Help with Shimano XT V Brake setup

[Jamis Diablo]

I have mine installed perfectly with the pin in the upper hole.
So it can be done. Are you missing some washers?

 

[Keando]

Thanks for all the help.

I'll carry on fiddling and see if I can make the upper locating hole work.
Otherwise may resort to bending the spring wire.

 

[gibbleking]

bend the tension springs out a bit..... that way they engage a bit sooner...works for me a crate load of times

 

[jamy99]

I had this problem a few weeks ago with my rear xtr v's. When the pins are in the centre holes, the pads line up to the rim nice and square as you say, but there is no spring.

I had to use the top hole and adjust the pads down. It doesn't look right but the brakes work well. Just takes a bit of messing to get the pads in line.

Has anyone been able to get v brakes to work with pins in the centre holes? This is certainly the way that looks right as pad adjustment is much easier

 

[ishaw]

Just built a bike using m952 v brakes, in centre holes and had no problems. Just need to fiddle with the tension screws to get the balance right.

If you think about it, forks, especially suspension, only have the centre hole.

 

[LTS Biker]

On the back side, the arm has a metal little bar comming from the mounting of the brake. That bar (spring-arm) needs to be hooked on the outside of the brake at the pin. Now it is on the inside and doesn't give it any tension.

(Corrected)

 

[LTS Biker]

Now I'm confused... coffee first..

 

[drystonepaul]

As gibbleking says; just bend the spring rod back ie. outwards away from the rim, to add spring tension.
Crude but very effective.

 

[Keando]

Eventually resorted to bending the tension wire and now appear to be working fine.

Thanks for the advice.