08 Xt Brakes

M

met'lwrks

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36 Posts

Discussion starter · #1 · Feb 7, 2008

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I have the 08 XT brakes with the BL-M775 levers and have yet to figure out how the
“free-stroke adjust screw” works. I’ve been looking over the tech. doc’s. that came with
the levers and it reads, “when the free stroke adjustment screw is loosened, the free
stroke of the brake will increase, so that you can adjust it to the desired setting”.

Ok, so I loosened the screw, now what ? I’ve tried loosening the screw and pulling the
brake lever in a tad then re-tighting it and nothing changes. Are you supposed to loosen
the screw a little at a time to get the desired effect and never really re-tighten it ?

The brakes work great, and I probably don’t even need to mess with free-stroke screw,
but it would be nice to solve this little riddle. So if anyone could help that would be great.

 

crisillo

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#2 · Feb 7, 2008

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the amount of lever travel you use before the brakes engage, the free lever stroke, is what is affected by the "free stroke" screw

you don't need to re tighten the screw (if you the lever travel will be at the minimum point possible with that bleed/pads/etc)

 

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Bikewanker

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16 Posts

#3 · Feb 8, 2008

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You’re not crazy. You can quit screwing around with that screw – it just don’t work. From all the way in, backing it out a revolution or two will give you a minimal, minimal amt of added lever stroke. Hardly discernible. But, with your brakes bled properly you should be able to use the reach adjust to get yourself dialed in. once they’re adjusted and balanced and the pads are bedded in (one or two metallic pads help power considerably) I swapped the levers inboard of my shifters and I’ve been riding with them set up for one-finger braking. Good stuff. Confusing non-adjustment. The brakes are still bomber. Servo Wave is the hero of the brake, “free stroke” the redheaded stepchild.

 

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met'lwrks

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Discussion starter · #4 · Feb 8, 2008

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Thanks, "crisillo" and "Bikewanker" for the great info.

I'll probably never mess with the screw, but now I have a better
understanding how to use it.

 

crisillo

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#5 · Feb 8, 2008

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No prob, MTLWRKS! :thumbsup: