Home› General Training Discussions

squeeling brakes

drjohnson08drjohnson08
in General Training Discussions
I took my bike into the LBS a couple weeks ago for a tune up and some new brake pads.  The brake pads work great except for the fact that I now have this obnoxious squeeling noise every time I get on them.  I've heard it before out of other bikes at races but never my own.  Any solution to this issue?  Is this normal with some brake/wheel combos?  My wheels are aluminum clinchers.

Comments

  • John BayoneJohn Bayone
    I have had similar high pitched squeezing noise after cleaning and applying lubricant to chain and deraileur, I had gotten some of it onto the wheel. Is it possible there is some chemical on the aluminum braking surface? I cleaned that really well and got it to go away.
  • SwanieSwanie
    If the braking surface on the wheel is grooved or worn it can cause noise. Or if they are glazed from the last set of brakes. You can take some fine sandpaper and clean any glazing off the brake surface pretty easy. If they are worn then you will need new wheels. Cheap brake pads could be the cause also.
  • drjohnson08drjohnson08
    Thanks guys, I'll check both of those options out.
  • wills029wills029

    Doug, you may want to also check that the brake pads are mounted with the "toe in" as opposed to being completely parallel with the rim.

    ~Bill

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Posted By Bill Vass on 10 Jun 2014 11:24 AM

    Doug, you may want to also check that the brake pads are mounted with the "toe in" as opposed to being completely parallel with the rim.

    Meaning the brake is angled such that the front end of the brake pad is slightly closer to the rim than the rear.

  • drjohnson08drjohnson08
    I'm going to work on the bike tomorrow and try all the suggestions. A follow up question...how exactly would I "toe in" the brake pads. I really don't see a way to make that type of adjustment.
  • SwanieSwanie

    The brake pads have a pivoting stud/washer. If you loosen the nut on the pad it can be rotated in multiple directions. Make the top edge of the pad touch slightly before the bottom edge. 

    Watch this video on the how to's.

  • drjohnson08drjohnson08
    Great video! Thank you.
  • drjohnson08drjohnson08
    Problem solved. I "toed in" the brakes last week and I haven't heard anything since. Thanks for the help guys!
Sign In or Register to comment.