ebenvn Posted January 10, 2012 Share Hi guys, My front brake doesnt "bite" when I brake... It only slows down gradually. It also squeals when braking. I had a quick look at the pads and they seem fine. What can it be? Tx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoman Posted January 10, 2012 Share Hi guys, My front brake doesnt "bite" when I brake... It only slows down gradually. It also squeals when braking. I had a quick look at the pads and they seem fine. What can it be? Tx Are they new brakes? Or have you had some work done on the wheel? Sometimes when I have done the front wheel bearings and a bit of grease gets on the disc it can take several stops before the brake pads feel as though they are doing there job. You can also check the pads for glazing if they have had some use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeTurbo Posted January 10, 2012 Share It does sound like there's grease or something slippery like silcon on the wheel. I find it useful to rub them down ocassionally with thinners (carefully, not getting it on the tyre). Also check the toe-in on the pads - put a sheet of paper behind the pad when you tighten the bolt, so the front of the pad touches the wheel a smidgeon before the rear of the pad. That should cure any squeal. Edit: Just saw the Shimano XTR mountain bike bit now ... silly me. I have a roadie's one-track (ironic, that) mind and discount that anyone else rides anything different. Edited January 10, 2012 by LeTurbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenvn Posted January 10, 2012 Share They aren't new, and there wasnt any changes. Just one day stopped working 100%. I will try and clean the rotor (or try another rotor) and see if that helps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJacques Posted January 10, 2012 Share Perfect timing for Tech Tuesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenvn Posted January 10, 2012 Share Perfect timing for Tech Tuesday Awesome! Thx, will try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guttersnipe Posted January 11, 2012 Share I suspect you won't get much joy out the procedure Jacquers has linked to - that's designed to cut out squealing, not loss of power.You have both symptoms, which sounds to my crap home mechanic's ear like a classic case of rotor/pad contamination - you probably got some oil or grease on the rotor which will have gotten into the pads. Cleaning the rotor won't fix it, because the pad compound is all gunked up, and keeps depositing new muck at its interface with the rotor.The quick and easy fix is to clean the rotor, and install new pads.The cheaper, messier, fix for sintered pads is to pull them out and heat them up for a few minutes on a hotplate. Use an old frying pan, get it nice and warm, and put the pads in with the working surface facing up. They'll start to smoke and smell after a minute or two - take them off the heat when the smoke stops, 2 to 3 minutes later. I tried this recently on holiday, after a joburg shop delivered my new bike with precisely the symptoms you describe the day before I flew out of the country with it. Worked a treat.Sanding the pads down probably won't work, because the oil can work its way all the way through the compound. Edited January 11, 2012 by pistadex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cav' Posted January 12, 2012 Share First time i've heard of cooking your brakepads LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Deon) Posted January 12, 2012 Share It does sound like there's grease or something slippery like silcon on the wheel. I find it useful to rub them down ocassionally with thinners (carefully, not getting it on the tyre). Also check the toe-in on the pads - put a sheet of paper behind the pad when you tighten the bolt, so the front of the pad touches the wheel a smidgeon before the rear of the pad. That should cure any squeal. Edit: Just saw the Shimano XTR mountain bike bit now ... silly me. I have a roadie's one-track (ironic, that) mind and discount that anyone else rides anything different. Ha ha, that sux. All those words, for naught! Hmm, thinners on the disc will help though, takes off any oil based contamination, just be sure to wash the disk when done. I have sometimes had a bit of luck with a light sanding of the pads, It has worked on occasion taking glazing off.. worth a try. Edited January 12, 2012 by Pain or Shine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sias Posted February 2, 2012 Share My brand new XTR brakes do exactly the same, front and rear! Changed discs and pads (all brand new) and still no luck. I heard and read that the XTR brake system is one of the best there is, but at this stage, I'm not convinced. Also, I have to pull the lever right up to the handlebar before I even start to slow down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geecee Posted February 2, 2012 Share My brand new XTR brakes do exactly the same, front and rear! Changed discs and pads (all brand new) and still no luck. I heard and read that the XTR brake system is one of the best there is, but at this stage, I'm not convinced. Also, I have to pull the lever right up to the handlebar before I even start to slow down. sounds like you need to check the fluid levelsand run your brake pads in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Crispy Posted February 2, 2012 Share Hi guys, My front brake doesnt "bite" when I brake... It only slows down gradually. It also squeals when braking. I had a quick look at the pads and they seem fine. What can it be? TxSo put new teeth in (resin pads) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawdust Posted February 2, 2012 Share I tried cleaning with alchohol and sanding paper etc. At the end what worked on my metallic pads was to heat them gently over a gas flame until the smoking stopped. They work fine now. You still have to remove the glazed surface with some fine sanding paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenvn Posted February 2, 2012 Share I replaced the pads and switched to my others wheels, and it seems to be a lot better. Will see if I put the originals on what happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divernick Posted February 2, 2012 Share I tried cleaning with alchohol and sanding paper etc. At the end what worked on my metallic pads was to heat them gently over a gas flame until the smoking stopped. They work fine now. You still have to remove the glazed surface with some fine sanding paper. What you did there was burn off any contaminants that were on the pads...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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