Squeaky Brakes - HELP

[Caerus]

Since I have moved to Cape Town from Durban, I'm finding that my metal brake pads are getting contaminated on a regular basis, I never had this issue before but in the past 3 months I've had to replace my pads again from the noise they make.

 

I've tried anything and everything to sort this out but am getting nowhere with sanding or cleaning etc. I commute on this bike as well, but I can't afford to keep replacing pads this regularly because of contamination rather then wear on the pads.

 

I have just ordered a set of resin pads to give a go with and a new set of rotors(in case they are also contaminated) This is a costly exercise and as mentioned previously I cannot keep just forking out money.

 

Any suggestion on what I can do, or what pads are better then others to use?

[Johan Bornman]

I suggest you deglaze your discs. Take a rough emery paper - 60 grit - and with lots of elbow grease, sand the hell out of them until they have a satin, rather than shiny finish. Then start with new pads or sanded old pads. Do a standard break-in procedure. I have described the latter here extensively. I can't think of a single reason why the change of coastal cities would have anything to do with it unless the bergies piss on your wheels when you're not looking.

[Caerus]

I suggest you deglaze your discs. Take a rough emery paper - 60 grit - and with lots of elbow grease, sand the hell out of them until they have a satin, rather than shiny finish. Then start with new pads or sanded old pads. Do a standard break-in procedure. I have described the latter here extensively. I can't think of a single reason why the change of coastal cities would have anything to do with it unless the bergies piss on your wheels when you're not looking.

I've tried all of the above, and still not helping, could it be that it's not actually the pads or rotor causing this?

 

These pads have done very little mileage and I've already sanded them almost to nothing, but all to no avail. Very frustrating. I only started to have these problems since moving to Cape Town, but as you say, how should this effect anything. It could be that I'm commuting and riding more on the road then I was in Durban( trained mostly off-road), even then when I was training on the road, I never had this problem.

[MrJacques]

I'm facing the same issue, front and rear brake squealing like a banshee. A comment from somewhere else suggests it might be the alignment of the rotor / caliper.

[Johan Bornman]

Post a nice macro picture of the disc's surface. I wan to take a look. I'm convinced they are glazed.

[Cassie]

Boet, you haven't SEEN the air pollution here in Cape town!!! enough to make your brakes squeal!! :eek:

 

Seriously, the 1000's of bikers here uses the same brand etc. so why should your squeal, just because of a change of location?

 

I think it's something totally unrelated...and unique to the non-resin aspect??

Edited September 17, 2013 by Cassie

[nickc]

I've tried all of the above, and still not helping, could it be that it's not actually the pads or rotor causing this?

 

These pads have done very little mileage and I've already sanded them almost to nothing, but all to no avail. Very frustrating. I only started to have these problems since moving to Cape Town, but as you say, how should this effect anything. It could be that I'm commuting and riding more on the road then I was in Durban( trained mostly off-road), even then when I was training on the road, I never had this problem.

 

Do you get a vibration or shudder when they squeak or just a squeal. Does it get better worse when the brakes are hot or on a warm/cold day?

[Johan Bornman]

Your disc should look like this:

 

 

And definitely not like this:

 

Edited September 17, 2013 by Johan Bornman

[nickc]

Your disc should look like this:

 

 

And definitely not like this:

 

 

Johan, how deep are those scratches, deep enough to catch a finger nail on?

[Caerus]

Your disc should look like this:

 

 

And definitely not like this:

 

I'll take a pic for you now, let me just them off my bike. I didn't want to sand them to rough as I was worried this might lead to further contamination down the line with the discs being rough. SHould I sand them with only 60 grit or then work down the grades to get it fairly smooth again?

[Cassie]

Two weekend back I made the "mistake" of puring some contents of my water bottle (Energade!!) onto my front disc whilst riding - to get rid of some excessive mud! Bugger...did that thing glaze over??? instant squeal...I realized my error and found some water next to the trail and washed most off...but squeaking persisted until home...had to deglaze and voila!!

 

Bob's your uncle...

PS: resin pads....

Edited September 17, 2013 by Cassie

[Johan Bornman]

Johan, how deep are those scratches, deep enough to catch a finger nail on?

 

I take it you're talking about the second photo?

 

No, extremely shallow actually. Also their sides are nice and rounded. This disc is smooth as hell and hence it causes a slip/grip action at a rate (Hz) that's within the human ear's audible range.

[Johan Bornman]

I'll take a pic for you now, let me just them off my bike. I didn't want to sand them to rough as I was worried this might lead to further contamination down the line with the discs being rough. SHould I sand them with only 60 grit or then work down the grades to get it fairly smooth again?

 

No, you want them rough. Smooth is the enemy. Sand with 60 and leave it at that. It is hard work though, we do it on a belt sander here in the workshop.

[Cassie]

As I understand it the brake pads will deposit something on the disks that is essential for good grip....after that it will appear smooth again? I.e all the roughness filled in with brake pad resin...

[nickc]

I take it you're talking about the second photo?

 

No, extremely shallow actually. Also their sides are nice and rounded. This disc is smooth as hell and hence it causes a slip/grip action at a rate (Hz) that's within the human ear's audible range.

 

Okay - thanks.

[Caerus]

Looking at those pics and how rough they are, then prepare yourself for what I'm about to show you, guess it will need to be done on the belt sander tomorrow

 

I've also posted pics of the pads, I sanded these with 100 grit earlier and they sure didn't look like this. What could be causing them to get contaminated so quickly though? Is it from the daily commute, training or a possible leak of fluid as they seem to be a bit on the "softish" side when pulling the levers even though they are set to take very early. They were checked out by a bike shop recently and they didn't find any sign of possible leakage. I may be clutching at straws on the last point.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated