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Squealing disc brakes

Old 07-05-20, 09:28 AM
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biketampa
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Squealing disc brakes

So my sram disc brakes on my gravel bike have started to make a lot of noise. So the other day, I cleaned the rotors and de-glazed the pads. I went out for a ride yesterday and they quickly started squealing again. The bike and pads are new as of last November. A rough estimate of maybe 1000 miles on them as I mainly ride once on the weekends and indoors during the week. I have no idea how long disc brake pads last. I ordered new ones so hopefully that will resolve the issue. Is there anything I’m missing or are the brake pads just finished? I didn’t measure the wear when I removed them.
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Old 07-05-20, 06:19 PM
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I've had to deglaze rotors as well. Take the rotors off the bike, clean them with a solvent, than take a sander with 220 grit garnet paper to both the rotors and the pads. Just a light deglazing.

makes everything like new.

Oh, you probably know this but never touch the rotors or pads with your fingers. Even skin oil can cause them to squeal. Chain lube = disc brake death. If the pads got oil on them time for new pads.
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Old 07-05-20, 07:36 PM
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It's easy enough to figure out whether the noise is coming from the front or rear brake; it's probably the front. If cleaning hasn't worked, replace the pads and that will probably solve your problem.

Brake pad life depends on many factors, so there is no set lifespan.
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Old 07-06-20, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Koyote
It's easy enough to figure out whether the noise is coming from the front or rear brake; it's probably the front. If cleaning hasn't worked, replace the pads and that will probably solve your problem.

Brake pad life depends on many factors, so there is no set lifespan.
definitely the front brake. Ordered new pads
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Old 07-06-20, 08:13 AM
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biketampa Side note....are you Bike Tampa, as in History Bike Tampa?
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Old 07-06-20, 03:48 PM
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Make sure the caliper is holding the brake pads absolutely square and flat. Is there the same amount of spacers on both caliper mounts. What I am saying is this is akin to the fact that rim brake pads need some toe in to not squeal.
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Old 07-13-20, 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Juan Foote
biketampa Side note....are you Bike Tampa, as in History Bike Tampa?

haha no. I don’t know what history of bike Tampa is. I don’t even live in Tampa anymore. I created the username when I lived there
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Old 07-13-20, 03:49 PM
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I’m still baffled on these brakes. I replaced the front brake pads. Also cleaned and sanded the front rotor just to be sure. Went for a ride. Really bad squealing. I checked the bolts that hold the brake on the fork and they were tight. I’m going to check other bolts.
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Old 07-13-20, 04:11 PM
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What type of pads? Resin or semi-metallic?
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Old 07-13-20, 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Pop N Wood
What type of pads? Resin or semi-metallic?
resin. I’m just surprised it was seemingly almost worse after. I maybe was expecting a little noise as I was braking them in but it was very loud. I’ve never had such issues with brakes. I did check the bolts holding the rotor and they were fine. The thru axle wasn’t loose at all. It seems too loud to be something like the brake lever.
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Old 07-13-20, 06:08 PM
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Only when wet , then I put in 'organic' compound pads.
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Old 07-14-20, 05:20 AM
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The resin ones are typically the quiet ones.

Don't know what to tell you. Usually the sander trick works wonders. I'm sure you realize any bit of oil on the rotors, even from your fingers, can cause squeal? Alcohol or brake cleaner and lots of clean rags when messing with rotors.
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Old 07-14-20, 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Pop N Wood
The resin ones are typically the quiet ones.

Don't know what to tell you. Usually the sander trick works wonders. I'm sure you realize any bit of oil on the rotors, even from your fingers, can cause squeal? Alcohol or brake cleaner and lots of clean rags when messing with rotors.
yeah. I’m definitely baffled. I figured the resin ones would be quieter. I wore gloves when cleaning everything. Cleaned the rotors with alcohol. When they were still squealing I thought maybe some bolt was loose but everything is tight. I’m close to taking it into the shop.
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Old 07-18-20, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Pop N Wood
The resin ones are typically the quiet ones.

Don't know what to tell you. Usually the sander trick works wonders. I'm sure you realize any bit of oil on the rotors, even from your fingers, can cause squeal? Alcohol or brake cleaner and lots of clean rags when messing with rotors.
i ordered a new rotor. I tried sanding it more thoroughly and rode today. I feel like it was better initially then went back to squealing. I’m guessing the rotors were more glazed over than I realized.
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Old 07-18-20, 11:40 AM
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My solution for squealing SRAM (Avid) brakes (after trying the recommended "cures"). Procured Shimano for my wife, and mechanical for me.
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Old 07-18-20, 05:47 PM
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Timely subject. Just wait until the calipers won't release from the rotors. It is coming, I promise you. 4 fricking bikes this week with Sram hydro brakes with this problem. 4 of them! It is just nuts.
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Old 07-19-20, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
Timely subject. Just wait until the calipers won't release from the rotors. It is coming, I promise you. 4 fricking bikes this week with Sram hydro brakes with this problem. 4 of them! It is just nuts.
That sounds very dangerous.
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Old 07-19-20, 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
Timely subject. Just wait until the calipers won't release from the rotors. It is coming, I promise you. 4 fricking bikes this week with Sram hydro brakes with this problem. 4 of them! It is just nuts.
SRAM Force 1 Hydro for 4 years with no problem. When should I expect this?
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Old 07-19-20, 07:08 PM
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I had squealing like a turkey with my SRAM Force Hydros. I just recently got fed up with it and replaced the SRAM/Avid rotors with some Shimano RT-70 rotors and no more squealing.
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Old 07-19-20, 09:43 PM
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I find rotors with an aluminum spider tend to be stiffer and less prone to squealing; not sure what you have...
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Old 07-25-20, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by dwmckee
I find rotors with an aluminum spider tend to be stiffer and less prone to squealing; not sure what you have...
not sure. I just installed the replacement rotor and no squealing. Just surprised that sanding the old ones didn’t do the trick.
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Old 07-25-20, 01:42 PM
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Semi metallic pads chirped when its wet out, (I don't go fast) the Organic compound Did not, once I bedded them in..
[Avid BB7 Mtn, Kool Stop Replacement pads]

Chirping brakes work better than ringing my bell on the MUP..
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