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Thread: How to stop disc brake screeching?

  1. 05-04-2006, 10:44 PM #1
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    Question How to stop disc brake screeching?

    Im running some avid mechanicals and was wondering how can I stop that loud screeching sound everytime I brake? I've cleaned the rotors a few times with some rubbing alcohol and it doesn't help. What can I do?
    Drive slow, homie.
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  2. 05-04-2006, 11:00 PM #2
    Squatch Guest
    on v-brakes the screeching can be stopped by properly adjusting the position of the brake pads. i forget what avid mechanicals are like, but if you can adjust the brake pads to a slightly progressive contact, this might help.
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  3. 05-04-2006, 11:28 PM #3
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    use the brakes less?
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  4. 05-05-2006, 05:25 AM #4
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    front or rear?
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  5. 05-05-2006, 05:44 AM #5
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    Since cable actuated disc brakes are a single piston design, the aplication of the brake causes the rotor to deflect, the more it deflects, the more likely it is to make noise. Try positioning the caliper for minimal rotor deflection. Other possibilities are a really flexy fork (Sid), loose spokes or loose hub adjustment, any one of these can lead to excessive deflection. Hope this helps...good luck.
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  6. 05-05-2006, 06:24 AM #6
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    Wink

    I would try hosing them down with WD40 or Tri-Flow. That ought to do it.
    Last edited by crashnburn'd; 05-05-2006 at 08:31 AM.
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  7. 05-05-2006, 06:38 AM #7
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    ^ Good Call... Maybe even some Teflon spray.
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  8. 05-05-2006, 08:51 AM #8
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    if all else fails, new pads
    Last edited by marshalolson; 05-05-2006 at 09:41 AM.
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  9. 05-05-2006, 09:14 AM #9
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    My Avid mechs get squealy from time to time, too.

    Make sure the caliper/pads are parallel to the disc surface. Avids are really adjustable and easy to get misaligned.

    Take a coarse Scotchbrite pad and scour the rotor surface. Scuff it up real good on both sides, then use alcohol to clean.

    Confirm rotor bolt torque.

    All else fails, pop some fresh pads in.
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  10. 05-05-2006, 10:31 AM #10
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    you can also clean the pads by either putting them in the oven for a while, or my preferred choice, pour ethanol on them and light them on fire. It might help
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  11. 05-05-2006, 10:33 AM #11
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    Get disc brakes hydraulics
    Last edited by mtnbikerskierchick; 05-05-2006 at 11:06 AM.
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  12. 05-05-2006, 10:37 AM #12
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    Cool. Thanks for all the advice guys. Have a feeling it might be those wheels, eh marshal?

    Pads are pretty newish as far as I can tell.
    Drive slow, homie.
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  13. 05-05-2006, 10:39 AM #13
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    Do Avids mechanicals have the same wavy discs as the Juicy hydros? Lots of comments on MTBR about them squealing no matter you do.
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  14. 05-05-2006, 10:42 AM #14
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    I have Avid mechanical discs on my hardtail. They always squeal when they're dusty; when they're clean, they're silent.
    Quote Originally Posted by powder11 View Post
    if you have to resort to taking advice from the nitwits on this forum, then you're doomed.
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  15. 05-05-2006, 11:01 AM #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by marshalolson
    if all else fails, new pads
    gotta quote marshall here. Z, I was in the same boat for a month last summer. Cleaned the shit out of the brakes multiple times, pads were newer as well. Finally replaced the pads and the squeaking stopped. Only thing I could figure is I must have glazed them at one point.

    Also switched from metal to resin's.
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  16. 05-05-2006, 01:19 PM #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by PlayHarder
    Do Avids mechanicals have the same wavy discs as the Juicy hydros? Lots of comments on MTBR about them squealing no matter you do.
    Mine haven't ever really squealed... They do sort of sound like a turkey under heavy braking though.
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  17. 05-05-2006, 01:33 PM #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Son1cdeth
    gotta quote marshall here. Z, I was in the same boat for a month last summer. Cleaned the shit out of the brakes multiple times, pads were newer as well. Finally replaced the pads and the squeaking stopped. Only thing I could figure is I must have glazed them at one point.

    Also switched from metal to resin's.
    the issue is that once the pad compound gets contaminated, the pad squeels, and you cannot get it un-contaminated. the only way to fix it is to buy new pads. always clean your rotor well before using the pads too...
    go for rob

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  18. 05-05-2006, 01:39 PM #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by crashnburn'd
    Mine haven't ever really squealed... They do sort of sound like a turkey under heavy braking though.
    Mine haven't either, just found lots of comments about it when I was looking into which brakes to buy.
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  19. 05-05-2006, 09:08 PM #19
    gravitylover
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    Quote Originally Posted by marshalolson
    the issue is that once the pad compound gets contaminated, the pad squeels, and you cannot get it un-contaminated. the only way to fix it is to buy new pads. always clean your rotor well before using the pads too...
    Yup, Avid brand pads seem to be easily contaminated. Try Aztecs or EBC green. http://www.ebcbrakes.com/MountainBike.html They seem to be more resilient to contamination.
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