How to Fix Brakes on a Bike

1
How to Fix Brakes on a Bike
2
Check The Brake Pads
The first thing you will need to know is if the
brake pads are too worn to work effectively.
There should be at least 1/4 inch of rubber
between the clamp and the tire when the caliper
is engaged to brake the bike.
3
Check the cables 
Squeeze the brake handles and make sure the cable
moves. If it does not, your cable may be stuck in
the cable housing, or the clamp in the handle may
be loose.
4
Make sure the caliper moves
If the cable at the brake handle moves, but the
end at the caliper does not, the cable may be
broken inside the cable housing, and the whole
cable assembly will have to be replaced.
5
Watch the caliper to make sure both sides
You may need to loosen the bolts that hold the
caliper on the bike, and work it in and out to
free up the mechanism. Some good light machine
oil will help keep these moving parts lubricated.
6
Purchase new brake pads
If you have the make and model of your bike, a
Bicycle Shop can probably supply you with the
correct brake pads for your bike. 
7
Remove the nut and washers 
If the caliper must be removed to allow space to
work on it, remove the nut at the top center of
the caliper, slide the assembly out, and replace
the nut on the stud without allowing the assembly
to come apart.
8
Install the new pads
To prevent the pads from squeaking, toe the pads
in slightly, so that the trailing edge contacts
the wheel first. Make sure the pad height is near
the center of the metal rim of you wheel.
9
Lubricate the caliper pivot
10
Check the adjustment of your brake cables
When the brakes are not applied, they should be
about 1/4 inch from the wheel rim, and when the
lever is squeezed, they should make full contact
at about half the distance the lever will travel.
11
Lubricate the cables
 You may use a lubricant in an aerosol can with a
tube to spray oil into the cable housing at the
Ferrell where the cable enters the housing
underneath the brake levers.
12
Remove the cable from its casing
This is done by removing the clamp at either the
caliper or brake lever, and pulling it out the
opposite end.
13
Thread the loose end of the cable through the
clamp at the end you removed previously
14
Replace either the cable, or the complete cable
assembly if the steps above did not solve the
problem of the cable not moving when the brakes
are applied.
15
Check the cable clamps on the underside of your
brake levers to be sure they are secure
16
Lubricate the "pivot" pin on the lever handle
17
Make sure the calipers are centered over the wheel
18
Make sure the springs are equally tensioned on
each caliper arm
When you squeeze the brake handle, each side of
the caliper should advance toward the wheel the
same. If one side has more movement than the
other, you will need to ascertain the arms are
moving freely and well lubricated. 
19
Rotate the pedals backward on your bike if it is
equipped with coaster brakes.
20
Check the brake arm
21
Thank You For Your Time
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manufacturer, exporter supplier of a variety of
bicycles, components and accessories, suitable to
both conventional contemporary bicycles,
established in 1982. Eastman Industries Limited
has stood for innovation, quality, performance
and outstanding service for more than 30 years.
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