Bicycle brake caliper screw

dwhl

Hi all,

Just wanting some quick advice.

I have an islabike and have noticed that the rear brake caliper screw which adjusts the tension is missing.  Do you know what size they are?  I can't find anything relating to this online but it may be an M6 screw?

Have rung islabike but they suggest replacing the whole caliper which seems excessive.
Thanks for your help
David

ThisIsWeird

dwhl said:

Hi all,

Just wanting some quick advice.

I have an islabike and have noticed that the rear brake caliper screw which adjusts the tension is missing.  Do you know what size they are?  I can't find anything relating to this online but it may be an M6 screw?

Have rung islabike but they suggest replacing the whole caliper which seems excessive.
Thanks for your help
Dave

I suspect the actual brakes will be by an independent manufacturer such as Shimano or similar? Have a look, and then ask on a bike forum under that name, adding a photo if possible.
What does this screw do? Ah, does it press against the caliper spring, the one that sets the 'balance' between the two sides?
Any chance of a photie? I have a Ridgeback with ordinary caliper brakes - happy to remove a screw and measure if they are similar.
If they are the 'same', then you'll pick up plenty of 2nd hand parts on t'Bay.

Nearlyold

Do you mean the screw on the brake caliper arm that the brake cable outer end ferrule sits in while the inner cable itself passes through. 

Or is it a disc brake?

dwhl

thanks both

i’ll post a photo tomorrow when I get chance.

it’s the screw in the caliper which increases or reduces tension on the v brakes….

david

ThisIsWeird

Cool - I know the one. Will need the brake's make. But parts are cheap. 

Nearlyold

 "V Brake Spring Tension Adjustment Screw" I think is what you're looking for? Not seen one with an M6 thread though, think they're usually M3 or M4.

ThisIsWeird

As Nearlyold says - that is most likely the beast.

Eg: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/shimano-deore-brm510-spring-tension-adjustment-screw-m3-x-8mm-y8gv05000/

But if you post a photie, dwhl, we can confirm.

droopsnoot

Is it not possible to measure it? Or find someone locally who has a load of screws and can just try a few (gently, so as not to damage the thread) until you drop on the correct size? (Local Facebook community groups are ideal for this kind of thing.) Presuming it's not a weird cycle thread as some used to be, long ago.

Once again, the demise of the friendly local hardware shop takes a toll. We were moaning about this in the pub the other night, a mate is looking for a tab washer to repair a pair of garden shears - plenty available online, but postage is three times the cost of the washer. "Back in the day" etc. etc. 

dwhl

Thanks all

this is the photo of the calliper and the screw. You’re right 8mm…. Likely the M3 then?

thanks
David

Nearlyold

droopsnoot said:

Is it not possible to measure it? Or find someone locally who has a load of screws and can just try a few (gently, so as not to damage the thread) until you drop on the correct size? (Local Facebook community groups are ideal for this kind of thing.) Presuming it's not a weird cycle thread as some used to be, long ago.

Once again, the demise of the friendly local hardware shop takes a toll. We were moaning about this in the pub the other night, a mate is looking for a tab washer to repair a pair of garden shears - plenty available online, but postage is three times the cost of the washer. "Back in the day" etc. etc. 

Our small town still has a brilliant hardware store selling virtually everything you could reasonably want with a large wood rack of loose screws arranged by size, material, head type and thread you can just pick the ones you want, take em to the counter where they'll count them and take payment and you even get a free paper bag to take them home in. They also have a separate branch on the local industrial estate which is more of  a builders merchant.

ThisIsWeird

dwhl said:

Thanks all

this is the photo of the calliper and the screw. You’re right 8mm…. Likely the M3 then?

thanks
David

Almost certainly, yes. As linked to above.
Check your local Fb Marketplace - good chance there's old bikes on there being given away; it saves them the trip to the recycling centre. 
Strip it off such useful items, and dump.