Rear Modolo brake pinch bolt won’t pinch 🤔

[CrashRescue]

My rear Modolo brake pinch bolt won’t pinch the cable tight. A good pull on the lever and the cable pulls through. Any suggestions for remedies please?

 

[SteelNipple]

Can you take a picture of the pinch bolt with the brake cable? It goes in only "one" way and has a groove and a hole for the brake cable. Maybe you have assembled it the wrong way.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Sometimes the clamping washer is missing (or too thin) and the nut reaches the ends of the threads.

 

[CrashRescue]

I took a close look this morning but front and back are identical setups. This is a 1985 Modolo flash model with a new old stock stainless steel brake cable. I might have a few different size washers to try but they certainly weren’t in there when I took them apart to clean. How does the current set up look?

 

[Blacktopdisciple]

Check that there are no cracks in the slotted spacer next to the nut. If there is it will widen under tightening and fail to grip the cable.

 

[jim haseltine]

I'd also check the condition of the threads inside the nut and on the pinch bolt.

 

[SteelNipple]

Maybe the slot in the spacer is too deep and when clamped down leaves enough cap for the cable to slip out when pulled with force. I have those exact Modolo brakes, I'll look how the cable clamp assembly looks on mine.

 

[CrashRescue]

I’ve had it apart again this afternoon noon. The slot and nut appear to be in good order with minimal wear so I conclude the brake cable gauge is too small to be clamped effectively. There’s no problem with the front brake on the same cable. I’ve measured the cable diameter at just 1.4mm.