Installing Tektro Calipers

Sean M. Cunningham said:

Hello,

I just got a pair of Tektro RX 40 Calipers to install on my Trek 2500
frame.

The calipers each have a threaded stud coming out of the back to
attach it to the frame. The threaded stud has a 'cap' which is
threaded over it to secure it.

There is one caliper with a long stud, and one caliper with a short
stud. Also, there is a long 'cap' and a short 'cap'. And, there are
two thick washer-type things for each caliper.

Actually, those are probably both for the front, depending on your fork
model. Does one washer have a cutout shape, and one totally flat? If the
front face of the hole in the fork is flat, use the flat washer. If you
have an older steel fork with a rounded front, use the round washer.

Quoted message said:

When I got home, I was excited about my new parts, and immediately
took them out of the box and took them apart. Now, I can't remember
if the short cap goes with the short stud, or the long one. Does it
matter?

Not really, as long as you have at least several threads of engagement. 1.5
times the diameter of the bolt (5mm) is how much you should have engaged.

Quoted message said:

Also, I can't seem to get either caliper attached to the rear of the
frame, with either 'cap' The hole in the rear of the frame is too big;
when I tighten the cap, it just goes into the hole. On the fork, the
cap (which is wider towards the top) goes in, then the wider portion
makes contact with the fork around the edges of the hole.

Does the cap (actually a nut) go all the way through the hole so that it
comes out the other side and falls out the other side? If not, and if the
nut sits on the flange where you put the 5mm hex key in, that's normal. On
the fork, what you describe is normal. You shouldn't be able to see the nut
when you're just looking from the bike from the side.

Quoted message said:

Is there a standard way these get installed, or any obvious mistake
I'm making?

Here's a pic of the calipers - the 'cap' I'm talking about is in the
middle, pictured between the washers:

http://www.radplan-delta.de/bin/bremsen/tektro_rx40_s.jpg

I checked Tektro's site; the support section does not work in Firefox
or IE. And the instructions which came with the calipers were next to
useless.

TIA for your help!

It sounds like you got it right. Things should fit flush on the rear and
recessed on the front.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training