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Straighten a bent brake rotor


1. If your brake is rubbing, first check that the calliper is aligned with the rotor. Loosen the calliper bolts just enough to allow you to move it from side to side. Spin the wheel, then adjust the position of the calliper by hand until it no longer rubs, or only rubs at one point of the rotor.

2. Rotor still rubbing at one point? It’ll need straightening. If it’s the back wheel that’s a

3. Spin the wheel and listen out for a rubbing sound. Stop the wheel at the point where the rotor contacts the pads. Look down through the calliper to see which pad the rotor is touching. If it’s the right pad you’ll need to bend the rotor left, and vice versa.

4. Note which part of the rotor is rubbing, then rotate the wheel until the bent section is free of the calliper. With a rotor truing tool, adjustable spanner or clean hands, pull the rotor a few millimetres in the opposite direction to the pad it was touching.


5. Rotate the bent section of rotor back into the calliper and look down through the pad slot again. If the rotor is still touching the same pad, repeat step 4, but this time bend it a little further than before.

6. If the rotor now touches the opposite pad, you’ve bent it too far. Repeat step 4, but this time bend the rotor more gently and in the opposite direction to before. Repeat until it’s central between the pads.

7. Spin the wheel again, listening out for any rubbing spots. If necessary, repeat steps 3 to 6. When the rotor is no longer rubbing, put the chain back on the cassette and you’re ready to ride!


ROTOR TRUING TOOL
Also known as a truing fork, this makes it easy to bend the disc back into shape. A (clean) adjustable spanner can be used instead. Sometimes it’s easier to straighten the rotor by hand, particularly if a large section is bent.
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