[Sandwich]

I just got a bike with the last set of Hayes mags HD on it. My experience with mags has been that if you can get them set up right, they aren't bad brakes, and they're damned reliable. My problem is that one of the adjusters for lever reach is stripped and won't budge. I plan on taking a hacksaw to it to cut a slot so I can turn it, but can I replace that screw at another time? I was hoping to get some straitline levers to make them moderately comfortable.

Do I have to completely disassemble the thing to replace that bolt? Can I do it without bleeding? (myself or the brakes)

 

[jonKranked]

save yourself the aggravation and just get new brakes.

 

[jonKranked]

and i'm saying that honestly. i had a set of mags that needed some work. I had a go at it, and I got so frustrated dealing with them b/c they were so old I just threw them out. They're honestly not worth it.

 

[Sandwich]

I really think I can at least get a working set of brakes with just the ball pin adjuster....but yeah, maybe not worth the $30 lever upgrade.

 

[jonKranked]

it might just be as simple as getting the adjuster bolt unstuck. try it with a hacksaw, or maybe a dremel. is enough sticking out to get vise grips on it? have at it, but i wouldn't spend more than 15 or 20 minutes on it.

 

[w00dy]

Service date tomorrow? Then car show?

 

[Sandwich]

I'd love to session/shuttle prospect, to try and dial it in.

 

[HAB]

My experience with Hayes Mags: kill them with fire. If you want some real brakes I have a pair of Formula The Ones in good shape that I would consider selling.

 

[Sandwich]

quanto questa? those SLX's are $200, and mighty tempting, but I'm always a fan of MOAR power.

 

[HAB]

IDK, my BFF Jill?


They're the first generation ones but in really good shape. Make an offer? Also have some Hope Mono Minis but you probably don't want those on a DH bike.

 

[HardtailHack]

quanto questa? those SLX's are $200, and mighty tempting, but I'm always a fan of MOAR power.

So you think Mags will have more power than an SLX?

Mags were never a good brake much like everything else Hayes, Hayes brakes belong on useless bikes like Harleys not MTBs.

 

[HAB]

No he meant my The Ones have moar power than the SLXs.

 

[MikeD]

Mags aren't bad brakes. They stopped us in 2002, they stop us now. Not that there aren't marginally better options now, but honestly, a Mag with an 8" is as much as any of us will actually need in use. I think we're all pretty Princess-and-the-Pea on this stuff.

The adjuster is integral to the master cylinder assembly IIRC. So if it's stripped you'll probably need a new master cylinder.

If you can find one laying around cheap or free, replacing it is pretty easy. (IIR again: Just remove lever, detach line, unscrew the exterior nut and the whole thing slides out of the body in one piece. Slide in new master cyl, install the nut from the outside, thread adjuster into brass barrel, fix lever to body, attach line, fill/bleed and you're set.)

If you can't, I'd get new brakes.

I also recall the existence of two different sizes of reach adjuster and corresponding brass barrel. So ensure they match; easiest if the new master cylinder is coming with a matching piece.

 

[Sandwich]

Thanks for the tips. I ended up giving it a shot because I'm dumb and impatient. Ended up tearing off the outer boot but managed to replace the pushrod with one from a Hayes nine i had lying around....so they work, but they may end up getting dirt inside there. Wish I were smarter about getting around the boot, then i woudlnt have torn it. Oh well. I think I managed to not get air in there, but well see.