Trouble with brake calipers

hey there, thanks for looking and taking time out to help my situation…

I have some shimano 105 brake calipers and I was puzzled to find that they do not fit my Raleigh forks… the ‘axle’, I think its called is too short and doesn’t go all the way in and out, together with this the bolt/hood/the thing that tightens on the other end is too wide to fit into the forks to reach the axle in the forks....

What are my next steps???

I tried to take it apart and fit in a new axle but it seems to be inseparable

Is this a lost cause??

Thanks : )

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That caliper takes a recessed bolt and you would need to drill the rear of your fork to fit it.

You can find calipers with a regular nut fixing to get around it or you could go at your fork like a mad man.

This has been covered. UTFS

*you might be able to bolt it to the front 'side' of the fork only, going in from the bottom.

going in from the bottom.

Oh er misses.

wow.. thanks hippy! its on, just put in a crank bolt sleeve or whatever its called to fill in the non treaded bit... now question is.. is it safe :S not that i matters :P

You said there would be pics?! That's it.. you're barred!

:P added to the first post

Think about the physics involved in braking, it's not ideal due to the stress you'll be exerting on twisting the front of the fork, but it'll work...

Takes two seconds with a drill and a metal bit too widen the hole on the rear of the fork to take a modern bolt.

i think the drilling it sounds smart but ill have to source one first... but... for the time being... made something that looks rediculous... and not sure it'll work :S

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how the hell is that not hitting the downtube ?

drill holes wide enough is th answer.

I'm having a similar problem Lenan.
Does anyone know if there is a standardized size for the pivot bolt on newer brakes? Or does it vary between Shimano/Campy?
Trying to work out which metal drill bit to get.

actually that would be good info to know before i go drill crazy.!.. thought about going down to my local highschool and just show them what needs to go where..

8mm for Campag and Shimano. A standard issue HSS twist drill bit will do.

*you might be able to bolt it to the front 'side' of the fork only, going in from the bottom.

| would **never **have thort of this.

i think the drilling it sounds smart but ill have to source one first... but... for the time being... made something that looks rediculous... and not sure it'll work :S

no no and no. dont even bother with that setup.
drill it properly,
seriously, £2.00 for a cheap drill bit and 20 secs drilling... piss'a'piss.

im sure the tool you put the drill bit into is more then 2 pounds... ill just use the local school

if youve never drilled metal,or drilled (think what u want here) i reckon you should not do it for fear of breaking your wrist when it jamms which it surely will.

| would **never **have thort of this.

I'm paid to operate at a level beyond mortal humans.

Hey Lenan - so you know, I used an HSS 8mm bit, and clamped the fork to a work bench.
Drilled the fork AND the frame absolutely fine. Catches a little at first, but after that it drills through absolutely fine.
Oh, and like Dylan says, the drill kicks back, so keep the drill tight in against your body.

I have one SRAM Red brake that wobbles from side to side slightly. It's the front brake.

I think it's to do with the the bit that you stick inside the fork from behind, that the brake inserts into and you tighten down with an allen key and spanner. I've had to use the rear brakes bit and swap it over with the front bit, as the front brakes bit was too long and the brake stuck out/wouldn't sit against the fork. So using the smaller sized bit it works, but, it's ever so slightly loose - I've tried tightening it down with the allen key and the wrench - if I go any further with the wrench it'll crack the frame.

I think I need a new bit that you tighten down. The allen key thread bit is wearing down and might be the cause for not being able to tighten it...

I've attached a picture with the bit in question I'm referring to..

I guess I'm asking for an idea on where to get the replacement bit, or how I can secure it better.

Can you please move this to the Mechanics page?

It's a recessed nut. Probably available at your local bike shop, in a variety of lengths - depending on the size of fork crown.

can you grind or file down the original "too long" recessed nut a bit?

Thanks for this. I don't have the tools to grind it down, but will take it into brixton cycles and see what they can do. The workshop and service there is always brilliant.