Screaming breaks

[Rifle]

In short, I cannot find a way to make my brakes stop squeaky extremely loudly, i.e. screaming.

In long, I had great brakes that stopped well in the rain and never squeaked. When it came time for new pads, I could not find anymore of the kind I had used and had a really hard time finding a break pad that would stop well in rain. Eventually settled with Tectonic pads fro Kool Stop; they weren't completely silent but the squeaking wasn't too bad in most weather conditions. After about a year of riding they are almost worn down and I've been on quest to find a way to not have my brakes scream like a banshee every time I stop. These pads started screaming like crazy after riding in the rain one night, which is what led me to seeing them almost being wore down. I've cleaned the rims and tried a couple different pads will all sorts of toe-in amounts and nothing has alleviated the screaming at all. Wondering if anyone has encountered this stubbornly noisy brake situation and found a way to solve it. The squealing is just insanely loud and completely unacceptable. Wondering if for whatever reason I need to put completely brakes on.

 

[Sunder]

In short, I cannot find a way to make my brakes stop squeaky extremely loudly, i.e. screaming.

In long, I had great brakes that stopped well in the rain and never squeaked. When it came time for new pads, I could not find anymore of the kind I had used and had a really hard time finding a break pad that would stop well in rain. Eventually settled with Tectonic pads fro Kool Stop; they weren't completely silent but the squeaking wasn't too bad in most weather conditions. After about a year of riding they are almost worn down and I've been on quest to find a way to not have my brakes scream like a banshee every time I stop. These pads started screaming like crazy after riding in the rain one night, which is what led me to seeing them almost being wore down. I've cleaned the rims and tried a couple different pads will all sorts of toe-in amounts and nothing has alleviated the screaming at all. Wondering if anyone has encountered this stubbornly noisy brake situation and found a way to solve it. The squealing is just insanely loud and completely unacceptable. Wondering if for whatever reason I need to put completely brakes on.

Just put some WD40 on the rim...

Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

Despite common wisdom, I found "Toe-in" didn't always help, especially with my Deore brake pads. I loved them. They stop like no other brand I had used before - but they were so loud, cars got nervous wondering where the B-double semi with a full load and dodgy brakes were.

My solution? Toe out. 1 piece of cardboard - the type that is used to back many things which are just zip tied to the cardboard - thick enough to be not flexible, but not corrugated, and inserted it in the the REAR[b} of the brake pad when adjusting the angle. The only thing I can hear when braking now, is a very slight rumble.

 

[Mtnm]

This helped me with brake squeal.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday-Silence-That-Squeaky-Disc-Brake-2011.html

I found I didn't need to remove the rotor as described in the article, but could get adequate sanding while turning the wheel. Unlike the article I used 320 grit emery paper (obviously new paper) to lightly touch-up the problem rotor.
As the article states, it would be easy to cut yourself while doing this.
I did use the brake cleaner recommended in the article.
I followed this with aggressive braking (many more than 20 times) on dry pavement from around 15 mph.

 

[aroundqube]

With rim brakes,I have had good results by removing the brake pads and sanding them with 220 grit sandpaper.I lay the sandpaper on a flat surface and rub the pad evenly pressed against it. Then scuff the rim with a new dry Scotch Brite pad (green one,no sponge attached).Stubborn rims get cleaned with very fine sandpaper.

 

[dogman dan]

Some squeal can be good, gets those dumbass pedestrians with the 20 foot dog leash to look up. But I found when mine (rim) squeal a lot it's just time to clean the rim, smeared with rubber mixed with dirt.

Odd that didn't do it for you.

 

[MadRhino]

Rubber is likely to make noise with friction in various conditions, so noisy rim brakes happens frequently. Disc brakes are noisy when contaminated, or when the brake pad material and rotor design don't match. Cleaning might do good, yet pad replacement is the real solution.

 

[Ykick]

My wayt of adding toe-in is to use a Nickel or Quarter as spacer under the rear of the pad. Loosen the mount bolt and squeeze the pads down - tighten in that position.

Some rubber just sucks and no amount of toe-in seems to help. Clean, sand, try Salmon Kool Stop, etc.

 

[Rifle]

I've tried everything: switching pads, toe-in/out, cleaning, sanding, etc. Nothing works. Cleaning & sanding helps briefly, but by the next day it's back to screaming. Any other ideas? Any chance replacing the brake arms might help? I hate living like this...

 

[Ykick]

Maddening ain't it? These are what I'll use with a hard pad when nothing else works - http://www.ebay.com/itm/390848272569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[Rifle]

I think I'm going just get a new bike :lol: There's so many things in need of work or replacement on this bike that I was planning on switching everything over to a new bike this winter anyways. Might just do it a little sooner now. And go for disc breaks; that'll fix it

Uhg, except disc brakes won't be compatible with a standard front 9c motor will they?

 

[Ykick]

If you're not digging the bike frame certainly look for something else. But as you're learning - things like the motor lacking disc mount may complicate your life.

When I want EXCELLENT rim braking without all the squeal I reach for those Magura rim brakes. I've got frames and motors with disc mounts and in most cases I still prefer to use the Magura's because they're like a 600cm disc brake. You can probably crush the rims with those things and while the upfront cost and installation is a minor PITA once things are setup correctly, changing pads much easier than any rim brake system I've ever used. And, they never squeal or if they do a change in pad material or readjustment quickly solves any noise issues.

They can be found cheaper used on eBay or Pinkbike but you should have a bleed kit, oil, hoses, fittings before going the used route. I've bought two of those new sets from Germany and couldn't be happier with the product/seller.

Main drawback for eBike use is the difficulty adding brake switches. It can be done but not for the faint of heart or those not willing to fabricate some limit switch mounting, etc.

 

[Rifle]

Well, all of the sudden, after about 200 miles of city riding w/ frequent braking, they stopped screaming. Stopping power seems to be lacking though, so I doubt they will have sufficient stopping power in the rain, but for the dry season, this'll do.

 

[Chalo]

The brakes I have the most trouble quieting down are those with excess free play/wobble on the post. There is no satisfactory long term solution for this, other than replacing the brakes.

When you toe in your brakes, be sure there is still some toe angle when the pads are dragged all the way forward. That free play I'm talking about can allow the brake to twist enough to eradicate any amount of toe-in you applied without twisting the arms in the correct direction.

 

[amberwolf]

I don't have much of an additional contribution to the thread, but a correction:

My solution? Toe out. 1 piece of cardboard - the type that is used to back many things which are just zip tied to the cardboard - thick enough to be not flexible, but not corrugated, and inserted it in the the REAR[b} of the brake pad when adjusting the angle.

IIUC, your'e actually describing Toe-*in*, meaning, hte front edge of the pad closer to the rim than the rear of the pad is.

Toe-*out* would be if the gap is at the front edge of the pad, with the rear edge closer to the rim.