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cajunmtbiker
05-07-2002, 12:14 PM
I have 2002 shimano xt v-brakes. I get a nasty howl from the
front brakes when applied. The back is super quiet. Tried stock pads, kool stops pads, tried adjusting, etc. If anyone has had this problem or can give me some tips I'd appreciate it.
BikeGeek
05-07-2002, 12:31 PM
Originally posted by cajunmtbiker
I have 2002 shimano xt v-brakes. I get a nasty howl from the
front brakes when applied. The back is super quiet. Tried stock pads, kool stops pads, tried adjusting, etc. If anyone has had this problem or can give me some tips I'd appreciate it.

That's just part of owning XT V's. Everyone that I know with XT v-brakes has this problem. I replaced mine with Avid Arch Rivals. No more howl. A friend of mine did something with rubberbands around the linkage thing. I'm not sure exactly what he did, but the howling stopped.

Sometimes toeing them in works for a while.
KrusteeButt
05-07-2002, 12:36 PM
Toeing only reduced the howl a little bit for me. So I put those brake booster arches on there...that stopped the howling for a while, but it's back now. Shops have all pretty much agreed that's just the way it goes. Someone recommended using the arches and LX pads...I think I'll just eventually switch to Avids.
Phreaddy
05-15-2002, 11:25 AM
I've had the same two pairs of XT Vs since 1996, the year they came out. Never a squeak.
spokedwheel
05-15-2002, 11:32 AM
Try this...

Disconnect the noodle and grab the top of one of the individual brake arms, now push it back and forward. your trying to feel for play in the linkage. Then do the same to the other arm, Shimano makes an upgrade kit for brakes that have excesive play. This may help... made mine and several others stop squealing for me.

Originally posted by cajunmtbiker
I have 2002 shimano xt v-brakes. I get a nasty howl from the
front brakes when applied. The back is super quiet. Tried stock pads, kool stops pads, tried adjusting, etc. If anyone has had this problem or can give me some tips I'd appreciate it.
WTGPhoben
05-15-2002, 12:03 PM
another idea...

I've had a pair of the old school LX (the all silver ones) since 1996. for some reason, I can never use gummy pads (like kool stop) on them without having them make tons of noise. I assume this is because the brakes are ancient and have lots of play in them. I found the best solution to be Delta "Aztec" pads. they stop hard and they feel a lot stiffer than kool stop without the howling.