brake pad centering adjustments

I would replace them with a new V-brake, Deore is cheap at the moment.

The problem is that almost all v-brakes these days suck. Unless you buy the top of the line. This means, that after time, the springs that pull the two arms out, wear out. And then playing with the adjustments won't do anything.

Some things you could try:

FIrst back out both screws, and then play from there. Sometimes only one screw in one side is all you need.

Maybe get new brakes?

Take the brakes apart, and clean them it.

Or take them off, and put the spring preload thingy into different slots. There are a total of three slots, and they adjust the spring's force, by preloading it different amounts.

free_rideman said:

The problem is that almost all v-brakes these days suck. Unless you buy the top of the line. This means, that after time, the springs that pull the two arms out, wear out. And then playing with the adjustments won't do anything.

Some things you could try:

FIrst back out both screws, and then play from there. Sometimes only one screw in one side is all you need.

Maybe get new brakes?

Take the brakes apart, and clean them it.

Or take them off, and put the spring preload thingy into different slots. There are a total of three slots, and they adjust the spring's force, by preloading it different amounts.

To add to this good advice, also check the effective length of the brake shoe posts. On newer cantilever brakes like Avid Shorty models, this might mean swapping around some washers, but make sure not to get them mixed up or turned around. See p. 2 under "pad alignment":

sram.comshorty 4 install.pdfOpen ↗

For great, general info on adjusting cantilever brakes, see the Park Tool site:

parktool.comreadhowto.aspOpen ↗

Sheldon Brown also has a good guide:

sheldonbrown.comcantilever adjustment.htmlOpen ↗

While you're working on them, check the pads and scrape out any bits of metal or rock that might've gotten embedded in them. Your rims will thank you. Check for any uneven wear, too.

Good luck, and tell us how it goes.

rudycyclist said:

I am working with a mountain bike style brakes, cantilever pull, I believe they're called. One pad sticks to the rim of my wheel. I know it's a matter of playing around with the centering pin/screw. I thought I found the screws but they really don't do anything. There were 2 screws, one near the left pad and one near the right pad. Are these the centering screws or something else? What do I need to do? Thanks for the answer to this seemingly simple question.

Yes those are the centering screws. Screwing them inward loads the helical springs pulling the lever outward. When one lever is nearer or touches the rim first before the other, the technique is to put a little load to the centering screw and/or slacken the centering screw of the opposite lever. Do minute adjustements at a time and you'll soon get the ideal set up.