Rear brake actuating arm loose on shaft

[bluedog]

I am in the middle of doing up my brakes and when pinning the old rear actuating arm to a new brake cam shaft it is has a slight lateral wobble. I tried a new arm but that was worse. Is there a way I can make this a tighter fit before pinning?

 

[Jacksonlll]

I know you want it tight, but if all the movement is lateral, it will have no affect on your braking. I think a lot are like yours. jack

 

[Rowdy]

Possibly have part of the shaft knurled where the arm fits. Or order a higher quality shaft. Where did you buy the shaft? I am sure there is more than one manufacturer. Rod

 

[bluedog]

I got the shaft from Brattons. RH side fits nice. Interestingly both new cams are loose when used with new arms. I will check original cam and may use that. Or, not worry for the moment because as Jack indicates the force is in the other direction.
Greg

 

[Marco Tahtaras]

Hopefully nobody has applied heat to that lever as that wouldn't be good! How difficult is it to slip the snug one back off? That would tell you if it's the (one) new shaft or a damaged lever.

I would be inclined to determine exactly what the problem is and correct it. The sloppier that fit is, the more work that small pin/rivet is doing. Having that rivet shear under hard braking would not be good!

As a last resort you can drill a very small hole ALONG the shaft at the top, in the seam between the shaft and lever so the hole is half in the lever and half in the shaft. Then tap in a slightly larger (press fit) pin. Done properly this will both tighten the fit so there is no side motion to the lever and the pin will act somewhat as a key helping to prevent any rotation.

The drilling and the pin length should be no longer than the width of the lever at that point so the pin does not protrude past the base of the lever and into or touching the bushing in the backing plate. The pin really should not need to be more than about 1/6" diameter. The end being inserted must have a slight chamfer.

 

[bluedog]

I pulled it apart and re-pinned it with a new pin. Before insertion of the pin I deformed it a little to ensure a tight fit. No lateral movement this time around. Thanks for you suggestion Marco. I will remember that one.