On the subject of the split cotter pins I have on my deore hydraulics - something skew with the sizing figures !! measure the distance from one end to the other on the one on the bike - and it was 32mm - ordered 32 mm ones, and they came today, but the 32mm is from below the loop to just inside the shorter pin leg! So it lloks like the sizing is for the thing its means to go through...
Anyway - they are also thinner that the current ones - about half as thick - so 2 questions really.
First - is it advisable to cut cotter pins to length? and second, will it matter if they are that much thinner - do they have to be a snug fit in the caliper?
If they are cutable, but need to be the right thickness, I can probably order the thicker (but longer) ones, and cut them to size...
Or - if anyone knows the right dimensions, and where I can get them in the UK, I'd really appreciate it...
you can cut them as short as you like about the size, cant help allot because you didn't say the diameter, but l would try the local auto-parts store or a carburettor rebuilding store or a bolt store. and BTW you don't need to bend them into a pretzel to make them stay in, just a little bend will do. they will be easier to remove and you can reuse them(not that they cost much, but you may not have a spare)
you can cut them as short as you like about the size, cant help allot because you didn't say the diameter, but l would try the local auto-parts store or a carburettor rebuilding store or a bolt store. and BTW you don't need to bend them into a pretzel to make them stay in, just a little bend will do. they will be easier to remove and you can reuse them(not that they cost much, but you may not have a spare)
I did indeed go to a car part store when I found out my local hardware 'aircraft hangar' didn't sell split pins ! Bought some 5/32 inch diameter pins (after measuring the current pin with a micrometer, 5/32 was pretty close), they were half an inch too long, but thought I could cut them, got them home and hey presto, they didnt fit !!!!
Anyway - I've worked out the problem now - you basically need 1x1/8 inch pins, and I've found an online retailer that will send them to me in an envelope rather than the £6.50 carriage they normally charge customers - so overall , a couple of quid...and they should be here today...
