Bike rear brake pad rubbing

Philip624

My son came off his bike earlier and now one of the rear brake pads is slightly rubbing against the wheel rim when you push the bike along, it seems to be doing it in two different areas of one spin of the wheel and only on one side. The brakes are 'v' brakes. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be? I have tried adjusting the centering screws but this has no effect.

Grateful for advice.

esuhl

I'm not an expert mechanic, but I think V-brakes have a spring near where they attach to the frame. The ends of the spring have to sit behind a notch so that they pull the pads away from the wheel (until the rider pulls the brake lever). Might be worth checking that the ends of the spring haven't pinged out of place.

Otherwise, is the wheel badly buckled?

If you unclip the brake cable, do the sides of the V-brakes spring apart, or are they stuck/overtightened or full of grit?

Just some random ideas... Don't know if any of that helps!

Philip624

Thanks will try this tonight

Norman_Castle

The centering screw should move the arm away from the wheel. Try loosening the opposite side. Its possible the wheel is buckled after the crash. This can probably be straightened with spoke adjustment.

rdr

If it is rubbing in just two places it is probably a buckled wheel. To check lift the bike up, rest your finger on the frame near the brakes with the tip near the rim and turn the wheel. If the distance between the rim and your finger varies by more than a couple of mm your wheel is buckled.
If the variation is more than about a cm the wheel may well be history, if it is less than this the wheel can be trued, either take it to a decent bike shop or diy following this advice http://bicycletutor.com/wheel-truing/

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Your wheel is buckled.