side-pull brakes off center

David E. Thomascall said:

One brake on my rear side-pull brakes is closer to the rim than the other. I can center them but
as soon as I use the brakes they go out of line again. How can I center them to make them stay?

Clean the return spring contacts and grease them:

draco.acs.uci.edu8f.15.htmlOpen ↗

Jobst Brandt [email hidden] Palo Alto CA

"David E. Thomascall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One brake on my rear side-pull brakes is closer to the rim than the other. I can center them but
as soon as I use the brakes they go out of line again. How can I center them to make them stay?

1. Make sure your wheel is centered relative to the lock nuts or your next steps will be in vain.
2. Make sure your wheel is properly installed in the rear drop-outs.
3. Make sure your frame is properly aligned.
4. Once all the above are checked OK, there should be an adjustment that makes up for the
differences in return spring tensions. You will need to find the adjustment and use it.

David Ornee, Western Springs, IL

"David Ornee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"David E. Thomascall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One brake on my rear side-pull brakes is closer to the rim than the other. I can center them but
as soon as I use the brakes they go out

Quoted message said:

4. Once all the above are checked OK, there should be an adjustment that makes up for the
differences in return spring tensions. You will need to find the adjustment and use it.

David Ornee, Western Springs, IL

This assumes he has newer dual pivots. For older single pivots, use a cone wrench on the larger of
the two nuts on the outside of the brake while at the same time using one on the nut on the brake
mounting bolt. This moves the entire brake unit without tightening the brake arms against each
other. A heavy handed method (makes good mechanics unhappy) is to use a drift punch and hammer to
lightly tap the spring on the side where the pad is farthest from the rim.