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Yesterday I received my disc brakes from CRC. A set of Avid Elixir 3.
I think there may be a problem with the pistons or pads?? There is very little room between the pads on the rear calliper. The wheel side pad/piston doesn't seem to fully open and I cannot get the calliper aligned so the pads dont rub on the rotor(even with he Avid CPS system).
Earlier when I was installing the brakes and went to remove the rear pad block/spacer, it wouldn't come out easy. Was jammed. I had to pull hard to remove it. The lever was still in bubble wrap and had NOT been pulled.
Does it sound like a problem with the wheel side piston? Can they be realigned? Do I need to bleed the brakes to realign?
I have contacted CRC but thought someone on the forum might offer advice faster.
Thanks.
Did you push the pistons back in?
Just because you've not pulled the lever doesn't mean someone else hasn't.
Yeah, i tried to push them back in/out. But it wouldnt open any further.
Do I need to release the fluid pressure to realign the pistons? I think with some shimano brakes you need to open the reservoir (I assume to release some pressure). But the Elixir's dont have a reservoir coz they use the 'taper bore technology'??
I also tried pumping the brakes a dozen times (with the rotor installed). I thought that was supposed to self align pistons??
Send them back.
If they had a reservoir you could remove some quite easily. But as they're new and don't have a reservoir, just get them exchanged.
Failing that hopefully an Avid expert will be along soon.
Managed to track down some answers in this Avid setup guide. Page 2.
They do have a reservoir,but it's not a huge one, accessible via the TX10 screw just above the hose fitting(maybe under a rubber shroud).Loosen the screw. push the pads back, then nip it back up and there should be plenty of room for the rotor.As an aside, I always get the caliper pistons moving past their normal position, then fully retract them, and then perform a thorough bleed on every set of new Avids as they come with sticky pistons/sh*te bleed out of the factory. The difference in feel and performance is immense, and you'll be less likely to have them go t*ts up mid ride.Caliper alignment is also crucial to them working properly/being trouble free.
When you say " I always get the caliper pistons moving past their normal position"
do you mean that you pull the lever without having a rotor between the pads? So they close past their normal position? Possibly but a single business card between the pads? Will I be able to open them again?
Welcome to Avid brakes and the start of your 'experience', now just imagine what they'll be like after a couple of years...
Re. extending past their normal position, I usually take one pad out, slide a screwdriver in the gap to brace the rotor against the other pad, then squeeze the lever to move the piston out about 3-4mm, push it back, and repeat on the other side.Don't push them too far, many people on here have witnessed the mess it makes 🙂