Help or Advice - Bike Making Squealing Noise When Braking

ZippyRoo on 28/01/2020 - 22:46

Hi guys,

I've seen from many years in this forum that you guys are helpful on almost any topic under the sun, so I'm hoping that there are some avid bike enthusiasts who can give me some advice.

My hubby bought me a second hand Giant Talon 1 mountain bike to get me into riding with the kids. The bike is in fair condition overall except that the brakes make a squealing noise when used. Since it's 8 years old, we changed both the front and back brake pads and gave the rotors a good wipe with alcohol. This made the front quiet but the back is still noisy.

Is there anything else I can do before taking it to the bike shop? Hoping to learn maintaining the bike myself and save some money as a secondary benefit.

Also, what is a good and popular bike forum that most of you use?

Thanks in advance!!

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • brendanm on 28/01/2020 - 22:55
    +3

    What pads did you use? Pads with a lot of metal will be noisy. Can also try scuffing the rotor with a Scotch Brite pad. Also make sure the rotor and caliper mount bolts are tight. Can also put a (tiny) but of lube on the backs of the pads.

    • ZippyRoo on 28/01/2020 - 22:59

      I used the standard Shimano MT400 resin pads. I didn't get the sintered pads because mainly I don't know much about them, but also I did read that they're noisier. Will a brake bleed help? The bike probably never had any maintenance done in the last 8 years.

      Will also try scuffing the rotors.

      • brendanm on 28/01/2020 - 23:01
        +3

        Bleed won't help, but if it hasn't ever been done is probably a good idea. Try the Scotch Brite, if it's only ever had light braking the rotors will be glazed, and pads won't bed in properly.

        • ZippyRoo on 28/01/2020 - 23:04

          Thank you so much. Will do the scotch Brite trick and update back tomorrow!

          • brendanm on 28/01/2020 - 23:05
            +2

            @ZippyRoo: Not a worry mate, hope it sorts it, squealing brakes are no fun when riding.

  • Euphemistic on 29/01/2020 - 05:58
    +1

    Only squeaking when braking or all the time?

    Under braking is somewhat normal for disc brakes and can be hard to prevent. Take he pass out, rub them on concrete or give them a light scuff then bed them in properly by getting up to a decent speed and braking hard 4-5 times.

    Squeaky all the time usually means the calliper is not aligned correctly and the pad is rubbing on the rotor. Loosen the calliper bolts, hold the brake on then tighten the bolts. That usually works, but sometimes you need to visually check the gap between lad and disc and align it manually then tighten. It could also be that the pads are not retracting fully in which case a bleed/service might help.

    Also check if the rotor is warped.

    Bicycles.net.au

    • ZippyRoo on 29/01/2020 - 11:32

      It was definitely only noisy when braking. Initially it seemed to be with both the front and back, but after changing the pads, the front one seems to be really quiet now, only the back is still noisy. However, I changed them after the ride last night so they have not been bedded in yet. I'll scuff the rotors and try bed them in tonight. Will check the bolts also. I'm thinking about doing a brake bleed also but that will have to wait until the weekend. The rotors looked straight when I last checked, but I will do another thorough investigation soon.

      • Euphemistic on 29/01/2020 - 12:48

        You can also scuff the pass to help prior to bedding the brakes in.

  • elgrande on 29/01/2020 - 08:55

    You ran over a piglet.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2020 - 09:57
    +1

    Get some louder spokey-dokeys.

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 29/01/2020 - 10:11

      spokey dokeys? wow, flashback!

    • franco cozzo on 30/01/2020 - 11:23
      +1

      …my spokey dokeys go all the way to eleven. you can hear me from 4 blocks away…

  • blonky on 29/01/2020 - 10:21
    +1

    Good blast of WD40 usually gets rid of squeaks

    [disclaimer: don't do this]

  • [Deactivated] on 06/02/2020 - 18:52
    +1

    There was discussion about noisy disc brakes in this podcast where he explains why it might be happening
    https://cyclingtips.com/2020/02/nerd-alert-podcast-how-to-ma…

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