Anyone know anything about disc brakes?

Don't get me wrong, although this one has proven to be a pain in the arse (or ears), the braking is still fucking good and is why I'm persevering.

Thanks Ed. Much appreciated.

What do I need to do? Hose it down with GT85 and hit with hammer?

take out brake pads, squeeze lever carefully to bring out the piston a bit, then dose it with mineral oil (using an earbuds helped) around the piston, use a flat headed screwdriver to hold on the piston so the other can come out more.

repeat on both piston, when finish, push piston back in, then clean it as much as you can with Isopropyl alcohol.

Similar video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaa8whSORlk

Remove pads and push the piston out GENTLY, cos you don't wanna pop them. Then clean the outer of the piston with rubbing alcohol. Push the piston back, then out and clean again. You should see improvements after the first couple of times.

rubbing alcohol

I've only got single malt, will that do?

That'd be roughly 50% water.

I'll stick to drinking it then.

Checked - took wheel out and flipped it - both pistons appear to move fine. Refitted wheel and recentered pads. Brakes are still 'on' so the front wheel drags a bit. Maybe it's actually sticking more on the way back and not seating properly?

You don't rate HY/RD?

Do as Ed says (not often you read that on here). It sounds like you've got a sticky piston, which usually means the brake works fine, but it the pad doesn't retract properly when released. A quick clean and lube of the piston will normally rectify it.

@hippy

When i had this problem, i washed off the crap from the calliper with isopropyl alcohol, then got one piston gently out and washed it down with more alcohol, then lubed the sides with mineral oil and let it retract back in. Repeated for the other piston and then washed it all down with alcohol with the pistons back in their retracted position.

I had thought my caliper was fucked and had even ordered a replacement but the above routine solved the problems.

then washed it all down with alcohol

This is @hippy 's normal approach to a problem.

my account of this problem 2 years ago https://www.lfgss.com/comments/12490769/

(i had sticky pistons before it was cool etc etc)

I drank the whisky. No idea how the brakes are now so I'm happy.

Where can I get ISO alc from - chemists sell it in Oz - same here? Mineral oil?

I think my 'hose it down with GT85' is more likely to happen now until the pads wear down a bit.

Not sure how the mineral-oriented seals would react (or not) to GT85.

Never used them

Nah fam, keep gt85 away from them, chemists might have some IPA, or order a bunch online for cheap.

maplin for isopropyl alc

mineral oil from a bike shop

Heard of eBay?

i feel sullied by trying to help, who can i call a cunt?

it's ok, i found an excuse to abuse @amey

Ah, cool, was going to Maplin for some glue for the phone. Is there anything bikes don't wreck?

I thought Prince had died? Has he changed his name again?!