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Magnets in caliper pistons?

2505 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by slimat99, Feb 9, 2022

Impetus

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2022 (Edited)

I almost posted this in the Hayes Dominion thread, because those are my brakes, but it's not a Dominion-specific issue, so I'll ask at large-
Has anyone ever tried to affix a small rare-earth magnet into the little wells in caliper pistons to secure the pads?

I think Magura uses magnets to hold the pads in, right?

My Hayes Dom A4 brakes are using stock pads (with the stock spreader spring), and seem to have developed a rattle, but only on since being mounted on the "new" bike I bought last month. They were quiet for literally 3 months on my previous bike.
The current semi-metallic pads are not severly worn. Maybe 30% gone/70% left, when comparing them to the metallic ones that also came in the Hayes box.
After driving myself to the brink of insanity chasing what I thought was loose bolt rattles on my Ripmo AF, bottle cages, cable insulation, drivetrain wear....on a whim I swapped in my singlespeed wheel and removed the brake pads...voila, the noise was gone. put in the proper "geared" wheel with no pads, still no noise... spread the spring wide for more tension, and it's MUCH better but not totally gone.
So....has anyone tried it? the pad backing is steel, so it should work if I can source magnets that are small enough in both diameter and thickness, yes?

Yes, I get it, it's a harmless noise, but I've gotten very spoiled over the years riding a singlespeed primarily. If it's not the sound of wheels on dirt, I don't want to hear it.

EDIT: I'd be satisfied with a "better" spreader spring, if anyone has found a brand of pad for the A4's that has a burlier one. Compared to the one on previous brakes I've owned (Shimano, TRP, Magura) this one is rather anemic looking.

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127.0.0.1

· #2 · Feb 8, 2022

magura uses magnets

if you can make one fit it should work

but will your adhesive hold up to the heat.
and
will your magnet's magnetic field hold up to the heat, or will it randomize

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11053

· #3 · Feb 8, 2022

simple fix employs mastic tape.

Tech Tip of the Week: Quieting Shimano Brake Pad Rattle | BLISTER

Shimano brakes are super popular, but their rattly brake pads can be annoying. Learn how to quiet them here.

blisterreview.com

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Impetus

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 8, 2022

127.0.0.1 said:
magura uses magnets

if you can make one fit it should work

but will your adhesive hold up to the heat.
and
will your magnet's magnetic field hold up to the heat, or will it randomize

I figured a dab of RTV silicone should hold it. I agree the polarity might be an issue. I'm super curious how Magura accomplishes it.
There's SO MUCH to love about Magura brakes...I'm deeply frustrated that they insist on using fragile plastic bodies for the master cylinder and bar clamp.

11053 said:
simple fix employs mastic tape.

Tech Tip of the Week: Quieting Shimano Brake Pad Rattle | BLISTER

Shimano brakes are super popular, but their rattly brake pads can be annoying. Learn how to quiet them here.

blisterreview.com

.

That would be amazing if Hayes had finned pads.

. The Hayes pads rattle the backing plate against the pistons

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LVLBTY

· #5 · Feb 8, 2022

Adding all that weight cough cough will slow you down. Worse yet, it's un-sprung weight too. All the more your suspension has to work with. But I digress......

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slimat99

· #6 · Feb 8, 2022

Once you use magura's design you'll wonder why it's not a standard feature on all brakes. Maybe they hold a patent?

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11053

· #7 · Feb 8, 2022

the tape trick can work for several other pads too-doesn't need to be finned shimanos. just place the tape where it is needed for your pad/caliper combo. may need to get creative with thickness depending on how much piston extension you have

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Impetus

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 8, 2022

slimat99 said:
Once you use magura's design you'll wonder why it's not a standard feature on all brakes. Maybe they hold a patent?

Sidebar'ing my own thread:
My absolute dream brake is an all alloy 4-pot Magura brake with DOT 5.1 and the re-usable Hope fittings.
My disdain for their 'carbotecture' master cylinder and clamp is a hill I'll die on. Plastic has no place on a real MTB brake.

I love the feel/modulation of Magura brakes, I like the lever shape, and the 'neat tricks' like magnetic pistons. the bleed procedure is good (but not as good as Hayes). ....but, plastic... can't do it.

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TTTURNER

· #9 · Feb 8, 2022

I really dislike pad rattle. Most of the rattles with pads that use springs can be fixed by gently spreading the spring in the middle.Don't spread the outside arms. Yes, tapes, rubber coatings, and magnets work for the other rattles.

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Danzzz88

· #10 · Feb 8, 2022

Why don't you just go Shigura...that's what I'm running. Incredible brakes...more powerful than Trickstuff Direttissima though perhaps not more than Maxima but more than you will ever need put it that way.

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Impetus

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 8, 2022 (Edited)

Danzzz88 said:
Why don't you just go Shigura...that's what I'm running. Incredible brakes...more powerful than Trickstuff Direttissima though perhaps not more than Maxima but more than you will ever need put it that way.

I had SLX/MT6 shigura brakes for a long time on my singlespeed. They got that way after I broke a 3rd Magura master when the wind blew bike over. I tried SLX 7100s and just....don't like Shimano brake feel, so I did the frankenbrake as a last resort. I dislike Shimano levers; and I didn't feel like Shigura had the modulation of good Magura brakes.
I don't go Shigura because, mainly, I don't own Magura calipers or Shimano Levers.

EDIT:
I'm actually really happy with my Dominion A4s, I wish they had the neet-o magnetic pistons (and top loading pads....grrr)

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knl2stl

· #12 · Feb 9, 2022

slimat99 said:
Once you use magura's design you'll wonder why it's not a standard feature on all brakes. Maybe they hold a patent?

Just like my Marta SLs, my Hayes cx and my cheap Tektro Novela use magnets. While the Magura employ a retention bolt as well, the last two rely completely on magnets.

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REZEN

· #13 · Feb 9, 2022

Impetus said:
There's SO MUCH to love about Magura brakes...I'm deeply frustrated that they insist on using fragile plastic bodies for the master cylinder and bar clamp.

Ah, but Magura's main business stems from their Carbotecture....they wanted to show off their capabilities.

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slimat99

· #14 · Feb 9, 2022

I haven't had any durability issues with magura plastic, but I have had a few leaky levers. Not sure if plastic had anything to do with that? I suspect I've been overfilling via mini bleeds when my pads are worn then not releasing a little oil when new pads are installed. I'm hopping that's the issue. Iv'e crashed a few times with no broken levers. I appreciate the weight savings, and have even come to like the flex which at first I hatted. I'm sure plastic levers help them keep the price low. Brakes like the MT30 are easily the best deal on the market. Once you change the pads to metal or a better organic compound, they perform on par with the best brakes on the market for under 100 a side. Sure the lever looks like a kids toy, but it performs.

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