V-brake brake block washer muddle

[Danny]

Help

I've been trying to fit new brake blocks to the V brakes on my son's bike, and have got totally confused about all the washers

Am I right in thinking that there should be two washers either side of of the brake, with the thickest ones on the side closest to the wheel? And should be concave sides of the washers face each other?

And why are there so many washers in the first place?

 

[jpembroke]

The important bit to get right is the position of the orbital washers (the dish shaped ones - usually a goldish colour). There should be one of these either side of the slot on the brake caliper with curved side facing away from the caliper slot. These curved faces sit in the concave 'bowl' part of the fat/thin washers. You choose where the fat and thin washers go depending on the space you have: fat (MTB) wheels usually have the thin washer on wheel side of slot; thin (road) wheels usually have the fat washer on wheel side of slot. The fat and thin washers help position the brake pad the correct distance from the rim so you don't end up with pads that are too far or too close to the rim. The orbital washers allow the pads to be set parallel to the rim (or toed in if you prefer).

This photo just about shows the set up:

View attachment 2500

The gap between the two orbital washers is where they fit around the brake slot.