wooden front brakes 87 k75

[48882]

I recently had a low speed fall to the right side. The brake lever took a beating, but I was able to straighten it with the help of a friend.

However, now the front brake response is 'wooden' as in the there doesn't seem to be any
bite in the brake pads. The bike stops, but it seems like its a longer stopping distance. Could my fall have damaged the brake pads in some way?

 

[PGlaves]

More likely it damaged the master cylinder assembly in some way. Step one for me would be a new unbent/rebent lever.

 

[pauls1150]

WAG: the fall damaged the piston inside the master cylinder.
Also examine the brake lines; the "hard" lines might've gotten a kink.

 

[48882]

The lever has been 'unbent' and look approximately as good as new, and the brake lines look to be in the right place.

So I guess that means examine the master cylinder, which I'll put next on my list of 'to do'

thanks!

 

[pauls1150]

Also examine the pivot pin, and the interface between the lever and the outer end of the piston: if there is no clearance, or if it got mashed, that would also affect the operation and feel.

 

[48882]

Sorry, I thought I had closed the loop on this. I took the lever apart, and where the lever interfaces with the master cylinder, there was a lot of 'goop'. I cleaned off the stuff and the lever action has been fine, since.

 

[pauls1150]

Ah, goop... similar to tarpiculates and crapitation, but sometimes easier to deal with.