Squeaky brakes

[Odinist]

My front brakes have been squeaky since last year. I just recently put new pads on my bike (both front and rear), and thought that this would eliminate the squeaks and squeals from the front brake. But, it didn't.

If I'm braking hard with the front, it's quiet. It's only if I'm lightly using the brake that it's really squeaky... what causes this, and can I fix it?

[Steve]

Sure, you can fix it, just install some cross-drilled brake lines from KaleCo Automotive to relieve some of that excess pressure on the pads.


On a more serious note, take the pads out, make sure they are not glazed over. You can scuff them up a bit with some sandpaper, but be sure to not breathe the dust. Clean up the disks real good, then put about a 15-20 degree bevel on the leading edge of the pad. This helps keep them from chattering, which is the noise you are hearing. One other thing that will help is to get a pack of disk brake lube from your favorite auto parts store. They have little packs that are like fast-food ketchup packs for about a buck. One will do. Put a light film on the back and edges of the pad, wherever it contacts metal. Your brakes should be wonderfully silent now.

.

[machspeed]

The squeaking is caused by a glazing on the rotor, from friction and heat of braking. You need to scuff your rotors with a piece of #400 sandpaper in a X pattern, it sounds a bit crazy I know but it will get rid the squeaking and also you stop better.

[Odinist]

D'oh, yeah Steve, I've used that stuff before when doing brakes on cars... I didn't even think about using it on my bike.

Mach, scuff up the rotors??? Madness! Haha, I'll give that a shot as well.

[Steve]

... just install some cross-drilled brake lines from KaleCo Automotive ...

D'oh, yeah Steve, I've used that stuff before when doing brakes on cars... I didn't even think about using it on my bike.
...

So ... what did you think of those cross-drilled brake lines?








(I'll bet he was really talking about the grease.)
.

[KiwiGS]

This was my fav review of the x drilled lines
"My wife likes to drive REALLY fast. So, I figured she would need the best stopping power available! "
Cheers

[bwringer]

Which bike is this?

The early brakes with the round puck pads are notorious squeakers. Try all the tips above.

[Odinist]

Which bike is this?

The early brakes with the round puck pads are notorious squeakers. Try all the tips above.

It's an 81 550L, square pads. =)