[Roadster]

On my Tektro V brakes I am unable to turn the spring adjustment screw (below the cantilevers, to regulate the position of the pads on the rim) unless I first detach the spring. Rear brakes seem ok but I have this problem with the front brakes. The screw simply will not turn in the hole. Once I release the spring I'm able to turn the screw. I've studied it and can't see what the problem is.

Anything I can do to correct this?

[hophead]

Are you talking about the screw labeled "Spring tension centering screw?"

[Roadster]

Yes.

[hophead]

I've never encountered that problem before. Try disconnecting the noodle to release tension and run the screw all the way in then back out. Maybe it has some locktite on it that is making it hard to turn under tension.

[Industry_Hack]

Misuse of that screw is an easy way to break Avid brakes. I can't imagine how fragile the Tektro brakes must be.

Go gently.

[Roadster]

Today I went to the bike shop to get the problem addressed. I received a stern lecture from the mechanic, who said that the spring must always be released before turning the adjusting screw, "otherwise you will break the brake." I didn't come across that fact anywhere in my research. Neither the LBS nor Tektro mentioned it when I talked with them.

So who's right about this? Are you supposed to have to release the spring before turning the screw, or not?

[hophead]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Today I went to the bike shop to get the problem addressed. I received a stern lecture from the mechanic, who said that the spring must always be released before turning the adjusting screw, "otherwise you will break the brake." I didn't come across that fact anywhere in my research. Neither the LBS nor Tektro mentioned it when I talked with them.

So who's right about this? Are you supposed to have to release the spring before turning the screw, or not?

The Park Tool website disagrees with your mechanic.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by hophead

The Park Tool website disagrees with your mechanic.

That guy in post five disagrees with the Park Tool site.

[hophead]

Originally Posted by Industry_Hack

That guy in post five disagrees with the Park Tool site.

I'm not sure what you are getting at exactly since "that guy in post five" made no mention of releasing the spring tension either, a procedure which is completely foreign to me.

Sheldon Brown makes no mention of releasing the spring tension prior to adjustment.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by hophead

I'm not sure what you are getting at exactly since "that guy in post five" made no mention of releasing the spring tension either, a procedure which is completely foreign to me.

Sheldon Brown makes no mention of releasing the spring tension prior to adjustment.

As you mentioned in your earlier post, you need to release the noodle. That's what takes the tension off the springs. Depending on how much tension you have to begin with, it's really easy to crack that cheap little cast bit that the centering screw is attached to.