Guide Brake repair

Related:
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Question
SRAM
Falcon
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Falcon
OK guys, help me out. I have the dreaded SRAM Brake slop, which comes eventually to anyone who uses Guide brakes. It comes from the plastic plunger inside the master cylinder, which expands and wedges itself in the bore, preventing a smooth and complete return of the lever.
I see there is a rebuild kit at Jenson, but it appears to be a "get it back to stock" kit, instead of a "fix it right, forever" kit. Does anyone make a rebuild kit with internal parts that won't go south again after a few hundred miles?
(For reference, I have the Guide R model.)
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Scrub
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Scrub 12/4/2019 6:43pm
12/4/2019 6:43pm
Take the complete brake system to a bike shop that deals with SRAM. They "should" be able to warranty the levers, no need to buy anything. Otherwise, take the lever apart and sand down the white plunger piece so it doesn't get stuck in the bore, there are how-to videos online. I've gone both routes and have had success.
2
BHowell
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BHowell 12/5/2019 6:28am
12/5/2019 6:28am
What Scrub said, this is a warranty issue. SRAM will send you new levers.
1
Skerby
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Skerby 12/5/2019 6:48am
12/5/2019 6:48am
I have replaced levers because of this issue before. The last time it happened I just disassembled the lever and dripped some brake fluid down onto the plastic piston. It has been dialed ever since, doesn't get super hot here though.
Big Bird
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Big Bird 12/5/2019 8:15am
12/5/2019 8:15am
Yep, it's a warranty issue. When I worked at Art's Sram sent us a new box of pistons to fix them at first. Then we called bullshit and got a whole box of complete new levers.
1
ssk
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ssk 12/5/2019 3:23pm
12/5/2019 3:23pm
I replaced the plastic plunger with an aluminum one off eBay. 1yr no problems so far.
Falcon
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Falcon 12/7/2019 3:59pm
12/7/2019 3:59pm
ssk wrote:
I replaced the plastic plunger with an aluminum one off eBay. 1yr no problems so far.
This is kind of what I'm looking at.

I'm not really hopeful for a warranty replacement for two reasons:
1) I got the bike from a DTC brand (Commencal.) I'm not sure a LBC would be stoked to help.
2) I've crashed hard enough to bend the front brake lever pretty good. It was already acting up and didn't actually change the performance at all, but I could easily imagine SRAM saying, "Sorry, that's crash damage."

Thanks for your help, guys!
1
singletrackslayer 12/10/2019 6:41am
12/10/2019 6:41am
It is a known warranty issue, SRAM will replace with the newer Generation levers. Easy as pie. Or do yourself a nice upgrade and get RSC levers or Ultimate levers.
BHowell
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BHowell 12/10/2019 8:17am
12/10/2019 8:17am
ssk wrote:
I replaced the plastic plunger with an aluminum one off eBay. 1yr no problems so far.
Falcon wrote:
This is kind of what I'm looking at. I'm not really hopeful for a warranty replacement for two reasons: 1) I got the bike from a...
This is kind of what I'm looking at.

I'm not really hopeful for a warranty replacement for two reasons:
1) I got the bike from a DTC brand (Commencal.) I'm not sure a LBC would be stoked to help.
2) I've crashed hard enough to bend the front brake lever pretty good. It was already acting up and didn't actually change the performance at all, but I could easily imagine SRAM saying, "Sorry, that's crash damage."

Thanks for your help, guys!
Commencal will actually be your warranty contact for this. Reach out to them directly with your serial numbers handy, they should be able to source new levers for you. They may have you send in your brakes for a lever swap or just send you new levers to swap/deal with yourself.
2
Falcon
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Falcon 12/11/2019 11:29am
12/11/2019 11:29am
ssk wrote:
I replaced the plastic plunger with an aluminum one off eBay. 1yr no problems so far.
Falcon wrote:
This is kind of what I'm looking at. I'm not really hopeful for a warranty replacement for two reasons: 1) I got the bike from a...
This is kind of what I'm looking at.

I'm not really hopeful for a warranty replacement for two reasons:
1) I got the bike from a DTC brand (Commencal.) I'm not sure a LBC would be stoked to help.
2) I've crashed hard enough to bend the front brake lever pretty good. It was already acting up and didn't actually change the performance at all, but I could easily imagine SRAM saying, "Sorry, that's crash damage."

Thanks for your help, guys!
BHowell wrote:
Commencal will actually be your warranty contact for this. Reach out to them directly with your serial numbers handy, they should be able to source new...
Commencal will actually be your warranty contact for this. Reach out to them directly with your serial numbers handy, they should be able to source new levers for you. They may have you send in your brakes for a lever swap or just send you new levers to swap/deal with yourself.
Oh, that's good news. I'll try that angle. Didn't even think of that. Thanks!
3
Falcon
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Falcon 12/30/2019 8:00pm
12/30/2019 8:00pm
Stoked! Commencal was able to warranty the levers for me. I got two brand-spanking new lever assemblies. I didn't really have high hopes but they came through for me. Thanks, SRAM and Commencal!
5
phaidon
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phaidon 6/20/2023 6:21am
6/20/2023 6:21am

hello, I don't know the brake logic between bike and car exactly, but can you please summarize the tips I need to know about car brake oil change? Brake fluid exchange cost is very important to me. I don't want it to be too expensive. Because my car has brake problem and I am looking for a professional brake repair master. I found this site on the internet. It does free and detailed damage detection. Do you think I should choose?

image-20230620162030-2

4
Primoz
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Primoz 6/29/2023 1:54pm
6/29/2023 1:54pm
ssk wrote:
I replaced the plastic plunger with an aluminum one off eBay. 1yr no problems so far.

Enjoy the ticking time bomb that are scored master cylinders... There's a reason the piston is plastic (softer than aluminium)...

ssk
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ssk 7/1/2023 11:08pm
7/1/2023 11:08pm
ssk wrote:
I replaced the plastic plunger with an aluminum one off eBay. 1yr no problems so far.
Primoz wrote:

Enjoy the ticking time bomb that are scored master cylinders... There's a reason the piston is plastic (softer than aluminium)...

Still in use today, not issues

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