squeaky brakes?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
often dust build up, but can also be influenced by rider's style, the pads can become glazed and more likely to squeak if the brakes are 'dragged' while the bike is ridden.
the squeal is caused by the pads vibrating, coating the backside with an 'anti-squeak" such as hi temp RTV silicone can dampen these vibrations, also chamfering the leading edge of the pads and deglazing, by sanding the surface lightly
start with cleaning the dust out of the caliper area, do not use a pressure washer!
there are other pads available, in short, hard compounds last long but may squeal, soft compounds are quieter but don't last long.
I have really good results with the stock pads
mike
the squeal is caused by the pads vibrating, coating the backside with an 'anti-squeak" such as hi temp RTV silicone can dampen these vibrations, also chamfering the leading edge of the pads and deglazing, by sanding the surface lightly
start with cleaning the dust out of the caliper area, do not use a pressure washer!
there are other pads available, in short, hard compounds last long but may squeal, soft compounds are quieter but don't last long.
I have really good results with the stock pads
mike
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
Squeaky when braking or just rolling? I had a front brake squeak when rolling. I pulled the pads and chamfered the leading edges with a file and reinstalled the pads. It took care of the problem. Another solution is to clean the caliper and make sure that the anti-rattle spring is free floating and not hung up with brake dust.
Last edited by soos; Jul 26, 2011 at 09:19 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
often dust build up, but can also be influenced by rider's style, the pads can become glazed and more likely to squeak if the brakes are 'dragged' while the bike is ridden.
the squeal is caused by the pads vibrating, coating the backside with an 'anti-squeak" such as hi temp RTV silicone can dampen these vibrations, also chamfering the leading edge of the pads and deglazing, by sanding the surface lightly
start with cleaning the dust out of the caliper area, do not use a pressure washer!
there are other pads available, in short, hard compounds last long but may squeal, soft compounds are quieter but don't last long.
I have really good results with the stock pads
mike
the squeal is caused by the pads vibrating, coating the backside with an 'anti-squeak" such as hi temp RTV silicone can dampen these vibrations, also chamfering the leading edge of the pads and deglazing, by sanding the surface lightly
start with cleaning the dust out of the caliper area, do not use a pressure washer!
there are other pads available, in short, hard compounds last long but may squeal, soft compounds are quieter but don't last long.
I have really good results with the stock pads
mike
after every ride I blow out the calipers and then wash bike (if not every ride it's every other)
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
Squeaky when braking or just rolling? I had a front brake squeak when rolling. I pulled the pads and chamfered the leading edges with a file and reinstalled the pads. It took care of the problem. Another solution is to clean the caliper and make sure that the anti-rattle spring is free floating and not hung up with brake dust.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
Seems like I read somewhere that you can reverse the rotors and get rid of the squeal (squeak).
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
Squeaky when braking or just rolling? I had a front brake squeak when rolling. I pulled the pads and chamfered the leading edges with a file and reinstalled the pads. It took care of the problem. Another solution is to clean the caliper and make sure that the anti-rattle spring is free floating and not hung up with brake dust.