break squeaking

Thread started by
dayone at 07.20.08 - 4:14 pm
when I use my brakes they squeak and make a horrible noise? do i just need new brake pads or do i have to adjust something?
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sometimes you just have to clean the rim really well. dirt and junk on the rim will cause a squeak. If cleaning it doesnt help you can try using a little light sandpaper to get it really clean.
stillline07.20.08 - 4:16 pm
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BOIL THEM, FOR 20 MINUTES, ON YOUR STOVE, WITH PLENTY OF WATER, SUBMERGED, THEN TEST THEM, IF YOU GOT 'THREAD' THEN YOU DONT NEED TO REPLACE, JUST RE-ADJUST THEM.
eddieboyinla07.20.08 - 4:17 pm
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cool, thanks for the responses...
dayone07.20.08 - 4:19 pm
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i will clean my wheels right now...
dayone07.20.08 - 4:20 pm
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TRY IT!
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE,
YOUR AT HOME ALONE,
DO SOMETHING.
MAYBE SAVE YOU MONEY, AND YES IM ALWAYS SERIOUS ABOUT ANY ADVICE I GIVE FOR FREE!
GOOD LUCK. FRENCHI.
eddieboyinla07.20.08 - 4:20 pm
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They have probably just worn down a bit and need adjusting. Do a web search for "bike brake adjustment" to see exactly how to do it but they need to be pitched slightly or "toed in" so they grab the wheel the right way. Or ....you could boil them. ...Might want to boil the whole bike just to be safe. :)
frumble07.20.08 - 4:35 pm
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When the pad surface is perfectly parallel to the rim, the brake pads will sometime vibrate when applied, causing that squealing. Often, the only thing you have to do is reset the brakes to have a little bit of "toe-in" - meaning adjult the pads so the front edge contacts the rim before the read edge. This will prevent the pad from vibrating and squealing.
ideasculptor07.20.08 - 6:10 pm
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"Might want to boil the whole bike just to be safe."
Lawlz.
imachynna07.20.08 - 6:27 pm
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another quick fix ... you can use low-grade sand paper to sand down th e pads. i did this and removed the squeakage for about 3-4 months.
illafilla07.20.08 - 6:41 pm
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Also, if you've got the time, flip your bike upside down and spin the wheel and look at where the brakes are. If your wheel is out of true, you'll notice some wavinesss in the amount of space between your rim and the brake pads.
A lot of times brakes squeak because the rim has come out of true and the brakes can't get a good grip because they're moving back and forth with the wavy rim.
You can buy a spoke wrench and true it up yourself using the brake pad as a gauge, or you can bring it in to your local bike shop or bicycle collective (bikerowave, bike oven, bike kitchen), and true it up properly.
Good Luck.
JB07.20.08 - 7:06 pm
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woops
let's try that again:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21
Brake Adjustment!
from Park Tools
adrian07.21.08 - 4:30 pm
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