Bicycle workshop: What to do with squeaking disc brakes?

BIKE Magazin

· 09.06.2006

Bicycle workshop: What to do with squeaking disc brakes?

Photo: BIKE Magazin

Remedy for squeaking disc brakes

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Do the disc brakes on your mountain bike whine and squeal? We'll show you how to silence the MTB stoppers with just a few simple steps.

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Are you afraid to brake because the whining and squealing wakes up the whole forest? Then you should do something about the loud stoppers. Squealing disc brakes on a mountain bike can have many causes

Causes of squealing disc brakes

glazed and dirty brake pads
Bent, dirty or incorrect brake discs
Brake calliper mounts on the frame or suspension fork that are not face-milled
Poorly aligned brake callipers and pistons

Remedy for squeaking disc brakes:

We show you the way to a squeak-free mountain bike. If you carry out the steps step by step, your hydraulic disc brakes should start to work powerfully again and no longer make any noise.

1. first remove the brake pads. The pads are usually secured with a split pin or a small screw. So first remove the split pin or screw, then pull the pads backwards out of the brake calliper. With most brakes, you do not even have to remove the wheel to do this. 2. if the pads have to be removed from the caliper inwards - i.e. towards the hub - the wheel and brake disc must be removed first. This means opening the quick release/threaded axle and removing the complete wheel from the frame or fork.

3. glazed brake pads: You will need sandpaper* with a grit of 100-150 (printed on the back of the paper, available from DIY stores). Place the paper on a flat surface and briefly rub the pads evenly over the paper. You have done everything right if the coverings are no longer shiny, but matt and slightly rough, like the left covering in the picture.

4. if the brake pads are worn (less than 0.5 millimetres of lining on the backing plate), they need to be replaced. Not only original pads are available for this, but also various aftermarket pads for special conditions (e.g. wet conditions). Third-party brake pads for certain weather conditions often prevent annoying squeaking. But beware: The use of aftermarket brake pads invalidates the guarantee and warranty! Manufacturers of such aftermarket pads are Kool Stop, EBC, Trickstuff, Galfer, BBB, Swissstop, Fibrax.

5 If the brake calliper cannot be aligned exactly over the brake disc, this is often due to paint residue on the frame or unevenness on the brake calliper mount. These residues can be removed with a professional milling machine. Have this work done in a bike shop, as the professional tool is too expensive for home use. Afterwards, aligning the brake calliper is child's play.

6 If, in addition to the squealing, you also notice a severe loss of braking power, oil or grease has often got onto the disc or pads. The only remedy for brake pads is to replace them. You can restore the disc with special cleaners (Motorex, Pedros, Sonax, Bike Shine, Brunox, Finish Line). Spray the brake disc generously on both sides with the cleaner. The best way to do this is to dismantle the brake disc. Allow the cleaner to soak in for a few minutes. Then wipe off the residue thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. Then allow the disc to dry again for a few minutes.

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Bicycle workshop: What to do with squeaking disc brakes?

Causes of squealing disc brakes

Remedy for squeaking disc brakes:

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