Squeaky Front Brakes

This may be a stupid question, but I am pretty new to bikes let alone any mechanical work done on cars/bikes. When I am approaching a stopping point, my brakes don't squeak until the last couple of yards when the bike is going slow before the complete stop. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to alleaviate this problem? Again, it does not squeak the whole time I am braking, only the last couple of yards when the bike is going slow before the complete stop. I appreciate any help that is given. I figure I would ask here before bringing it to a shop. Thanks!

 

Blue Maxim says you can take the pads and file the edges at a 45 degree angle and it will stop the squeal.
Haven't tried it but it's worth the effort.

 

I've been quoted? Oh no! Now they know who to beat up if it doesn't work! Actually this does work especially with new pads. Don't know about old pads. Other thing it could be is the brake rotor being slightly glazed. To de-glazed rub the outside of the rotors with 400-600 grit wet and dry. I prefer to use it wet by rinsing it off with the garden hose. Just takes a few rubs.

 

The 45 degree angle trick works for most squeeks, in the past i have also used a brake quieter that you apply to the back of the pads. That aproach has worked for me on cars before, and I've been told that those 4 dollar cans of "brake medic" aerosol at pep boys works pretty well.

 

Ah Ha! Thank you Brian! I had heard of some spray stuff but didn't know what it was called or where to get it.

 

The 45-degree angle isn't really necessary. No need to be precise. The process of taking the hard edge of new (or used) pads to eliminate the squeal is called: "Chamfering"

The chamfer prevents two surfaces from coming together at a 90-degree angle. Its the 90 on the pad and disc that causes the squeal. The perfect 90 resists motion. Heat, pressure and geometry combine to make the pad resist against the hydraulic pressure ... it doesn't want to be pushed against the spinning rotor and tries to retreat ... only to be forced against the rotor ... so it begings to alternate achieving such back and forth motion that the insuing action achieves a high frequency ... squealing to be realeased from this indecision by removing the source. Round-off all the edges on the pads. Chamfer. Say goodbye to brake squeal!

 

Shoot the Mouse.....

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I will try this 45 degree method and let you know how it turns out.

 

Thanks for the help as well. I was having the same problem...until I read this.

 

It usually helps squeaks to clean and sand the brake discs if they are dirty and rusty. They are quieter when they are clean and shiny. Also, if you have the older type calipers, the kind that uses squarish pads with a small screw hole at the top, make sure the anti-squeal shims are not missing. There is supposed to be a stainless steel shim behind each pad that's usually missing because it got lost or thrown out over the years.