Another brake question - this time BB7

I've rebuilt a bb7 it was dead easy, so easy i can't really remember any details.

watch out for the 3 ball bearings during issasembly though.

Isn't the inner pad fixed? So the outer pad moves in to bend the disc slightly to create clamping power?

nah on a bb7 you can wind in the pad with the red disk mentioned. it doesn't move under braking but it does move.

They can get gummed up with brake dust and dirt - I’ve cracked open 10 year+ old ones and got them working again. Bit of brake cleaner and wire wool to remove the crud, reassemble and good to go.

Yep, just put a 2007 BB7 back on a bike yesterday after 4 years in the spares box. Inboard red pad dial was very stiff - old model, none of your fancypants torx/Allen keys - just got the molgrips on it and it moved easy enough. Sooo much better than the Spyres I'd just had enough of.

If used for commuting and been left covered in salt and grime not uncommon for the fine thread adjuster on either side to corrode - sometimes irremovably.

For best results we would soak in ATF/acetone mix

Then clamp.in the vice and apply heat

Once it's apart clean up inner and outer threads as best possible but if the annodising is gone it'll corrode up quickly again no matter what you do.

Copper slip proactively applied helps longevity.

Thanks guys, I'll strip it down when I get the time and the patience.

Drop of chain lube on the threads.

I took the brake to bits this weekend. I left the inner piston foot in wd40 overnight, had it in a vice with mole grips, in the freezer the next night. It wouldn't budge. I didn't have any acetone though.

The outer side stripped down and went back together no worries. Its back on the bike with new pads, I just haven't got any adjustment on the inner side. I'll see how it feels in a couple of months and consider replacing.