How to Align a Hydraulic Disc Brake on a Bike

[@MA-dg1qr]

One of the best teaching videos I have ever seen; concise, to the point, perfect camera work and expert knowledge. Thank you Truman!

[@Cesar-cm4if]

Agreed! Btw, not sure if you heard about it but you should consider getting an nta helmet like xnito or bern hudson if you have a cpsc helmet. Cpsc is not that safe

[@BrianGrenoble-s1t]

i always watch the Park Tools YT DYI vid first!! 😊

[@davidkopman5710]

I am possibly the least mechanically inclined person in the Western Hemisphere and yet this video helped me fix my annoying disc rub problem in under 3 minutes. Thanks so much!

[@DJDeviANT]

The production value on these videos is bloody stellar

[@bandguy360]

when you sell a headset press tool for $85, you can make high quality videos lol

[@CoderShare]

@@bandguy360 Lol. It's literally a threaded rod with washers and nuts.

[@emanthegman9511]

@@bandguy360 😂...you could literally get a whole bike for that price....its a kinda ridiculous

[@csswizardry]

I came to this video to pass it on to a friend. Ended up watching the whole thing myself as I was so impressed with the quality and content.

[@Someone-nt8wz]

bloody hell mate

[@johndelvacchio5590]

I work part time at a bike shop due to my passion for all things bike. I work mainly in sales, I own 2 bikes and a 3rd on order. These videos help me to maintain my own bikes and speak more intelligently to customers who are thinking about buying a bike. The production quality is fantastic, the graphics sometimes used is super helpful. Thank you Park Tools.

[@mlee6050]

How often to do this? I got SRAM red but tempted to swap to a caliper I know that seems to stay centered as piston each side move in

[@garretts91]

You can easily get rid of a hard to adjust rub by sliding a business card between the smallest pad gap and the rotor. Lightly pull the brake lever while tightening the bolts.

[@billybass4189]

garretts91 superb tip!

[@nickpickles5327]

Is this good for mechanical as well?

[@benhammond1222]

@@nickpickles5327 no mate hyro have 2 pistons and mech have 1

[@blake_rockwell]

Wow, that worked perfectly! Front and back rims are straight as new, 4 years later on my Giant Trace. Thanks!

[@simborandy]

Amazing! Thank you!!

[@pjclinch00]

Before watching, disc rub, shortly after watching and doing as it said, no disc rub. Job done, thank you!

[@aymene1995]

I spent hours trying to get rid of the rub, then watched your video, solved in 5 minutes. Thank you

[@foggzie3502]

Had some rubbing on a brand new bike and this saved me a trip to the shop! Thank you so much :D

[@geodez86]

I am from Russia. I'm in the kitchen cooking dinner and watching your video. And believe me with the Park Tool not only turns out all right with the bikes, but also the mood and cooking too! )))

[@rolfpoelman3486]

Here is a tip for your meals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp6YfWaip7egnck

[@LorenzoRM85]

but what does it have to do with the fact that you are from Russia? lol

[@Contradel]

Thank you for the awesome video. I once again had to turn to the manual on my Shimano ST-RX400 to find out what I did wrong. For installation they had a "tech tip" which I think most bicycle mechanics take for given, I don't believe it was mentioned in the video. I had the issue that after depressing the brake lever I tightened one screw, then the other. This caused misalignment. The tip from the manual was: "Bring caliper fixing screws A up to torque in steps, alternating from one screw to the other. This will help keep the caliper centered over the disc brake rotor." I did this and everything was aligned, no need for fine-tuning. Thanks again for these videos. Edit: Just realized Imi R made this exact tip almost a year ago, just goes to show KZbin comments can be gold.

[@smokeycanuck8058]

As usual, Park Tool is my go-to resource on KZbin for bike service. Just picked up a bike with hydraulic brakes which I’ve never owned in the past, right from the shop I heard a little rub on the rear brake. This alignment of loosening, holding the brake and then tightening is quite possibly the easiest thing I’ve ever done to fix my bike. Thank you.

[@TheQuikMix]

never had disc brakes on a bike before ever. After a tire change and realignment, had massive brake rub. You made my life so much easier in 5-min

[@groovy_bear]

Honestly guys, keep doing this invaluable videos and keep manufacturing in the US and not overseas, and I'll keep spending quite a few bucks on your tools ! These are so crystal clear and well produced, it's almost as if we should pay for watching this (not giving you any bad idea...)

[@RationalCreed]

I’ve found that after loosening the callipers and pressing the break, if u tighten each bolt quarter turn at a time alternating as you tighten (top bolt,bottom bolt,top bolt etc) , it works well

[@PradeepMenon666]

Thanks for the tip 👍🏻

[@Chromedome-ss6mg]

Everytime I tighten my bolts my caliper moves making it hard to do. So I have to compensate knowing the caliper is going to move a millimeter or so. Tightening the bolts twist the washer and move it to the side if you know what I mean

[@vtwl24]

Brake not break

[@Contradel]

Did not see your comment until I had read the manual to find this exact tip. Thanks for sharing, this was key for my brake adjustment.

[@Papou-pk1ii]

Yup sometime the bolt with the vbrake style washer can help.​@@Chromedome-ss6mg

[@olgatha10]

Excellent video instructions!! Adressing other problems too by refering to other videos... I was lucky enough!! Didn't even have to remove the wheel!! Loosened the holding screws, pressed the brake to center caliper, tightened screws and done!! Thanks a lot guys.

[@DimaGerasimov]

Thanks, this is the only video that helped to get rid of residual rubbing noise. A few other tutorials also suggest similar thing with holding the break and then tightening, but the tip about fine tuning and screwing slower was the one that only this video has.

[@johngranato2673]

Best video on the subject--concise, clear, and comprehensive! Thanks.

[@Slazmoservicing4209]

I've found on so many occasions that having the rider sit on the bike and pull the brake lever while the calliper mount bolts are slacked off really helps fitting. The frame seems to distort and that moves when there isn't any weight on it, alignment that's achieved is thrown out when the rider gets back on. Hard to achieve yourself but when you do it a couple times you manage sitting on the seat to give weight and weight align the calliper.

[@rayvee]

My rubbing brake pad was bothering me for months and months until somebody on a forum pointed me here. Fixed in five minutes! I'm very happy :D

[@pizzaking7878]

Loosening the bolt, holding the brake, and then tightening the bolt worked for me. Thank you Park Tool!

[@strikerofear]

2:54 is what solved it for me, such a clear tutorial, thank you.

[@swd542ski9]

Thank you. Less than five minutes and the rub was gone. My first disc brake adjustment and I was nervous; this video is great.

[@Adventurous_noob]

The best video guide I've seen so far. Thanks!

[@FlowJunkie65]

Excellent and helpful vid, thank you! Park Tools is the best as is their customer service. Been a loyal Park Tools customer since around 1989.

[@jeffreychavey4161]

Thank you! The wheel alignment mentioned at the 1:45 mark is what corrected the issue I was having. Best explanation I’ve come across

[@mattkofahl]

Excellent video. I swap wheelsets for gravel and road and this is a great help to eliminate the slight difference in alignment between the two.

[@markfromtinder9616]

Wow. Your actually really good at instructing. This is the only video that explains things.

[@erwinagodilla9468]

Thank you so much! I bought a bronco and I only used it 3 times and already hearing a sound in the rotor. Im so happy!

[@sunray7629]

Thanks for the simple to follow fix - loosen the Calibur, squeeze the brake, tighten.

[@wutzzz138]

Park Tool furthering the progress of amateur/hobbyist mechanics.👏👏👏👏

[@sweetbombeets]

Thank you! I've been having trouble finding the clarity you showed me.

[@RH-mz3jn]

Another excellent Park Tool video. Thanks for the continuing support for we mere mortals of the cycling maintenance world, the information is invaluable.

[@TheRayDog]

Park videos are so excellently produced. Thank you!

[@deanh7190]

TY! @3:52 I used the folded over business card trick to space out the pads. After adjusting just with the 'brake on' method here, I still had slight rubbing. Now they are perfect.

[@brandonmullis7964]

Definitely got a sub for that video. one video = one rubbing brake pad fixed. Many Thanks

[@SoferAmator]

Best how to bike maintenance videos on youtube. Well done!

[@averyhagen5870]

This is the first bike repair video of park I’ve watched, and also coincidentally the first one that’s worked immediately

[@b.l.t.8521]

Have had this problem since last year and I really thought it would be a hard fix but thanks to you it was fixed in ten minutes

[@pandaxautrader]

Great! It's really working. I placed two thin plastic both sides to have it equal spacing.

[@Soandsoguy]

Thank you for being appropriately thorough and authoritative!

[@TwosHusbandS96]

This video is a godsent. Had the problem today, and this video was super helpful. Short, straight to the point, well explained, great production value on the video, links to a lot of other videos on this channel. Just great overall. Thanks a lot, very much appreciated

[@elkohr5314]

Perfect 😃 Literally took 1 min to adjust Thank you so much

[@kpapi4355]

Make sure the break hose is not putting too much side force on the caliper when it is screwed loose when you are about to adjust it by breaking and letting it adjust itself on the disc and tighten. My break hose put way toomuch side force on the caliper so it would rub against the disc anyway until I unsecured a zip-tie to loosen the break hose from the frame of the bike itself.

[@dalegreenaway]

These videos and all of them are just the best! Thanks guys.

[@threeonamatchventura]

Great video! I have Gemma G2 brakes and currently no videos or info is available yet. Too new? Could you do a video ? They come standard on Wired e bikes.

[@parktool]

We will look further into these. Thanks!

[@lorenkelley1568]

Excellent video - thank you! I fixed my rubbing brake pads in about 5 minutes.

[@charvinn]

fixed the grinding sound thanks to this.

[@Nogapniba]

Yeah thank you so much I just got this bike and I was really annoyed with it and finally fixed it with an easy and fast repair with one tool ! Thank you so much 😊

[@1590powerhouse]

Thank you so much! you got me back on the road!

[@bungeegums]

Procedure 3 fixed my front brake. I’m glad I saw this video because I was trying to fix my brake for 30mins

[@kianzakilavadia8480]

brooooo thank you now that where the sound came from i was able to fix it thank youuu more support to come

[@dogymal7260]

Thanks. The factory instruction like a rocket science. This is video save my life

[@lucbeauvais1847]

Thanks, I'm new with bicycles and this info is right on spot to help me.

[@williamkubicek6237]

Great video, fixed the rubbing of my Zoom disk brakes quick and easily. Thank you.

[@YasmanyPuga]

Your videos are really helpful. You've saved me time and money, and I fixed my bike's little problem easily 😊 I hope you reach 1 M subscribers!

[@kittervision]

Thank you great video easy to follow and good visuals!!! So hard to find great instructional videos like this that are informative and to the point.

[@floatingvoter8618]

Nice work Truman, I consider myself pretty experienced with hyd discs but I learned some new ways to look at, and fix, bad alignment in your video :D

[@modafoto]

Yet again Park Tool saves my day :D Thanks for awesome videos on maintenance.

[@supervid8871]

Amazing tutorial. So useful, easy to understand.with different examples Thanks

[@Bad.Rabbit]

It might be too meticulous, but even after eliminating any rub, I like to slowly engage the brake and see if it pushes the rotor to one side. I then crack the bolts lose enough to slightly move the caliper, adjust, and check again. Less rotor flex, less heat.

[@sp00n]

And this should also give you a better bite point.

[@Terra101]

Exactly as im doing! Im not crazy after all.

[@Digi20]

Most of the time this also gives you a better bite point, so its absolutely sensible to do it this way.

[@ambarbs]

Great video. Learnt something new. Though I couldn't fix the squeaky noise by adjusting the bolts.

[@parktool]

Squeaks often come from contamination on the pad and rotors. You can try to clean them with alcohol.

[@vikasagrawal662]

This is Vikas from India. I adjusted the brake of my new Rockrider ST540 very carefully following ur instructions in a closed silent room. All the brake pad noise is eliminated and they spin butter smooth. Thankyou

[@actionong]

I got a park bike stand to support you guys

[@vigomate6212]

Bought a new bike but had this problem, thanks to the video i was able to fix it even tho i dont know nothing about bikes

[@kevinhill.8]

Nice! I was taught to use a bright piece of colored paper behind the rotor to help see things, but I will definitely be trying your “backlight” version as it looks even better.

[@RosClan97]

Thanks helped me save a trip to the bikeshop. Bless you!

[@peteturner7613]

Great video. Many thanks, My front brake was rubbing after I removed the wheel to get the bike in the back of my car. Followed the video and front wheel runs free .

[@Michael-dj4vq]

Thanks so much for this video..I just recently got a new bike with hydraulic disc on it and I've been a little nervous about trying to adjust my breaks but didn't want to do it wrong and messing up my new bike

[@akken2112]

Thanks for the invaluable information in this video. It helped me with my ebike.

[@slabbadanks5829]

These videos are the best, their tools are the best, I'm officially a park tool shill

[@LiberdadeFrontal]

Thank you Park Tool!!! You saved my day... Keep going with these great vídeos... Congratulations

[@raydonluba4821]

I got a cheapish project bike I thought I would be done after this vid but now i gotta watch the rest of ur vids bc u found more problems I didn’t even know about😂😂

[@sebomel4298]

Thank you! i got a brand new bike and it was rubbing one pad and you helped me to fix it.

[@NerdsworthAcademy]

Exactly what I needed to increase the zen of my rides. Thank you!

[@dash1645]

This vid is 2nd to NONE! Thank u!!!!

[@Frank-mn4hx]

It helps me to align the hydraulic disc brakes on my E-bike. I had the rear caliper replaced on tuesday october 15th in 2024. The pads were worn and the screw holding the pads in place wasn't removable. The caliper had to be replaced along with the pads. Ater replacing I had to bed in the brake. After bedding in the brake, I feld that the brakes started to work way better. And the squeek I heard when braking is away. The disc is in good shape, and NOT worn out.

[@cihanbozkir]

I'm asking for an advice for my electric scooter. The rotor moves right to left slightly but rotor is true. Somehow the area where rotor is screwed to rim isn't in line with tire movement. Should I grind that area with sandpaper a little or take the tire to a workshop to be fixed with a lathe?

[@bradl7499]

Question - I think i am in the area - example at 1:28. Its a slight rub that last about 15% of the way, then its clear. I can see a slight deviation on the disc. It doesn't make a noise when i ride, but it does squeak a little when i brake. Is this something where i should leave it, or have the disk straightened a little (which i think would solve the issue).

[@hotchihuahua1546]

Excellent video ! 👍

[@kalprao]

adjusting the quick release axle did the trick on my bike!

[@litarea]

thank you guys so much. just got a gorgeous new bike today and had to take off the quick releases to get it home. Once I got.back home it rubbed like a mfer and I was not in a good mood. Appreciate the vid

[@martinb.8620]

Este es un canal absolutamente genial, la pena es que no haya subtítulos en español, los aficionados de habla inglesa sois muy afortunados. Me encantaría que hubiera algo parecido en español. Aún así con los subtítulos en inglés y paciencia se obtiene muy buena información. Son videos muy visuales, están hechos con mucha profesionalidad. Muchas gracias

[@parktool]

Viewers can make subtitles. We do not have people here that can effectively translate. Thanks for watching! You will notice that some of our videos do have Subtitle options as a viewer has already done that.

[@martinb.8620]

@@parktool (Google traductor). Thank you very much for answering.

[@SaratogaNovaScotia]

You are a life saver, thanks!! Just replaced my tires and was struggling with the disc alignment. Your video helped me 100% Thanks again!

[@michaelclark9210]

just had to fix the wheel seating. glad u said that first.

[@georgemallory797]

Wow, I really profited from this. Very well done video. Thank you.

[@pnpaubrecht8664]

What a great, helpful video. I love the links to fix other problems. I have the Park torque tool, chain spacer tool (is my chain stretched), chain cleaning tool (love it, because I'm not competent to remove the chain for cleaning), some kind of brush for cleaning the sprockets, and a tool to clean between the cogs. Oh and btw, After the prescribed inspections, I loosened the main nuts, squeezed the brakes and then tightened. Problem solved.

[@76galb]

Tnx for this video - I go through what you suggested and no noice from caliper anymore

[@richardfabrizio8998]

Thanks for the diagnostic tips. Very well explained

[@keaixiaomeinv]

This is simply incredible.

[@Silimun]

These videos are outstanding. Super easy to follow and extremely thorough

[@cocochanel9291]

worked perfectly.

[@jasonbroni]

3:02 - 3:20 - done and done - thanks!

[@andreiwasfound]

thank you, saved me an trip to the shop, and it was very simple too!

[@buckroger6456]

Awesome video. Very well done. Didn't even know you guys had a KZbin channel, instant sub.

[@GNX157]

I'd bet you'd be lucky to find one in every ten bike shops that have the facing tool he mentioned. It's over $500 too.

[@johngalvin6010]

I bought a brand new mountain bike online, besides other things wrong with it the alignment was not set correctly, but the seller was so unhelpful I returned it. But now I know what I'm looking for, I might just adjust my ebike side pull caliper brakes and save myself a few quid.

[@tcistrash9911]

amazing, amazing video. I wish more videos were like this.

[@benhammond1222]

Thank you parktool saved me a trip to LBS !

[@FargoTownie]

Nice. Simple and to the point.

[@ongobo23]

My caliper is all the way in and the there is still a slight rub with my rotor. I cleaned my caliper pistons and the pads are still good.The inside piston was stuck but now moves freely after cleaning. I ordered some Shimano washer shims from the U.K. for shipment to here in the U.S. Hopefully that solves the problem. I could drill the holes in the caliper bracket a little larger, but I don't want to do that.

[@parktool]

This could be a hub or frame issue as well. The easiest solution is what you are planning on. Precision shims are also available in the U.S.A at McMaster Carr.

[@ongobo23]

@@parktool Thanks for the advice.