SRAM Elixir 5 User Manual

15
elixir 5 brake caliper overhaul
ELIXIR 5 BRAKE CALIPER OVERHAUL
Avid brake lever assemblies need to be serviced periodically in order to optimize braking function. If brake fluid is leaking
from any area of the brake lever assembly, there may be damage or wear and tear to the internal moving parts. If your brake
was filled with fluid OTHER than DOT 5.1 or 4 (such as mineral oil or DOT 5), damage to all rubber and plastic internal parts
may exist. If your brake was damaged in a crash, there may be damage to the lever blade and pushrod assemblies, as well as
the housing assembly. Inspection and/or replacement of these parts, due to any of the above situations, will be necessary to
restore proper brake function.
WARNING:
• AvidhighlyrecommendstheuseofrubbergloveswhenhandlingDOTfluids.
• DOTfluidswilldamagepaintedsurfaces!Ifanyfluidcomesincontactwithapaintedsurface(i.e.yourframe)orprinting
onthebrakes,wipeitoffimmediatelyandcleanwithisopropylalcoholorwater.Removalofpaintand/orprintingbyDOT
fluidisnotcoveredunderwarranty!
• Donotallowanybrakefluidtocomeincontactwiththebrakepads.Ifthisoccurs,thepadsarecontaminatedandmustbe
replaced.
• Forbestresults,useonlyAvidHigh-Performance5.1DOTFluid.IfAvidfluidisnotavailable,onlyuseDOT5.1or4fluid.
DonotusemineraloilorDOT5fluid.
• UsedDOTfluidshouldberecycledordisposedofinaccordancetolocalandfederalregulations.
• NeverpourDOTfluiddownasewageordrainagesystemorintothegroundorabodyofwater.
PARTS AND TOOLS NEEDED FOR SERVICE:
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Avid High-Performance 5.1 DOT Fluid or DOT 4 Fluid, or Avid
DOT Grease or DOT 5.1 or 4 compatible grease
• Oil pan
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Air compressor with blow gun chuck
• Torque wrench
• 5 mm hex bit socket
• 8 mm flare nut crowfoot
• 8 mm open end wrench
• 2.5 mm and 5 mm hex wrenches
• Sharp pick
• Clean, lint-free rags
• Isopropyl alcohol
TROUBLESHOOTING
‘Sticky’ or slow brake pad return feel
Before completely disassembling your caliper, it’s worth trying to loosen the sticky piston. Try the following:
1. Clamp the bicycle in a bicycle work stand.
2. Spin the affected wheel. Lightly squeeze the brake lever and watch the brake pads when the lever is released.
3. Determine which side of the caliper has a slow returning brake piston.
4. Remove the caliper from the bicycle. If you have a caliper mounting bracket, remove the bracket with the caliper attached.
5. Remove e-clip from the guide pin groove on top of the caliper. Use a 2.5 mm hex to remove the guide pin from the caliper.
6. Remove both brake pads and h-spring.
7. Use a 10 mm box wrench to press the working piston into caliper body.
8. While continuing to hold the piston inside the caliper body, squeeze the brake lever slowly to move the sticky piston inward.
Press the piston back into the caliper again.
9. Repeat these steps to correct caliper piston inner o-ring position.
10. Both pistons should now be moving freely. Re-install the spring pad clip, h-spring, and pads into the caliper. If there is no
improvement, continue with caliper service.
11. Re-install the caliper (or mounting bracket with attached caliper) on the bicycle. You may need to re-center the caliper to the
rotor. If you removed the caliper without an adapter, or removed it from the adapter, it will need to be re-centered. Spin the
wheel and check brake function.

SRAM Elixir 5 Specifications

General

Brand	SRAM
Model	Elixir 5
Category	Bicycle Accessories
Language	English