Front brakes squeaking
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Medina O-H-I-O
Front brakes squeaking
I replaced the front brakes pads (both sides) on my '14 Limited because the old ones were squeaking. They were about 1/2 worn with around 8k miles on them. Now after only about 50 miles the new ones are squeaking. What gives? The rotors look fine and not grooved. BTW the back pads were replaced about 1000 miles ago when I replaced the back tire and they don't squeak.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
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From: FL
Did you clean, service and grease your calipers / pistons? Sqeaking pads, more often than not, are caused by dirt and crap between the back of the pad and the piston. Flushing brake fluid is easily done while changing your pads too.
Check out the brembo brake maintenance guide at the site. http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage23.html
Check out the brembo brake maintenance guide at the site. http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage23.html
Last edited by CSMHOG; May 14, 2017 at 08:37 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 96
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From: hawaii
I replaced the front brakes pads (both sides) on my '14 Limited because the old ones were squeaking. They were about 1/2 worn with around 8k miles on them. Now after only about 50 miles the new ones are squeaking. What gives? The rotors look fine and not grooved. BTW the back pads were replaced about 1000 miles ago when I replaced the back tire and they don't squeak.
Aloha......Mike
Last edited by sirrat007; May 14, 2017 at 09:34 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Olean, NY
The front one on my RGS will sometimes squeak or squeal a little during the first few times I use it each ride and then it goes away. I've just gotten used to it.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Menifee, CA
Is the OP using stock, oem Harley brake pads?
In my experience among many motorcycles, brake problems begin with the use of non-oem pads.
My 2016 FLHTCU has almost 30k miles on it now. It still has the original fronts, and I recently replaced the original rears with oem HD pads. I've never had the slightest squeak or other noises from my brakes.
In fact, these are without question the best brakes I've ever found on any new touring type of motorcycle.
In my experience among many motorcycles, brake problems begin with the use of non-oem pads.
My 2016 FLHTCU has almost 30k miles on it now. It still has the original fronts, and I recently replaced the original rears with oem HD pads. I've never had the slightest squeak or other noises from my brakes.
In fact, these are without question the best brakes I've ever found on any new touring type of motorcycle.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: hawaii
Aloha.......Mike
Ultimate HDF Member
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From: Olean, NY
^ I guess feathering was the wrong way to put it. Riding the brakes I suppose, lightly braking for a long distance, getting them super hot rather than just using them in a normal stopping manner.
Squeal could also just be from the pads vibrating putting out a harmonic tone. Specific anti-squeal grease on the backside of the pad can cure it.
Squeal could also just be from the pads vibrating putting out a harmonic tone. Specific anti-squeal grease on the backside of the pad can cure it.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Take the pads off, scuff them good with some rough sand paper and do the same to the rotors with maybe less aggressive paper then clean them with brake clean. Make sure you have some brake lube or disk brake quiet on the back of the pad.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: SE Wisconsin
This is the way I would do it
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Medina O-H-I-O
Is the OP using stock, oem Harley brake pads?
In my experience among many motorcycles, brake problems begin with the use of non-oem pads.
My 2016 FLHTCU has almost 30k miles on it now. It still has the original fronts, and I recently replaced the original rears with oem HD pads. I've never had the slightest squeak or other noises from my brakes.
In fact, these are without question the best brakes I've ever found on any new touring type of motorcycle.
In my experience among many motorcycles, brake problems begin with the use of non-oem pads.
My 2016 FLHTCU has almost 30k miles on it now. It still has the original fronts, and I recently replaced the original rears with oem HD pads. I've never had the slightest squeak or other noises from my brakes.
In fact, these are without question the best brakes I've ever found on any new touring type of motorcycle.
I put HD oem pads on it. Thanks for the input.