So after a season of riding screaming brakes, I replaced my pads with softer pads, cleaned everything w/ alcohol, but they squeal like a banshee...my rotors have some scorch marks, but i haven't tried to "burn" them w/ a torch yet, which i've heard of...good idea or not? Should i just replace the rotors also?
Disc brake noise
- Thread starter riderfalls
- Start date
I would replace the rotors there are just too many grooves and notches in rotors these days to know that you cleaned them. Did you clean the pads with the alcohol too?
Before buying anything tighten every bolt in the system (calipers mounting bolts and rotor bolts). Loose bolts can cause squeal.
Also, installing new pads or cleaning the pads/rotors can cause brakes to start squealing. This often goes away after a few rides.
Also, installing new pads or cleaning the pads/rotors can cause brakes to start squealing. This often goes away after a few rides.
Try running one metal and one organic pad in each caliper. I've heard that kills noise.
If nothing else, zip tie a piece of grip to a rotor spoke. That will absorb a lot of vibration.
If nothing else, zip tie a piece of grip to a rotor spoke. That will absorb a lot of vibration.
Wow never heard either of those fixes before!
i may have to try that.
Pay a lot of attention and time to get the caliper really well centralized. Some frames and brakes need to be really really well aligned to not squeal.
There is also a product made by Swisstop that is supposed to help quiet down a brake that squeals. I think it's a spray for the back of the pad to help it from vibrating.
There is also a product made by Swisstop that is supposed to help quiet down a brake that squeals. I think it's a spray for the back of the pad to help it from vibrating.
Also, your email is showing. You might want to change your username. The spam is probably rolling in already.
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make sure the caliper is aligned to the rotor. I can get brake howl on my bike if I've adjusted the caliper and it's no longer correctly lined up. Readjusting it usually quiets it.
Check for debris, make sure there's no rocks embedded in the pad or anything.
Spray everything down with brakleen.
Make sure your calipers are aligned properly + applying even pressure to both sides of the rotor.
Make sure your rotor is within spec.
There could be any number of things causing it, but remember, brake noise doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong. You're converting your forward momentum in to heat and sometimes noise, that's just how these things work. It's annoying, sure, but it's not necessarily damaging.
Spray everything down with brakleen.
Make sure your calipers are aligned properly + applying even pressure to both sides of the rotor.
Make sure your rotor is within spec.
There could be any number of things causing it, but remember, brake noise doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong. You're converting your forward momentum in to heat and sometimes noise, that's just how these things work. It's annoying, sure, but it's not necessarily damaging.
I take it it's not a good idea to try car disk brake cleaner on your pads and rotors? I would think it's too harsh?
De Natured? Spray can? I believe in going GREEN with the ozone and such... Could I used some natured Alcohol in a pump spray instead?
Well, the softer pads seem to have done the trick for the noise, but the pads only lasted two full days at Seven Springs and one full at Diablo and they're toast. My last ride at Seven i more or less had no rear brakes. Fun.
Thread is dead. My frame cracked, so I'm moving on. Bigger and better!!