Procedure

Loosen the cable pinch bolt

at the brake caliper.

Pull the cable out

through the lever.

For housing replacement:

measure the old housing as a guide for length. Cut new housing to match using a cable cutter — clean square cuts. Open the inner liner with a pick if crushed.

Cap each housing end

with a brake-specific ferrule (these are wider than shift ferrules — don't substitute).

Lubricate the new inner cable

with a light oil.

Thread the cable

through the lever — the cable head sits in a recessed pocket. Make sure it seats. The pocket location depends on lever style (drop bars: open the lever hood and access the pocket through the hole that appears).

Route cable through housing and frame guides.

Pull through the pinch bolt at the caliper.

Pull cable taut

and tighten the pinch bolt to spec (4–6 Nm).

Cut excess cable

leaving 30–40 mm.

Crimp on a cable end cap.

Test brake feel.

Adjust at the barrel adjuster if lever travel is too far before bite. ---

Procedure #

Loosen the cable pinch bolt at the brake caliper.
Pull the cable out through the lever.
For housing replacement: measure the old housing as a guide for length. Cut new housing to match using a cable cutter — clean square cuts. Open the inner liner with a pick if crushed.
Cap each housing end with a brake-specific ferrule (these are wider than shift ferrules — don’t substitute).
Lubricate the new inner cable with a light oil.
Thread the cable through the lever — the cable head sits in a recessed pocket. Make sure it seats. The pocket location depends on lever style (drop bars: open the lever hood and access the pocket through the hole that appears).
Route cable through housing and frame guides.
Pull through the pinch bolt at the caliper.
Pull cable taut and tighten the pinch bolt to spec (4–6 Nm).
Cut excess cable leaving 30–40 mm.
Crimp on a cable end cap.
Test brake feel. Adjust at the barrel adjuster if lever travel is too far before bite.

Brake Cable Replacement (Mechanical Rim or Disc Brakes)

Tools