How to Fix a Rubbing Break Pad on a Mountain Bike

For your mountain bike to work right, your brakes have to be correctly adjusted. A rubbing brake pad will rob energy and slow down your bike with every rotation of the wheel. A brake pad that is too loose, on the other hand, won't be able to stop your bike.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Hex wrench
Hex wrench

Step 1

Spin the wheel and look at the brake pads. Notice if just one pad is rubbing or both are rubbing.

Step 2

If only one pad is rubbing, try yanking that pad away from the rim. Spin the wheel again and watch to see if the pad rubs against it. If it doesn't, give the brakes a quick squeeze and spin the wheel again. If your pad still isn't rubbing, your problem is fixed. If the pad starts rubbing again, continue to Step 3.

Step 3

Loosen the bolt that attaches the brake caliper to the frame of the bike with a 5mm hex wrench. Center the pads so that both are sitting close to the rim, but neither is rubbing against it.

Step 4

Tighten the bolt again. Spin the wheel and watch to make sure that the pads aren't rubbing. Then, squeeze the brakes to make sure they grip and stop the wheel. If your brakes are too loose, loosen the bolt again and adjust them.

Article Written By Isaiah David

Isaiah David is a freelance writer and musician living in Portland, Ore. He has over five years experience as a professional writer and has been published on various online outlets. He holds a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan.

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