Hi I was wondering if anyone had ever had to use a re seal kit on an avid elixir 3. Iv been having trouble with my breaks loosing pressure quite regular. When they do have enough pressur in to actually stop me then they feel too firm, like they bite too soon. Then if I change pads or force pistons apart for pad clearence I loose all pressure. If this post makes sense to anybody I would greatly appretiate any advice.
Mine lose pressure when I change the pads too, I'd be interested to know if a new seal kit cures it or if they're just rubbish and need bleeding every time.
Odly people I know who use then out in Spain never have problems so I wonder if it's a wet weather thing.
do you mean they're leaking? is fluid coming out somewhere? if you bleed them, is there much air in there?
should not need bleeding every time you change pads, no.
there are seal kits available for the calipers that don't cost much, i've never had to use them though so can't say how hard they are to change. if you're using grease on the caliper (either to prevent squeal or sticky pistons), use only red rubber grease. for the lever, also use something plastic safe like flouropolymer or silicone spray..
my experience is with older Elixirs so maybe soemone else has seen this on the newer 3s.
The solution to all avid elxir problems;
Open bin lid,
Insert Elixirs
Close bin lid
Buy Shimano brakes.
Check for leaks and then bleed them, it will be fine after that
[url= http://www.pinkbike.com/news/tech-tuesday-bleeding-avid-brakes-2010.html ]Brake bleeding[/url]
Thanks for all the replys guys, They are only a year old and I have no noise from the pistons or anything like that. I would b interested to find someone who's used the seal kit. A bike mechanic I spoke to said it would b cheaper to get new brakes rather than get it fixed by him or a LBC
If you mean the seals on the pistons i've put new seal in Juicy 7's and Elixir's before now.
Not for the reasons you describe, I was attempting to cure (the apparently well known 'Avid Sticky Piston' problem). If this is what you're talking about, it's a pretty straightforward job to be honest - I'm not overly mechanically minded... and i'm still alive, having dragged the Elixir's all the way down Skiddaw today... 😉
If you're not too keen on trying to do it yourself have you a mate who 'knows that they're doing' and will do it for beers? If figure you've got nothing to lose in trying - seal kits are not expensive... though you'll need a bleed kit as well...
If they're only a year old, is there a warranty?
Changing seals isn't hard, on any brake, but from your symtoms it's not clear that this will fix your issue. And once you fix them they'll still be Elixirs.
Iv bled the brakes again and the problem seems to have gone but for how long is anyone's guess!! Maybe repeating the bleed prosess a few times is what was needed. I work as an engineer so from the sounds of it, if the problem comes back then im sure I'll b able to sort it from all the good advise revived. I reckon my trip to morzine in July will put them to the test once and for all!!!! Cheers guys
Ps: next time I think I'll go for the hope m4's
I love my Elixir Rs (1st gen, if that makes a difference?)
My understanding is that the 3's are the cheapest they do and are an elixer lever unit and juicy type calliper. I had elixer 5's for years with no probs.
Maybe replace the calipers?