Looking for advice: squeaky brake

[bornfree]

Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
when I use it?

How can I fix it?

I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
doesn't seem like a good idea.

[Jonathan Schneider]

bornfree > writes:

> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?

Ooo you'll need a new carburettor.

Just clean the rims with a rag or bit of newspaper. If it's bad you'll
have to repeat when more crap is transferred from the pads.

Jon

[Pete Biggs]

bornfree wrote:
> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?

Brake pads rapidly alternating between sticking and slipping, due to
excessive stickiness or flexibility somewhere.

> How can I fix it?
>
> I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> doesn't seem like a good idea.

Assuming rim brakes...........

Opposite to what you think, oil on the wheel rims is one of the causes of
squeaky brakes. Maybe it softens the pads?

First clean the rim (with water then meths). Sand the pads as well to clean
and roughen them (with wet & dry paper or a fine file).

If the noise soon returns, experiment with brake block alignment and
alternative pads. Also make sure the blocks/pads are on the correct way
round if they are asymmerical, and that the brake is in good condition.
Find tips on www.sheldonbrown.com and www.parktool.com/repair .

Occasionally though this mysterious problem can't be solved without doing
something more drastic - like replacing the whole brake, or bike!

If the noise isn't deafening and doesn't happen every time, I would just
live with it if the brake was otherwise working well. It's very common to
get a bit of a squeal in damp conditions. It's also common with new rims
before they've worn in.

~PB

[Paul - xxx[_2_]]

bornfree wrote:

> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?
>
> I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> doesn't seem like a good idea.

Clean rim, pads, check brakes setup correctly.

--
Paul - xxx

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
'98 Suzuki DR 200 Djebel 'Small but perfectly formed'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'

[Nige Danton]

On Nov 29, 1:34 pm, bornfree > wrote:
> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?

If you have rim brakes then take the pads of and carefully check them
for embedded metal or stone chips. If you find some you can gently
prise it out with a small screwdriver. The like the others have said
clean the pads and rims.

--
Nige Danton

[Simon Brooke]

in message
>,
bornfree ') wrote:

> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?

Common causes are

(1) contamination of the rim or pads with oil or grease
solution: clean rims and pads with alcohol; abrade pads with pumice
(2) improper alignment of pads
solution: adjust pads so that as the brakes are applied the trailing
edge (i.e. towards the front of the bike) hits the rim first.

> I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> doesn't seem like a good idea.

Not only would that stop your brakes working, it would make the squeal
worse - see (1) above.

--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
Ring of great evil
Small one casts it into flame
Bringing rise of Men ;; gonzoron

[Pete Biggs]

Nige Danton wrote:
> On Nov 29, 1:34 pm, bornfree > wrote:
>> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty
>> sound when I use it?
>>
>> How can I fix it?
>
> If you have rim brakes then take the pads of and carefully check them
> for embedded metal or stone chips. If you find some you can gently
> prise it out with a small screwdriver. The like the others have said
> clean the pads and rims.

It's always good to check the pads but embedded objects don't cause
squealing. The worst you'd hear would be a nasty sssscccraping noise.

~PB

[Helen Deborah Vecht]

After you've cleaned and checked the brake pads like the others have
suggested, swap the front and rear brake blocks. This always worked for
me and entailed no extra cash expendture.

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

[spokes[_4_]]

> I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> doesn't seem like a good idea.

Google Toeing in brake pads

[Rob Morley]

In article <c9937fe6-4bda-4238-878a-c954f81ac9b3
@v4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com>, bornfree
says...
> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?
>
Try setting the brake blocks at an angle so the front of the block
contacts the rim slightly before the back does, but so that the block
sits flat on the rim when you apply the brakes hard. This is known as
toe-in. You should also check for excessive movement in any of the
pivots. It might help to clean the braking surfaces - soapy water
followed by meths on the rims, and scrub the brake blocks with some
abrasive paper (make sure none of the abrasive is left embedded in the
block when you're done) or a fine file. If the blocks are worn so
they're no longer flat, but there's still plenty of rubber on them, you
can true them up with a coarser file. Some blocks can be swapped around
to even out the wear, but some are directional and this won't work.

Poorly adjusted brakes can be lethal - if you're not confident of your
ability to do it correctly leave it to an experienced mechanic.

[Tom Cumming]

On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:34:00 -0800, bornfree wrote:

> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?

I know someone spending a 3-year PhD trying to answer this question
(seriously!)

[Mark W]

On 29 Nov, 05:34, bornfree > wrote:
> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?
>
> I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> doesn't seem like a good idea.

Enjoy it while it lasts - nothing wakes up a dopy-pedestrian-about-to-
step-off -the-pavement quicker than a good squeal of brakes.

Mine for some reason have started doing the same thing - both wheels
at the slightest application of the brakes - despite the pads being
well bedded in and the rims of 1970's vintage. From the reactions of
car drivers it is clear that they are also audible though window glass
and over engine noise :O)

[bornfree]

On 29 Nov, 17:51, Mark W > wrote:
> On 29 Nov, 05:34, bornfree > wrote:
>
> > Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> > when I use it?
>
> > How can I fix it?
>
> > I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> > doesn't seem like a good idea.
>
> Enjoy it while it lasts - nothing wakes up a dopy-pedestrian-about-to-
> step-off -the-pavement quicker than a good squeal of brakes.
>

Hah. Very true! But I have a nice little bell anyway.

[Andy Morris]

bornfree wrote:
> Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> when I use it?
>
> How can I fix it?
>
> I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> doesn't seem like a good idea.

It may be oil or grease on the rims, possibly from your hands. Try
riding in the wet and thru some muddy puddles.

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtjinkasDotfreeserve.co.uk

--
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[Rob Morley]

In article <598a5bda-33ee-465c-8558-1b4897f7d2f0
@e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com>, bornfree
says...
> On 29 Nov, 17:51, Mark W > wrote:
> > On 29 Nov, 05:34, bornfree > wrote:
> >
> > > Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> > > when I use it?
> >
> > > How can I fix it?
> >
> > > I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> > > doesn't seem like a good idea.
> >
> > Enjoy it while it lasts - nothing wakes up a dopy-pedestrian-about-to-
> > step-off -the-pavement quicker than a good squeal of brakes.
> >
>
> Hah. Very true! But I have a nice little bell anyway.
>
When Mr. Magoo goes for a stroll is it better to reach for the bell or
the brakes?

[bornfree]

On 30 Nov, 11:25, Rob Morley > wrote:
> In article <598a5bda-33ee-465c-8558-1b4897f7d2f0
> @e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com>, bornfree
> says...
>
> > On 29 Nov, 17:51, Mark W > wrote:
> > > On 29 Nov, 05:34, bornfree > wrote:
>
> > > > Hi.. what is likely to be causing my front brake to make a nasty sound
> > > > when I use it?
>
> > > > How can I fix it?
>
> > > > I thought about bike oil, but obviously the idea of oiling brake pads
> > > > doesn't seem like a good idea.
>
> > > Enjoy it while it lasts - nothing wakes up a dopy-pedestrian-about-to-
> > > step-off -the-pavement quicker than a good squeal of brakes.
>
> > Hah. Very true! But I have a nice little bell anyway.
>
> When Mr. Magoo goes for a stroll is it better to reach for the bell or
> the brakes?

You would make an excellent children's story teller. Have you thought
about taking it up?

[John Clayton]

"bornfree" > wrote in message
news:036c066c-a382-4747-9879->> > > Enjoy it while it lasts - nothing wakes
up a dopy-pedestrian-about-to-
>> > > step-off -the-pavement quicker than a good squeal of brakes.
>>
>> > Hah. Very true! But I have a nice little bell anyway.
>>
>> When Mr. Magoo goes for a stroll is it better to reach for the bell or
>> the brakes?
>
> You would make an excellent children's story teller. Have you thought
> about taking it up?

For numeerous reasons I thoroughly enjoy having noisy brakes.
Where can one have squeaks installed please?
John

[Roger Merriman]

John Clayton > wrote:

> "bornfree" > wrote in message
> news:036c066c-a382-4747-9879->> > > Enjoy it while it lasts - nothing wakes
> up a dopy-pedestrian-about-to-
> >> > > step-off -the-pavement quicker than a good squeal of brakes.
> >>
> >> > Hah. Very true! But I have a nice little bell anyway.
> >>
> >> When Mr. Magoo goes for a stroll is it better to reach for the bell or
> >> the brakes?
> >
> > You would make an excellent children's story teller. Have you thought
> > about taking it up?
>
> For numeerous reasons I thoroughly enjoy having noisy brakes.
> Where can one have squeaks installed please?
> John

spray a bit of wd40 or somesuch near the rims, that should do it...

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com