Disc Brake Squeeling
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2005
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Disc Brake Squeeling
Hello All. I have a 2005 Ultra and my rear brake squeels terrible when warm. My front disc,s also make a much lesser squeel too. I had a 2001 Ultra and after the first brake replacment by the dealer, my front discs made terrible squeeling noises. I replaced those pads myself and to a lesser degree that noise remained!
My 2005 Ultra rear noise is terribly loud. I just ordered a new set of replacment disc pads and a new rotor. My bike has a extended warrantee, but dont wish to tie up the bike during riding season so I effect repairs myself.
My 2001 Ultra I replaced the spring hold down clip that supports the pads as a retrofit item. But the squeel noises continued. My 2005 is simply getting the entire rear setup replaced. Maybe someone has a good idea? Maybe brake squeel silencer on the pads prior to being installed? Sure would like these noises to disappear. Many thanks. Peter
My 2005 Ultra rear noise is terribly loud. I just ordered a new set of replacment disc pads and a new rotor. My bike has a extended warrantee, but dont wish to tie up the bike during riding season so I effect repairs myself.
My 2001 Ultra I replaced the spring hold down clip that supports the pads as a retrofit item. But the squeel noises continued. My 2005 is simply getting the entire rear setup replaced. Maybe someone has a good idea? Maybe brake squeel silencer on the pads prior to being installed? Sure would like these noises to disappear. Many thanks. Peter
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
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From:
RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
This topic has been discussed many times - you may want to do a search. I think one fellow actually replaced the screws and washers that secure the rotors. He found there was a harmonic vibration being setup on the front rotors and finally fixed it. My front brakes will sqeek a bit - if it gets bad, I use some crocus cloth on the rotors which helps for a while - eventually comes back. Guess I have learned to live with it. By modulating the pressure on the front brake, I can control it pretty well.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2005
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From:
RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
My rear brake has never squeaked, but my front brakes had been squeeking terribly ever since I bought
my Road Glide (used). I replaced the brake pads with no results. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I took
the front wheel off, couldn't find any obvious reasons for the squeaking, then it dawned on me. The wheel
spacers were on the wrong sides! I swapped the spacers, bolted the wheel back up and the squeaking is now
gone! Don't know if it would help you, but it's worth checking to make sure...
my Road Glide (used). I replaced the brake pads with no results. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, I took
the front wheel off, couldn't find any obvious reasons for the squeaking, then it dawned on me. The wheel
spacers were on the wrong sides! I swapped the spacers, bolted the wheel back up and the squeaking is now
gone! Don't know if it would help you, but it's worth checking to make sure...
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 198
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RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
Disc brake squeal is caused by the pads vibrating at a high frequency that emits an audible noise. The trick is to change the frequency of the vibration. Metalic pads like our machines use are particularily troublesome. The best thing I have found is a product made by Gunk called Disc Quiet. You apply it to the metal side of the pads (the back metal sides) per the instructions. This changes the frequency of the vibration to one that doesn't emit an audible sound. Nothing last forever though so depending on use it probably will need another application at some future time. I also use high temp brake grease on a shiny spot where the calipers touch the front forks.
Square Dude
Square Dude
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,213
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From: Cape Coral, Fl.
RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
Donno if this works but the email has turned some heads here when I mention it to several mechanics around here. This was an email I received from harleydrdave@harleydrdave.com
The only thing that seems to help is "burning" in the pads by
applying repeated hard stops to the point of lock up. I do that on all new
bikes on the set up road test. After that, if noise is still present you
can remove the pads and chamfer the edges by laying the pads on a flat belt
sander and resurface the pad. Last, and this seems to help a lot, is to
remove the wheel and reverse the rotors left to right and vice versa.
And last but not least use then latest H-D original pads.
applying repeated hard stops to the point of lock up. I do that on all new
bikes on the set up road test. After that, if noise is still present you
can remove the pads and chamfer the edges by laying the pads on a flat belt
sander and resurface the pad. Last, and this seems to help a lot, is to
remove the wheel and reverse the rotors left to right and vice versa.
And last but not least use then latest H-D original pads.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
ORIGINAL: Araba Shriner
Donno if this works but the email has turned some heads here when I mention it to several mechanics around here. This was an email I received from harleydrdave@harleydrdave.com
Donno if this works but the email has turned some heads here when I mention it to several mechanics around here. This was an email I received from harleydrdave@harleydrdave.com
The only thing that seems to help is "burning" in the pads by
applying repeated hard stops to the point of lock up. I do that on all new
bikes on the set up road test. After that, if noise is still present you
can remove the pads and chamfer the edges by laying the pads on a flat belt
sander and resurface the pad. Last, and this seems to help a lot, is to
remove the wheel and reverse the rotors left to right and vice versa.
And last but not least use then latest H-D original pads.
applying repeated hard stops to the point of lock up. I do that on all new
bikes on the set up road test. After that, if noise is still present you
can remove the pads and chamfer the edges by laying the pads on a flat belt
sander and resurface the pad. Last, and this seems to help a lot, is to
remove the wheel and reverse the rotors left to right and vice versa.
And last but not least use then latest H-D original pads.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2005
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RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
HELLO,
got some good ideas. But I tried most of them. Crocus cloth and easy sanding of the rear disc made the loud squeeking go away briefly. I flat sanded the disc pads and that too helped but briefly. Another mechanic suggested taking a hacksaw and partially cutting a diagonal cut in the disc pad surface. Its an interesting theory as I have found similiar cuts in automotive pads. Installing or switching hardware for the rotor has some merit. Application of some backing coating or silicone grease works on cars. Maybe on my bike? My rear brake is horribly loud. Mostly at coming to a halt. Hard application of the rear brake and the squeel disappears. I have a new rotor and disc pads from Harley. I,ll try the disc quiet coating and replace the mounting hardware for the disc as a starter. Its gotten so bad I try not to use the rear brake as I approach a near stop. To be continued.. thanks, Pete
got some good ideas. But I tried most of them. Crocus cloth and easy sanding of the rear disc made the loud squeeking go away briefly. I flat sanded the disc pads and that too helped but briefly. Another mechanic suggested taking a hacksaw and partially cutting a diagonal cut in the disc pad surface. Its an interesting theory as I have found similiar cuts in automotive pads. Installing or switching hardware for the rotor has some merit. Application of some backing coating or silicone grease works on cars. Maybe on my bike? My rear brake is horribly loud. Mostly at coming to a halt. Hard application of the rear brake and the squeel disappears. I have a new rotor and disc pads from Harley. I,ll try the disc quiet coating and replace the mounting hardware for the disc as a starter. Its gotten so bad I try not to use the rear brake as I approach a near stop. To be continued.. thanks, Pete
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
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From:
RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
Mine and a friends make noise also. He cured his noise by switching over to the floating rotor set up in the accessory catalog. Pricey but it worked. I'm saving my spare change for this one.
Joe
Joe
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Thread Starter
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RE: Disc Brake Squeeling
Hello Again. I,ve heard of champfering the edges of the pads. On my 2001 Ultra I did just that. I also installed a retrofit spring holddown for the disc pads. In either case the squeel didnt go away. Well the rear brake on my 2005 is now making a horribly loud squeel and its got to go now. I now have a new rotor and disc pads, all HD origional parts. I will remove the rotor from the hub. I will replace the hardware. I will champfer the pads and quite possibly cut a radial diagonal line thru the pad. I was told thats works to reduce harmonics sometimes. I will also apply a disc quiet to the metal backside of the pads prior to installation. Its got to improve something?? My tire isnt 1/2 worn and maybe till its worn a bit more I,ll tolerate the noise? Then maybe not. I was lucky to find a Ebay auction for brand new 2005 FLHT mag wheels and tires and the disc switch and tire replacment will be easy. Still open for comments. Thanks all. Peter from NJ
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