Squealing Brakes
Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
I've had my Trek 830 MTB for many years, converting it to an e-bike a few years ago. It still rides very well but by now is a bit like 'Trigger's brush' - many of the components changed over the years. Notwithstanding, the cantilever brakes are original albeit with new pads / cables etc. but in recent years the rear brakes have started to judder and squeak very loudly when used (always at the start of a ride, which sometimes improves during a ride.
I fitted a new back wheel couple of years ago, partly to try and rectify the problem which existed with the old wheel, but with no success. I've also changed the pads a couple of times (using Kool Stop pads), ensuring they're properly fitted / aligned and often clean the rims, again with no success.
Any ideas what I can do to stop this, it's often so loud it's embarassing, as well as unpleasant.
Graham
I fitted a new back wheel couple of years ago, partly to try and rectify the problem which existed with the old wheel, but with no success. I've also changed the pads a couple of times (using Kool Stop pads), ensuring they're properly fitted / aligned and often clean the rims, again with no success.
Any ideas what I can do to stop this, it's often so loud it's embarassing, as well as unpleasant.
Graham
Last edited by groberts on 23 Apr 2021, 5:15pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Sqeaky Brakes (extremely)
Do you know about toe-in, and how much are you adding?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-brakes.html
Jonathan
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-brakes.html
Jonathan
Re: Sqeaky Brakes (extremely)
You,ve done all you can.......bar replacing the cantis whose bearing surfaces could be worn.Have you removed,cleaned and regreased these,might make a difference.
Re: Sqeaky Brakes (extremely)
Ensure that the pads are toed-in. That usually is the cause.
I know it's not helpful but I can't help being mischievous here - your query did remind of a similar issue on my wife's bike in the past - she suggested lubing the brake blocks!!
I know it's not helpful but I can't help being mischievous here - your query did remind of a similar issue on my wife's bike in the past - she suggested lubing the brake blocks!!
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
Thanks but I understand and use toe-in and the pads are clean (new), which is why I've run out of ideas.
Last edited by groberts on 23 Apr 2021, 7:08pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
Ive cured squeaky brakes on the tandem by cleaning the rims with (god forbid) WD40. It does work despite what most would roll their eyes at in shock. Heres an old post from the expert
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
To RJB
You learn something new everyday! I'll have to eat humble pie and tell my wife she has a point.
You learn something new everyday! I'll have to eat humble pie and tell my wife she has a point.
- chris_suffolk
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- Joined: 18 Oct 2012, 10:01pm
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
Dirty rims is a definite possibility. Try very fine (like 600 grit) wet and dry or a fine wire wool - both work well with a little meths as a lubricant.rj4 wrote:
One of my former clubmates used to clean his rims with WD40 (which leaves an oily residue) and I used to think he was mad. But having tried it myself I found it worked quite well....so now, I don't jump to conclusions about this kind of stuff...
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
I had the same problem with my bike, I took the brake pads off an rubbed them down with a bit of sandpaper. I then cleaned them with some surgical spirit and cleaned the rims as well.
I must admit to now inspecting the pads more frequently and also cleaning the rims more often, seems to be working for me.
I must admit to now inspecting the pads more frequently and also cleaning the rims more often, seems to be working for me.
-
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Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
As your brakes are original the bushings or less likely the canti studs themselves may have worn enough to cause squealing frequency vibration. You can try wrapping the studs in PTFE tape, surprisingly doesn't affect the pivoting action. If nothing else works it might be time for new brakes. Preferably ones that don't pivot directly on the studs but on a sleeve that's a part of the brake itself.
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
Probably worn brake bush in the brake arm, as mentioned up thread.
As a check, put an allen key in the bolt that clamps the brake pad stud (don't loosen the nut), and waggle the allen key in such a manner to increase/decrease toe in (keep the nut tight, you are just wobbling the brake arm on its pivot). This just gives you an idea of how much movement there is.
What I have found sometime works is.
1. Toe the pads in to what you think is ok.
2. Repeat the wobbling with the allen key as mentioned above in a manner to decrease the toe in (so in your photo, put the allen key in, and push the allen key towards the rim, the nut is still tight).
3. Look at the pad/rim interface in stage 2. If the pad is toed out or parallel to the rim, loosen the nut and increase the toe in.
4. Then repeat stage 2 until the pad looks toed in while you are trying to toe it out with the allen key.
Sometimes the toe in looks excessive, but most of that disappears in the pivot wobble/flex when you put the brake on.
If the pivot is very wobbly, the above is a means to an end to avoid the better cure of new brakes.
The brake in your photo looks like a cheap plastic over steel 1990's Shimano (which despite appearances are quite reasonable). I had such noise issues with a set of these not that long ago, and the noise more or less solved.
As a check, put an allen key in the bolt that clamps the brake pad stud (don't loosen the nut), and waggle the allen key in such a manner to increase/decrease toe in (keep the nut tight, you are just wobbling the brake arm on its pivot). This just gives you an idea of how much movement there is.
What I have found sometime works is.
1. Toe the pads in to what you think is ok.
2. Repeat the wobbling with the allen key as mentioned above in a manner to decrease the toe in (so in your photo, put the allen key in, and push the allen key towards the rim, the nut is still tight).
3. Look at the pad/rim interface in stage 2. If the pad is toed out or parallel to the rim, loosen the nut and increase the toe in.
4. Then repeat stage 2 until the pad looks toed in while you are trying to toe it out with the allen key.
Sometimes the toe in looks excessive, but most of that disappears in the pivot wobble/flex when you put the brake on.
If the pivot is very wobbly, the above is a means to an end to avoid the better cure of new brakes.
The brake in your photo looks like a cheap plastic over steel 1990's Shimano (which despite appearances are quite reasonable). I had such noise issues with a set of these not that long ago, and the noise more or less solved.
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- Posts: 3151
- Joined: 5 May 2009, 6:32am
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
I had the same problem and tried everything suggested to me. At best partial success, noisy but I managed to live with it.
In desperation I changed the brakes also the brake pivots on the frame.
I can't say which was the cure but the delight in stopping in silence it was worth doing both.
In desperation I changed the brakes also the brake pivots on the frame.
I can't say which was the cure but the delight in stopping in silence it was worth doing both.
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
Many thanks for the thoughts - I'll certainly try the WD40, which sounds counter intuitive + also suspect the bushes, so will pay more attention to them as suggested.
Graham
Graham
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
New bike time!
Or, as others suggest, you could try some different brakes, I'd go for v's, a brake and lever needn't cost much, or if you want to try a different canti I might have something in the spares box you could try, as will others.
I'm no expert in these things (Resonance?), sometimes a combination that's working fine becomes an issue with a single change of component.
Or, as others suggest, you could try some different brakes, I'd go for v's, a brake and lever needn't cost much, or if you want to try a different canti I might have something in the spares box you could try, as will others.
I'm no expert in these things (Resonance?), sometimes a combination that's working fine becomes an issue with a single change of component.
Re: Squeaky Brakes (extremely)
If you can't solve the problem with toe in and cleaning, change the brand of pad. Koolstops are good but do have a tendency to squeal. Disco brake pads are good, but don't know if they make a pad with unthreaded studs.