Squeaky Brakes - HELP

[Caerus]

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?

Warm or cold weather makes no difference, when hot or cold makes no difference either, but there is a point when I pull my levers and they don't feel smooth if want of an explanation, its kind of hard to describe the sound and feeling the brakes make when I'm braking hard. The squeal at the slightest of pulls on the lever.

 

On a side note, could these still be salvageable?

 

 

Edited September 17, 2013 by Caerus

[alexwc46]

I had the same problem with my xtr brakes. Changed to resin pads and haven't had the problem again. The front ones only squeal a little when they are cold but as soon as they get a bit of heat into them they are 100%

Edited September 17, 2013 by alexwc46

[Johan Bornman]

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

 

Your discs are glazed. Big time. Sand the hell out of them. Pads are glazed too but I can see that they are concave. Probably from incorrect sanding technique.

 

What I suggest is that you put a fresh piece of 150grit sandpaper on a flat surface and then with light pressure, move the pads over it in a figure 8 route. This will prevent the boat shape that you have now. Usually it only require ten seconds of light sanding. They will have a matte finish. That's what you want.

 

Fit and bed in according to other posts.

[arendoog]

My brakes squeal every time they are cold or very hot Who cares!, they slow me down

[Bobbo_SA]

Have you checked your chainring bolts? [runs, ducks and hides...]

[Caerus]

Have you checked your chainring bolts? [runs, ducks and hides...]

Yip, chainring bolts are all fine.

 

Sanded the rotor last night with some 100 grit I had for about half an hour each side and will see how they go today. Will still sand them further once I'm at work.

[nickc]

Yip, chainring bolts are all fine.

 

Sanded the rotor last night with some 100 grit I had for about half an hour each side and will see how they go today. Will still sand them further once I'm at work.

 

A juddering or vibration or strange grinding noise could also be a result of glazed disks. Try them after sanding and let us know.

[Ham]

I had the same with my XT brakes. Gave the rotors a sand, put the pads in the oven at the highest temp for 30mins and then sanded them too. Worked like a bomb.

 

Then it kept coming back on the front. I found that the front brake was leaking a tiny amount of brake fluid on the disc. Therefore contaminating the whole lot all over again. It was not obvious and I had to look real carefully to see it. This may be your problem, go have a close look at those calipers if the problem persists. Especially at the bleed nipple.

 

Good luck. Hope you get it sorted.

[Goblin]

XT no doubts, fit and forget.

Avids work fine but sing, they have more personality than someone with Tourette's.

[Caerus]

I had the same with my XT brakes. Gave the rotors a sand, put the pads in the oven at the highest temp for 30mins and then sanded them too. Worked like a bomb.

 

Then it kept coming back on the front. I found that the front brake was leaking a tiny amount of brake fluid on the disc. Therefore contaminating the whole lot all over again. It was not obvious and I had to look real carefully to see it. This may be your problem, go have a close look at those calipers if the problem persists. Especially at the bleed nipple.

 

Good luck. Hope you get it sorted.

I've got a feeling that this is what is happening with my brakes, as it's only the front one that does this. I guess another visit to the bike shop is in order. I'll have a look myself later as well, were you able to sort the problem out yourself?

[MrJacques]

Couldn't find the thread about bedding them in, but from what I've heard a few sprints and hard stops is the proper way?

[Caerus]

Couldn't find the thread about bedding them in, but from what I've heard a few sprints and hard stops is the proper way?

That's what I also read in the link on this thread, best to do the hard stop then just slowly holding the brake lever in.

[Ham]

I've got a feeling that this is what is happening with my brakes, as it's only the front one that does this. I guess another visit to the bike shop is in order. I'll have a look myself later as well, were you able to sort the problem out yourself?

 

yep, I just nipped the bleed nipple a little tighter and problem solved.

[Caerus]

yep, I just nipped the bleed nipple a little tighter and problem solved.

I've had a look and there doesn't appear to be any fluid around the nipple, I'll give it a bit of a tweak Hopefully the sanding down of the rotor and the new pads I've put on will make this terrible squeaky brake affliction go away.

[Caerus]

All sorted Thank goodness, no more brakes squealing like a banshee. I will still have to bed them in first (using the correct method this time.) No more squelchy brakes either, I think they will need to be bled, which I will do on the weekend with my new bleed kit which arrives tomorrow.

[Ham]

All sorted Thank goodness, no more brakes squealing like a banshee. I will still have to bed them in first (using the correct method this time.) No more squelchy brakes either, I think they will need to be bled, which I will do on the weekend with my new bleed kit which arrives tomorrow.

 

There you go. Well done. Just be careful not to spill that fluid when you bleed the brakes else its back to square one.