Lube or Replace "dry" Shimano roller brake
dimitris_...@yahoo.com
The rear roller brake (Shimano BR-IM41R) of my Nexus equipped city
bike has always been very weak. On closer inspection I noticed that
the plastic grease hole cap is missing and of course the drum is dry.
Would lubing the drum and plugging the hole improve the performance or
will I have to replace the whole thing? Are there any alternatives?
Thank you in advance
Dimitris
dimitris_...@yahoo.com
<dimitris_stamate...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Also, Shimano recommends a "special" roller brake grease for lubing
this roller brake. What is so special about this grease? Is there an
equivalent product I could buy at the local hardware store?
Thanks again
Dimitris
Chalo
>
> The rear roller brake (Shimano BR-IM41R) of my Nexus equipped city
> bike has always been very weak. On closer inspection I noticed that
> the plastic grease hole cap is missing and of course the drum is dry.
>
> Would lubing the drum and plugging the hole improve the performance or
> will I have to replace the whole thing? Are there any alternatives?
Usually, a Shimano roller brake lets you know it needs greasing by
making a scraping noise and changing its friction qualities in one way
or another. But it could not hurt for you to add grease if you have
been riding the bike for a year or more without refreshing the old
grease.
Shimano insist that their special (expensive) roller brake grease is
necessary, and they might be right-- it is a very demanding high
temperature application for a grease. If you must use a non-Shimano
grease, try to find one with the highest possible temperature rating,
and to be on the safe side use one that does not have molybdenum
disulfide added. (If the grease is white or colored instead of black,
you will know it does not contain moly disulfide.)
Chalo
AMuzi
> The rear roller brake (Shimano BR-IM41R) of my Nexus equipped city
> bike has always been very weak. On closer inspection I noticed that
> the plastic grease hole cap is missing and of course the drum is dry.
>
> Would lubing the drum and plugging the hole improve the performance or
> will I have to replace the whole thing? Are there any alternatives?
Yes, pump it full of grease. The cover is less important
than getting lubricant in there. You'll be amazed at how
easily and quickly these go back to 'like new' once lubed.
--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
landotter
those things.
The Phil's seems a little less susceptible to washing out. I suppose
one high temp grease or another might be superior in alpine
conditions, but for the intended application--utility riding--the
important thing is the service itself.
Andre Jute
Replying to both your posts. The BR-IM41R isn't the strongest rear
brake Shimano ever built but that is irrelevant; it is more than
strong enough to keep the wheel down. I have one on my Gazelle
Toulouse, matched to a disc front brake.
You can get replacement rubber plugs from Petra Cycles in England, who
also stock the required special grease in 10 and 100ml tubes. Buy the
big one and use it once a year; it'll last ten years. You might get
away with using another very high-temp grease but how would you get it
into the drum? The Shimano tube is the right shape.
Andre Jute
Visit Andre's Gazelle Toulouse at
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/fiultra/BICYCLE%20Bauhaus.html
Dieter Britz
As mentioned by others, high temperature grease is used here. But
not "full of grease" as someone suggests. Apply the brake grease
in a very thin layer, otherwise the brake will not work well. I
use this with my Torpedo hubs and apply new grease (and bearing
grease) once a year. I reckon a 10 ml tube will last you the 10
years, as very little is needed.
--
Dieter Britz (dieterhansbritz<at>gmail.com)
Chalo
>
> As mentioned by others, high temperature grease is used here. But
> not "full of grease" as someone suggests. Apply the brake grease
> in a very thin layer, otherwise the brake will not work well. I
> use this with my Torpedo hubs and apply new grease (and bearing
> grease) once a year. I reckon a 10 ml tube will last you the 10
> years, as very little is needed.
A dry coaster hub is a sad thing. I use lots of grease, so there is a
reservoir from which the lubricant can be replenished. Do this and
your coaster brake hub will go many years between required servicing.
The only time I would not almost fill a coaster brake hub is when it
is an internal gear hub with a coaster brake. These must not have too
much grease packed in around the pawls and sliding mechanisms. In
that case I'll liberally grease the brake drum but use modest amounts
elsewhere.
Chalo