I have a very loud brake squeal and would like to know if this is a common problem or perhaps something to do with certain years? Any how, I have it at BOTH front & back! Any ideas on a fix?

 

This might help after you clean the pistons etc.



SERVICE BULLETIN
M-1192A July 17, 2006
SWAPPING AND ALIGNING FIXED DUAL DISCS
®
Purpose
It has recently been determined that swapping and aligning
the front brake discs on motorcycles having fixed dual disc
brakes can significantly reduce brake squeal.
Therefore, effective June 26, 2006, the front brake discs will
be swapped and aligned on all production motorcycles
having fixed dual disc brakes. The running change moves the
former left side brake disc stamped P/N 44156-00 LEFT to
the right side of the hub, and the former right side brake disc
stamped P/N 44136-00 RIGHT to the left side of the hub. The
vent holes are then aligned before the discs are fastened to
the hub.
Also, in the interest of promoting customer satisfaction,
Harley-Davidson will swap and align the front brake discs on
affected motorcycles under warranty, but
only
when
responding to customer complaints of excessive brake
squeal. See REQUIRED DEALER ACTION.
Motorcycles Affected
All 2000-2006 model motorcycles, as well as those 2007
models built before June 26, 2006, having fixed dual disc
brakes that exhibit excessive front brake squeal.
Required Dealer Action
NOTE
Obtain the applicable service manual for all removal and
installation instructions.
1. Take note of the brake disc stampings. If left side brake
disc is stamped P/N 44156-00 LEFT and right side brake
disc is stamped P/N 44136-00 RIGHT, then swap the
brake discs as follows:
NOTE
Another way to determine whether the brake discs have been
swapped is to look at any of the five slots. Note that one end
of the slot is bulb shaped and is more fully round than the
other. On wheels where the brake discs have
NOT
been
swapped, the bulb shape is on the trailing end of the slot
when referencing the direction of wheel rotation. On wheels
where the brake discs have been swapped, the bulb shape is
on the leading end of the slot. See Figure 1 and Table 1.
Figure 1. Note Bulb Shaped End of Slot
(Left Side Brake Disc Shown)
Table 1. Front Brake Discs
Not Swapped
Early Style
Swapped
Late Style
Left
side brake disc stamped
P/N 44156-00 LEFT
Left
side brake disc stamped
P/N 44136-00 RIGHT
Right
side brake disc stamped
P/N 44136-00 RIGHT
Right
side brake disc stamped
P/N 44156-00 LEFT
Referencing direction of wheel rotation, bulb shaped end of slot is:
TRAILING LEADING
Not Swapped
Swapped
Direction
of Rotation
f2644x2x
IMPORTANT NOTE
In the interest of preserving customer safety and satisfaction, always check for outstanding recalls whenever any motorcycle is brought into your
dealership for either maintenance or service.
©2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY
ROUTING SERVICE
MANAGER
SALES
MANAGER
PARTS
MANAGER
LEAD
TECHNICIAN
TECHNICIAN
NO.1
TECHNICIAN
NO. 2
TECHNICIAN
NO. 3
TECHNICIAN
NO. 4
RETURN
THIS TO
INITIAL HERE
M-1192A 2 of 2
a. Remove the front wheel. Remove both brake discs
from hub.
b. Place the inboard sides of the brake discs together.
Be sure the stampings (minimum thickness, part
number and location) on both brake discs are on the
outboard side.
c. Rotate discs as necessary until all vent holes are in
alignment. Holding brake discs aligned, use a magic
marker or paint pen to make a line across the edge
of both brake discs.
NOTE
Even if the brake disc locations are swapped, the rider will not
experience a reduction in brake noise unless the brake discs
are aligned.
d. Keeping the paint marks aligned, install brake discs
to hub using
new
screws. Be sure that the former
left side brake disc stamped P/N 44156-00 LEFT is
installed on the right side of the hub (valve stem
side), and the former right side brake disc stamped
P/N 44136-00 RIGHT is installed on the left side of
the hub.
e. Verify that the paint marks on the edges of the brake
discs are still aligned. A long Phillips screwdriver or
straight piece of drill rod can be inserted straight
through the vent holes of both the left and right
brake discs when correctly installed. See Figure 2.
NOTE
If brake noise exists on a motorcycle where the brake discs
have already been swapped, whether at the production or
dealer level, swapping the brake disc locations a second time
will have no beneficial effect. Please remember that Harley-
Davidson uses the best brake pad friction material available
and that it is completely normal to experience some brake
noise.
2. If damage or wear requires replacement of a brake disc,
or if performing any service that requires removal of a
brake disc, see step 1 to determine if the brake discs
have already been swapped. If the brake disc locations
have
not
been swapped, then proceed as follows:
●
Right side: always using
new
screws, move the left
side brake disc to the right side of the hub and install
a
new
brake disc (P/N 44136-00) on the left side. Be
sure that brake discs are properly aligned.
●
Left side: always using
new
screws, move the right
side brake disc to the left side of the hub and install
a
new
brake disc (P/N 44156-00) on the right side.
Be sure that brake discs are properly aligned.
NOTE
Wheel hubs are directional due to bearing installation and
should not be reversed. Always be sure that the valve stem is
on the right side of the hub after installation.
Credit Procedure
Complete a separate warranty claim for each vehicle
serviced. Reference Service Bulletin M-1192A in the
“Comments” or “Notes” section and be sure to include the VIN
of the vehicle on which the service was performed. Fill in the
rest of the claim as follows:
Upon receipt of the properly completed claim, you will receive
the labor credit shown above.
Figure

 

Have you had the wheels off lately for any reason - new wheels, new tires, etc ? Happened to my Heritage recently when I had new tires put on - nasty squeal on the front one. Took it back to the shop that installed the tires, and tech said it was "harmonic vibration", caused by pads and rotors not lining back up in exact same grooves as they were before the wheels were removed. He just ran some soapy water on them, then blew out with air hose and took out for test ride and got on the brakes hard a few times, and the squeal was completely gone and has not returned. Worth a shot.

 

[quote=88b;5454200]This might help after you clean the pistons etc.



Well this will give me something to do this weekend! Thanks for the info.

 

Got the same problem with my 09 King? Not real bad, but they do squeal a little now & then? Bike's brand new???

 

My 08 rear brake still squeals now and then, I just don't worry about it.

 

My rear brake on my 09 SG squealed, at the 1000 mile service the shop fixed it, But it only lasted for approx 3 weeks. Have begun to learn to ignore it! Not much help I know but good luck. I may try the soap and drying myself. Safe rides!

 

the 1997 sportster i had did that. the brakes were squealing. i took bike in to indy shop for new tires and brakes both front and rear. brakes still squealing after new pads put on. after i put some miles on them they got intermitant but still did it at low speeds and sometimes when braking unless i mashed them kind of hard. they were ceramic pads too. it was annoying to say the least. i no longer have the sportster.

 

My front brakes on my 05 RG sqeal like a SOB!. I had it in the shop for this already and it is there again for this. When I come to a stop you can hear it all over the neighborhood. They said they will "de-glaze" them this time. I am gonna show them the above TSB and tell them to do it under my extended warranty.

 

I have an '05 RG too and had the same problem. In fact it started about 1/4 of the way through a 3 day ride with friends. Couldn't wait to get it home and in the shop. I had the dealer do pretty much what was posted above by the dealer. I stopped and havn't had the problem since.