How tight should front brake retaining bolt be?

[roubaixtuesday]

Had an issue with the front brake, OK set up on the stand but after a short distance, would be rubbing one side.

Applying the brake stopped the rubbing, but came back again shortly.

Adjusting the centring screw seemed to make little difference.

On investigation, the main retaining bolt seemed a little loose, and tightening it seemed to solve the problem.

But how tight should it be? Done up hard, the caliper doesn't swivel at all. Too loose seems to result in the issue described above.

So, how tight should the brake bolt be?

 

[Cycleops]

Assume you’re talking about side pull brakes. Not very tight, according to Park Tool 8 nm. You might find a centring tool useful:

 

[Ajax Bay]

Depending on the model, worth checking you have the serrated washer present and turned the right way round.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Depending on the model, worth checking you have the serrated washer present and turned the right way round.

It's Ultegra R8000.

It's worked fine for over 1000 miles, so I don't think there's anything fundamentally awry, it's probably just the bolt worked a little loose.

What I'm not sure about, embarrassingly having ridden similar for many years, is what the intent of how tight it should be is?

Should the caliper be absolutely fixed?

Or is it intended to be allowed to rotate a little in use?

I'm thinking fixed?

8Nm is recommended, but I don't have a torque wrench...

 

[Cycleops]

I don't think it's critical just don't overtighten it.