How to Adjust Shimano Ceramic Brake Pads

Shimano ceramic brake pads are widely known for their ease of installation and adjustment, and for their incredible stopping power and ill-weather effectiveness. But their effectiveness is greatly reduced when maladjusted; therefore, your Shimano ceramic brake pads should be routinely adjusted and maintained.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bicycle
• Shimano ceramic brake pads
• 4mm hex key
• Adjustable wrench

1. Inspect your Shimano ceramic brake pads for unnecessary wear. If the metal "wear line" can be seen through the pad, replace them before adjusting your brakes.

2. Squeeze the brake lever and watch the brake pads closely. If one brake pad makes contact before the other, the brake will need to be centered.

3. Loosen the brake mounting bolt behind the fork with a 4mm hex key. Squeeze the brake lever firmly and tighten the brake mounting bolt to center the brake.

4. Loosen the brake pad bolts, using a 4mm hex key. Center each pad by hand by squeezing the brake lever and aligning the brake pad with the rim's braking surface. Tighten the brake pad bolts firmly to avoid slippage under braking.

5. "Twist" the brake if the front or rear of a brake pad makes contact with the rim before the other. Set an adjustable wrench to make full contact with the brake near where the brake pads attach. Lightly twist the brake toward or away from the rim to properly align the brake pads with the rim's brake surface.

References

• The Big Blue Book Of Bicycle Repair

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!