Thread started by new at 07.2.07 - 1:48 am

before i hurt more ears on tuesday's valley critial mass ride. whats the best way to eliminate my squeaky brakes. i toed the brakes today & it didnt help too much more. considering ive only had them for 4 days, will this just take time. never had new parts always been hand me down scrappers without this issue.

any other configuration or cleaning tips/tricks...

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try a little sandpapering to the pads, it might help.



FuzzBeast
07.2.07 - 3:18 am

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fuck em, make as much noise as you want. The cars will hear you better too.



Joe Borfo
07.2.07 - 9:07 am

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Man... was that you at the Rave ride? You're not kidding about it being loud. Just like Fuzz said... sandpaper the pads and getting all the gunk off the rims should work.

target="_blank">Bikeman's brakes squeal page

Or like Borfo said... it'll surely get you noticed when riding. See you at SFV critical mass.



digablesoul
07.2.07 - 9:23 am

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you could scream really loud to drown out the squeal

or you could not hit the brakes so much

and did you toe them the correct way?

or perhaps the pads you got will always squeal with the rims you have...

the options are endless



adrian
07.2.07 - 10:06 am

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clean ur rims (the braking surface) with simple green or something. then sand the pads a little down. if that doesn't work. try a little lube on the rim's braking surface. if that doesn't work. just buy new pads!!! they're CHEAP!



t.bone
07.2.07 - 12:24 pm

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I think lube on the braking surface is a really bad idea. Clean pads and rims, combined with proper clearance and toe-in should do it. There are plenty of sources at your local bike shop, internet or public library that should help get the problem solved. Of course there are always the bike-kitchen/oven/rowaves that offer help.



420LaHaRR
07.2.07 - 1:40 pm

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I thought lube on the brake surface was a bad idea too. But if you look at the link above, even this person recommends oil on the brake surface.

From the page above,
"In worst-case squeal problems getting the pad dirty actually helps. I've used soda, grape jelly, and even oil, in small quantities on the rim to make the brakes shut-up. I've also had all these methods make things worse or just make a mess. In a few cases, reverse toe of the brakes actually helped too. Don't ask me why. ."

What seems to work for me is to lightly steel wool the rims at the contact point and filing the surface of the brake pads as was stated.



User1
07.2.07 - 2:01 pm

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You might have someone check for too-loose cone bearings, no shit.

I bought a used hybrid bike, now converted to an Xtracycle, whose front brakes always squealed like hell. Front wheel always was a little sloppy too, but the Quick Release axle was really really really tight, so wtf, just ride it.

Then I take off the front wheel and found the previous owner had tightened the QR so friggin' tight they had stripped the m'fing threads on the skewer -- see picture. OK, a ride to the bike store to get a new QR skewer, put it in the wheel and geez, it feels a little sloppy. Was it always like that? Maybe, I don't remember, but now it bugs me 'cause I just spent some money on a new skewer assembly. OK, a ride back to the bike store, this time with the whole wheel with the new QR skewer in it. Show Mike at the bike store and he, a man of few words, grumbles "Loose cones". Gives it to his mechanic Javier. Javier tightens the cone bearings using some VERY thin wrenches and an experienced touch. Lets me check it. No charge!

Back home, put the wheel back in the bike, now it rides as easily as it ever did -- but NO MO BRAKE SQUEAL!

So it seems if you have enough mechanical slop in your wheel bearings, your brakes COULD squeal. Mine did anyway. Over-tightening the QR skewer won't help you, but it may help the next owner (or his bike store guy) figure out what was really wrong.




OverTheHill
07.2.07 - 9:04 pm

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thanks for the tips, ill try some of these tomorrow before the ride. cross your fingers, or get ready to plug your ears.



new
07.3.07 - 12:41 am

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