Hi all
Having just run my old pads down to the metal, I went to replace the pads in my Formula Oros with some shiny new superstar ones.
...but they don't fit in. The pistons won't go back far enough to allow the rotor to pass between them. The pistons naturally spring back about 0.5mm, and combined with the thickness of pad and backing plate mean there is barely a gap between the two pads.
Is this just me? Am I doing something daft with my brakes? Are superstar pads extra thick?
Yours in confusion (and brakelessness)
Bob
I just push the pistons apart with a plastic tyre lever and then insert the pads.
Nope your not on your own, not quite sure why it happens it does sometimes with avid's too, almost like the system has to much fluid in it...
may also be because the aftermarket pads are perhaps slightly thicker...
I've had this with my K24s and the Goodridge pads. when you hold them side by side with a Formula original, the Goodridge ones have more material on them.
exactly the same problem with K18s. I have tried all the usual tricks to prise them apart including huge flat motorbike tyre levers with no success. I have had to open the bleed nipple a nads to let a little fluid out and that usually works. However I have been very unimpressed with the Formulas reliability. Great brake when its working but too many niggles in the 9 months I have used them. Last month on a long ride in the Cheviots the back brake siezed completely. I had to resort to removing the whole thing and riding down some big hills with front brake only. As soon as I have some spare cash I am replacing them with something a little less finnickey and easier to bleed.
as FOG said just undo the bleed nipple slightly as your pushing the pistons back will sort it as the formuls pads must be guite thin . As for sticky pistons push the pistons out but not all the way then pour some brake fluid on them to lube the O rings leave them for a bit to soak , push them back in clean then RIDE .
Cheers all. Think I'll need to splash out on some proper Formula pads, and fiddle with the bleed nipple as suggested.
Good brakes when they work but this is just a bit silly... grr.