake them. get new ones..once they get anything in them they arent good for much

[such]

I had the same problem with my disc brakes - front and rear. They were both hayes though :)
The part that held pads (caliper?) bleeded. The oil got onto the pads and they sucked, plus there was lack of oil in the system(s) and the air came in.
Cleck that part that holds pads for bleeding. if it bleeds - throw it (or sell to someone you hate)
If everything is oke - then folow advices from the posts above
Hope I helped!

[MikeTheBike]

sand is your friend, go get some
I think Ed meant actual sand. I've even used wet sand because it sticks to the rotor. It really helped quite a lot. That is, until I blew the seals on my lever - not that the two were connected in any way, though. It was a very old lever.

[satorie]

if your pads are glazed or dirty take some emery cloth and rub the pads in a circular
motion and then once you have worn them down to a dull black take the emery cloth and rub the rotors in a up and down {from center out} motion to get really good brake lock