Noisy disc brakes?
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, Andy Terry
Noisy disc brakes?
It’s a fairly common problem I know, but I have tried everything to stop the dam things from squealing and whining on my MTB. My efforts so far, tried three different types of pads, sintered, Kevlar and resin, cleaned discs with very fine wet and dry and then wiped down with brake cleaner. Even replaced the discs for brand new ones. Re-centred the calipers so many times I’m thinking of replacing the Allen screws for wing nuts now!
Tried boiling/steaming the old brake pads, even tried holding them over a gas flame to burn of any possible contamination, to no avail
But no matter what I try or do, the results are always the same. It’s okay for a few miles then back comes the squealing noise under braking, wet or dry conditions and not even harsh braking for that matter. Plus, its not like it’s a cheap brake set either, it Shimano XTR.
I’ll be honest, I have no idea what I could possibly try next. What I find strange, and I am sure that there must be a clue here, but for years I had used sintered pads and did not have any issues what so ever. But even with new pads and discs, the problem returns in a very short space of time?
And it’s for this very reason that puts me off buying a road bike with discs
Tried boiling/steaming the old brake pads, even tried holding them over a gas flame to burn of any possible contamination, to no avail
But no matter what I try or do, the results are always the same. It’s okay for a few miles then back comes the squealing noise under braking, wet or dry conditions and not even harsh braking for that matter. Plus, its not like it’s a cheap brake set either, it Shimano XTR.
I’ll be honest, I have no idea what I could possibly try next. What I find strange, and I am sure that there must be a clue here, but for years I had used sintered pads and did not have any issues what so ever. But even with new pads and discs, the problem returns in a very short space of time?
And it’s for this very reason that puts me off buying a road bike with discs
"You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
- Andy Terry
- Posts: 903
- Joined: 20 Nov 2006 14:27
- Real Name:
- Location: Bromsgrove, Worcs
- Philip Whiteman
- Posts: 2045
- Joined: 19 Nov 2006 16:17
- Real Name:
- Location: Drayton, Worcestershire
Have you tried wearing ear plugs or placing a woolly muffler around your brakes?
More seriously though, I have been told about people oiling their brakes to reduce this squeal. Obviously not a sensible idea.
More seriously though, I have been told about people oiling their brakes to reduce this squeal. Obviously not a sensible idea.
Last edited by Philip Whiteman on 15 Jan 2016 10:48, edited 1 time in total.
I'm not getting too much squeakiness with SwissStop organic pads. I haven't tried sintered yet, waiting to wear the current organic set out. They occasionally squeak a bit after the bike's had a clean and I've wondered if it's due to WD40 residue on the discs. My guess is that you clean your bikes more often than I and possibly that you're more liberal with the WD40?
Eat cake before you're hungry
I'm a Mr Sheen man myself when it comes to cleaning frames to be honest, and I always drape a cloth over the discs before spraying anything.CakeStop wrote: ..... I and possibly that you're more liberal with the WD40?
But that said, while I have been conducting the anti squeal tests the bike hasn't been cleaned which rules out any possible contamination issues
"You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
It's normally caused by vibration from the back of the pads the same as vehicles. A thin smear of copper grease on the back of the pads where they contact the pistons normally cures brake squeal.
The cause isn't normally the contact surface between pad and rotor so boiling cleaning etc will have no effect.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine ... grease-20g
The cause isn't normally the contact surface between pad and rotor so boiling cleaning etc will have no effect.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine ... grease-20g
Nothing compares with the simple pleasure of a bike ride!
Good tip, hadn't thought of that Gaz and l already have some copper grease. Off to the garage it is then...GaryK wrote:It's normally caused by vibration from the back of the pads the same as vehicles. A thin smear of copper grease on the back of the pads where they contact the pistons normally cures brake squeal.
The cause isn't normally the contact surface between pad and rotor so boiling cleaning etc will have no effect.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine ... grease-20g
"You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
Yep done that countless times, even tried the two business card trick. Okay for a while and back it comes....grrrrrdweben wrote:Whenever I get this realigning the calipers always sorts it.
"You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"