Shimano SLX disc brakes making a noise

[Johan_Kleynhans]

I don't know if I should be concerned. Bought myself a Gaint Anthem with SLX brakes.

 

The front brakes start making a noise when I go round a corner or when I use the brake. It does that for a minute or so then the noise go away.

 

When I touch the brake when it makes the noise it stops but when I release the lever the noise is back.

 

Apologies if it has been discussed before.

 

Thanks

 

Johan

[Dubbin]

This works for me. Just check that brake pads are not worn, and that disks are clean.

[Mamil]

What kind of noise?

[Ampandy]

Align the calipers properly. Should have a clearance thats equal both sides of the disc.

[Dubbin]

Align the calipers properly. Should have a clearance thats equal both sides of the disc.

I think Ampandy has a point here.  I missed the bit about noise when cornering. Check clearance also. I recently complained about a noise from my rear wheel. Turned out the alignment of my rear calipers was out and I had a bit of rotor rub when going uphill due to frame flexing from increased torque.

[Runbikeswim]

When this happens to me I slightly loosen the calipers, squeeze brake, hold it it, tighten calipers and release... calipers aligned and noise gone.

 

 

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[BaGearA]

When this happens to me I slightly loosen the calipers, squeeze brake, hold it it, tighten calipers and release... calipers aligned and noise gone.

 

 

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I have tried this and in theory it should work every time but if you rotor has even the slightest bend in it ; it won't work.

 

So I just take a little more time and align them by eye , works everytime.

[BenReaper]

When this happens to me I slightly loosen the calipers, squeeze brake, hold it it, tighten calipers and release... calipers aligned and noise gone.

 

 

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I have tried this and in theory it should work every time but if you rotor has even the slightest bend in it ; it won't work.

 

So I just take a little more time and align them by eye , works everytime.

In theory the method mentioned by RoboJedi should work but for some reason never does.

 

Like BaGearA recommended you can align them better by sight. By looking at the caliper from the top, you can adjust the gaps between the pads and rotor.

 

Also check that your scewer is propperly tightened as a loose scewer can cause flex in the wheel that can lead to the rotor rubbing against the pads.

[HowardSteele]

Besides all the good advise given here 

do a Search for Noisy brakes in the forums...all the tips have been listed 

[David Marshall]

You can get a disc brake gap measurer which is handy and not expensive (Birzman call theirs a clam).

 

If you have a problem when using RoboJedi's method try spinning the wheel before applying the brake - gently.  When the wheel has stopped squeeze the brake tight and re fix the caliper.  Don't over tighten the caliper bolts.  High tensile steel in aluminium - guess which will strip first!

[Ampandy]

What I find works well but is a bit more time consuming is to push the pistons back properly, align the caliper then apply brake to close the gap slightly. Re check alignment and all sorted out. Make sure the mounting bolts have washers between bolt head and caliper mounting ear.

[Sparky and the Warden]

One thing no one has mentioned (maybe I've got two left hands) is never ever ever ever try do fine adjustments while the wheel is turning... I had an irritating very slight noise and well frustration and lack of a beer got the better of my judgement... those rotors become guillotines and this has happened to me not once not twice but THREE times! (the universe may be telling me something I just cant hear it)

[Christofison]

In theory the method mentioned by RoboJedi should work but for some reason never does.

 

Like BaGearA recommended you can align them better by sight. By looking at the caliper from the top, you can adjust the gaps between the pads and rotor.

 

Also check that your scewer is propperly tightened as a loose scewer can cause flex in the wheel that can lead to the rotor rubbing against the pads.

I think you're the only one on the right track here regarding the skewer. Except I'm assuming it's a newer Anthem with a through axle. Check for play in the front wheel. You probably need to tighten the threaded mounting cups in either side of the front hub.

 

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[PieterJvR]

What I find works well but is a bit more time consuming is to push the pistons back properly, align the caliper then apply brake to close the gap slightly. Re check alignment and all sorted out. Make sure the mounting bolts have washers between bolt head and caliper mounting ear.

 +1 on ^^^^ this.  Little bit more time consuming, but works - every time I have had to re-align the calipers, I had to first push the pistons back, then adjust the caliper by eye to get the gap between pad and rotor right.  

 

First few times I tried the method of just loosening the caliper pulling the brake lever and tightening again - but when spinning the wheel you could still hear the rotor rubbing the pad.

[Johan_Kleynhans]

Thanks everybody. I will check them carefully this weekend. Maybe I should take it back to the LBS as the bike is 2 months old.

 

I just did not want to waste my free service on something like this. Maybe I can pursuade them this is seperate from the service.

[BaGearA]

One thing no one has mentioned (maybe I've got two left hands) is never ever ever ever try do fine adjustments while the wheel is turning... I had an irritating very slight noise and well frustration and lack of a beer got the better of my judgement... those rotors become guillotines and this has happened to me not once not twice but THREE times! (the universe may be telling me something I just cant hear it)

Also very nearly lost the front of my index finger like this , hurts like F*CK !