[Alandrex]

I was doing some work and cleaning on my bike and i had to remove my front tire. No problem. But while i was cleaning/tuning, I bumped my brake lever and my hydraulic brakes locked down in the front where the tire was removed. The pads are pressed together tight and i cant get my tire back on. Sorry if this is n00bish but ive never had to deal with hydraulic brakes. How do i get them to release?

 

[nintense]

Use flat screw driver to ...

I was doing some work and cleaning on my bike and i had to remove my front tire. No problem. But while i was cleaning/tuning, I bumped my brake lever and my hydraulic brakes locked down in the front where the tire was removed. The pads are pressed together tight and i cant get my tire back on. Sorry if this is n00bish but ive never had to deal with hydraulic brakes. How do i get them to release?

separate them

 

[Kenny C.]

Use a flat head screwdriver and separate them. Try to get a spacer for your brakes when you take off the tires. Your LBS should have brand specific spacers.

 

[fred.r]

What he said. Just use a small flat head and be carefull not to break off any of the pad materal. Or remove your pads if you can, and use the same screwdriver to push the pistons back in place, just be careful.

 

[Alandrex]

Thanks guys im gonna go try that

 

[Kenny C.]

It might take a bit of trial and error to get them to where they clamp at full strength. The tendency is to separate the pads too much.

 

[dhtahoe]

Take out the pads. Grab a 10mm box end wrench and push each piston out until it stops(Put the box end on the post that holds the pads, but be very careful). Go back and forth between the two pistons until they stop. Now replace the pads and gently reset them by pulling the lever with the wheel in the fork. Now any time you feel the need to pull the front wheel place a piece of cardboard in between the pads so if you pull the lever you don't have to do this again.

 

[Alandrex]

Well that worked to get the tire back on... but now the lever is very lax.

 

[Alandrex]

Should i remove my tire and tap the brake. Just trial and error stuff?

 

[mtb_biker]

put the wheel on the bike. Squeeze the lever a few times.

 

[Alandrex]

Thanks so much. It works sweet now.

 

[Guest]

Only use a screw driver if the pads wont come out (too close together) Use needle nose pliers on the tabs if you cant pull hard enough with your fingers (but be careful)
I prefer a 12mm wrench...using box end

Make sure the pistons are not on an angle when you push them in, mine sometimes do this... and can f*ck up pad wear, and reduce braking power/ feel... sometimes takes several minutes to get them the way I want... but all in all relatively easy job...

Good luck with your brakes

 

[XSL_WiLL]

It might take a bit of trial and error to get them to where they clamp at full strength. The tendency is to separate the pads too much.

Doesn't matter, it's self adjusting. It'll pump up.

 

[Kenny C.]

Doesn't matter, it's self adjusting. It'll pump up.

Really? Dang, I wish I would have known that when I first got hydraulics.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

Take out the pads. Grab a 10mm box end wrench and push each piston out until it stops(Put the box end on the post that holds the pads, but be very careful). Go back and forth between the two pistons until they stop. Now replace the pads and gently reset them by pulling the lever with the wheel in the fork. Now any time you feel the need to pull the front wheel place a piece of cardboard in between the pads so if you pull the lever you don't have to do this again.

this is the best and right way to do it