Front brake squeak...

Hi folks,

Just started getting a squeak from my front brakes when applied.

To me the pads look good right? What could be the issue?

 

Odd wear on those pads... it should be flat, and not at an angle. Something on your caliper may be seized... slider pin perhaps..

It's a 650 right?

 

Yeah it's 650 - I thought that was normal - isn't that why they're made like that - this is just one pad above - other has the opposite slope so together they are "flat" right. There is almost no wear on these pads - I really didn't think there would be either as I only replaced them a few months ago.

 

I don't know the 650, so I'll wait for someone else to chime in.

 

I think this is one of the main differences for the 650 - only one front caliper and the pads kind of pivot onto the disk hence the sloped design of the pads.

 

If that is a Maxim the pads are angled to allow for the swing that occurs during normals use. The Maxim caliper pivots instead of having pins to float in-and-out on.

As to the squeak: Whan you replaced the pads did you clean and lubricate the bushing and bore for the caliper mounting bolt? Did you reuse the anti-rattle springs or get new ones? If you reused, did you clean the old ones thoroughly? How long has it been since the caliper piston seals were replaced?

 

Yes.

I reused them so maybe i need new ones - probably - I did clean these a little but not so much

No idea - I need to rebuild the whole caliper soon I guess.

 

Have you rode in wet weather recently? Could be piston against back of pad friction. Imo brake lube the metal back of pads.

Gary H.

 

A sticky caliper piston will cause the pads to drag. A caliper rebuild is fairly quick, very cheap, and should be done every two to three years.

 

Well ok Professor. What's the assignment?

Gary H.

 

I did actually ride in some rain the other day which is something I don't usually do. Not that I'm opposed to it as a person - I'm not a fair weather rider at all but this bike is just a bit of a fair weather bike right now. Perhaps this was the case - I'll lube the pads and see if it makes a difference. Just trying to keep my jobs down to a minimum so I can get as much riding in before the winter hit here in full. Fall is so great here - the 6o degree sunny crisp days between the showers are perfect. The calipers look to be in good shape and I added a new line a few months ago so I'm not worried about them.

 

Ribo, k-moe is correct about rebuilding the caliper if you haven't done it yet. Looks can be deceiving. As you know this one caliper does the brunt of the braking (front and back). It must function properly.

Gary H.

 

I know - I know... safety first and all but seriously they're fine - not perfect, but they're fine for now. I am however going to be rebuilding them along with my other winter projects starting in a month or so, while the weather is no-bueno. Appreciate the concern though guys .

 

make a 45deg chamfer about 1/8 inch deep on the leading edge of each one. i don't know why but they say it works.
thank Rick-o-matic for that one

 

Hmmm...going to have to try this on my next replacement.

Gary H.

 

On a motorcycle there is no such thing as "fine for now" when addressing the mechanicals.

 

Bollocks - of course there is - I'm sure most people here don't have infinite money and we all get our bikes to a place where we're happy riding them confident that they are safe but I'm sure "fine for now" is the answer to many a to-do job that's on the list for these antique bikes in most peoples garages. Yes brakes are usually essential and need to be working but I've ridden bikes without brakes, bike with "occasional" brakes and bikes that just had new brakes that decided to just stop working on me and I rode them all very differently with that knowledge - except the later - that knowledge was gained on the way into a muddy field instead of the back of a bus.

The maximator is a touchy lovable little bitch all round so I ride her with a certain degree of disbelief anyway.

 

The pads that are shown look perfectly find and normal. Bevel the back edges like Polock said. That way, the rotor rotates into the pads sort of like being funneled into the pads. Without the chamfer, the back sharp edge of the pads can chatter against the rotor and cause the squeek.

Dave F

 

Exactly. Chamfer the leading and trailing edges and be done with it.

This whole kabiffle over brake pads is yet another reason why we need our SIGNATURES BACK.

The 650 Maxim has a single disc with the pivoting caliper and "normally angled" pads, the 650 R/Seca/XJ650 if you're not in the USA has dual discs with totally different calipers; the 550s and 750 Seca and the 1100 have the same style calipers done slightly differently, the 750 Max's are different, etc., etc., etc. The brake pads, how they mount, how the calipers come apart and how they mount, all sorts of differences. We need to know what bike we're talking about when giving advice.

 

+1 ^. We need our signatures back. Just saying.

Gary H.