Hope specialists - NEW QUESTION pg2

I've got a set of hope minis on my FSR. I've noticed over the last few rides that they've lost a fair bit of power and the lever needs pulling much more to engage the brakes both front and back

Took it to my LBS for a rebleed and pad change. They said they didn't need bleeding but changed the pads anyway. However in my opinion they're no better than they were before and I'm missing the original feel of the brakes... Two finger tweak gave a big braking kick which is how I like it.

So I called Hope and the nice guys there talked me through what could be wrong:

- calliper needs aligning
- pistons have seized
- new brake pads
- discs might be goosed

As much as they could over the phone we didn't get close to an answer and their suggestion was that given the age of the brakes they might just need an overhaul with new seals etc.

Problem is they want £40 per brake to do this. I don't have £80 lying around to be honest

So I need some advice:

- how difficult would the service be to do myself and has anyone got any experience/instructions?
- is it worth spending £80 to get some 5/6/7 year old brakes fixed?
- where would I get spares kit from?
- should I just bite it and spend the money with hope as I'd be 150% confident they'd sort em out?

Thoughts most welcome
TL

Re: Hope specialists

Pics to confirm the model of the brakes...

Re: Hope specialists

There are quite a few Hope specialists on here, so someone will have the definative answer. I have a set of M4's that im still using, and when bled and set up properly are still pretty awesome. Chain Reaction Cycles still have a massive spares range for Hope, and im pretty sure they will have everything you need.
I changed my front hose to a braded one, and that made a big difference too.
There are loads of Youtube videos done by Hope technicians...always worth a look.

Re: Hope specialists

What misteroo says. Shouldnt be hard to service, plenty of vids. Maybe a drop of DOT fluid around the pistons to loosen them up, they may just be sticky. Take the caliper off the frame though, you dont want to spill that anywhere, it is nasty stuff!

I would give them a bleed anyway, maybe the fluid is tired and needs replacing or just low, these would cause the symptoms you describe.

Re: Hope specialists

Whatleymeister":epzwyqvu said:

What misteroo says. Shouldnt be hard to service, plenty of vids. Maybe a drop of DOT fluid around the pistons to loosen them up, they may just be sticky. Take the caliper off the frame though, you dont want to spill that anywhere, it is nasty stuff!

I would give them a bleed anyway, maybe the fluid is tired and needs replacing or just low, these would cause the symptoms you describe.

Click to expand...

I got a length of clear tubing from B&Q and a plastic paint holder thingy...all for under a fiver...that's all you need to bleed!!

Re: Hope specialists

misteroo":2ocvbqhw said:

Whatleymeister":2ocvbqhw said:

What misteroo says. Shouldnt be hard to service, plenty of vids. Maybe a drop of DOT fluid around the pistons to loosen them up, they may just be sticky. Take the caliper off the frame though, you dont want to spill that anywhere, it is nasty stuff!

I would give them a bleed anyway, maybe the fluid is tired and needs replacing or just low, these would cause the symptoms you describe.

Click to expand...

I got a length of clear tubing from B&Q and a plastic paint holder thingy...all for under a fiver...that's all you need to bleed!!

Click to expand...

Sounds ideal! I just kept the bits from bleeding a mates shimano brakes (except the mineral oil, no good in Hopes) and use that. If one is concerned they want the right bits, epic bleed solutions do a kit for £10 including 100ml of dot fluid:

http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/produ ... plete-kit/

Re-usable kit too so pretty handy really. Can't knock the B&Q route though!

Re: Hope specialists

They're pretty easy to work on. If CRC don't have the spares (I've noticed that they have less and less bits for older stuff now), UK Bike Store will.

Personally I'd remove the pistons, give them a good clean up, pop soe new seals in and new DOT fluid.

Have the pads bedded in yet? That may be some of the reason that the brakes are not all that powerful.

Re: Hope specialists

Thanks all. Much inspiration.

Assuming it's two sets of these I need?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobi ... delID=3274

Anything else?

Re: Hope specialists

trickylad":2trr9x70 said:

Thanks all. Much inspiration.

Assuming it's two sets of these I need?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobi ... delID=3274

Anything else?

Click to expand...

Not an expert but I think you might need what Hope call a "seal kit-complete". I have one for my E4's and it looks like this
Parts for the lever and the caliper. Happy to be corrected on that though. As I recall it was a fiver from Hope but that was 10 years ago.

Re: Hope specialists

trickylad":24378b8v said:

Thanks all. Much inspiration.

Assuming it's two sets of these I need?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobi ... delID=3274

Anything else?

Click to expand...

They're the right bits. You can also replace the pistons if you want for £8 a brake...CRC only have the ceramic ones but they deal with heat better, something that the Mini's never coped with very well.

You could also rebuild the lever if you really wanted, but I'd do the pistons and see you got in from there.