Hey folks, just as the title says, whenever I apply my front break, the squeal it makes is loud. VERY loud. I just recently changed out the inner tube and replaced the tire, and after that, SQUEEEEAL. It didnt do that before. Any ideas what might be causing it? I dont think there is a need for lube, I mean, who'd want to lube a break system?!?!
Posted Jun 3, 2012, 5:48 PM UTC
Sounds like you either knocked your brakes around a little when you took the tire off, or just didn't get the tire all the way into the dropouts. No worries. First, make sure the wheel is all the way into the dropouts. See if that fixes the squeal. After that, you may need to toe them in. Here's what that looks like.
You want the front end of the brake pad to touch the rim slightly before the back end. It does take a little bit of finesse to get them just right. If you can't get it right yourself, lots of bike shops will do this adjustment for free, or just a few bucks.
This guy. ^^
If it started right after you swapped a tire/tube, then definitely check to make sure the wheel is in the fork properly (loosen the QR or axle nuts, open the brake, make sure wheel is in, re-tighten QR or nuts, close brake).
If that doesn't solve it, then the toe-in/pads/dirty-rims.... etc.
Brake pads need to be adjusted with a little toe-in toward the front. If they are flat to the rim or the back touch first they will screech like a banshee in heat. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakes/index.html this will help.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakes/index.html
quealing of brakes is a common problem, and there's no one simple solution to it.
It's caused by the friction of the brakes against the rim flexing the shoes or brake arms, which then slip back, grab, slip back, grab, etc. at high rate -- like a violin bow on a violin string. All brakes do this, but with luck the pitch (frequency) is too high for human hearing.
Occasional squeaks are annoying, but they are generally not a safety issue. On the other hand, a loud and persistent squeal makes it hard to modulate the brake. It is usually caused by a new brake shoe that has not worn in, or by grease or oil on the rim.
You might think that an oily rim would make the brake slip. Instead, it softens the brake-shoe rubber, which leaves sticky deposits on the rim. The brake shoe catches on these, squeals and grabs.
Here are some things to try if your brakes squeal (and also see Jobst Brandt's advice): Avoid holding the rim with greasy hands! Hold the wheel by the spokes instead. "Toe in" the brake shoes, so that the front edge of the shoe hits the rim slightly before the rear edge. Not all brakes permit this type of adjustment, but most do. Don't bend aluminum brake arms: this can initiate cracking and lead to failure. Instead, replace the brake if necessary. Clean the rims with a good, oil-free solvent (citrus, alcohol, something like that.) In obstinate cases, wash.with dishwashing detergent and a nylon-bristle brush to clean brake-shoe deposits and remaining solvent off the rim; then rinse with water. Sanding the surface of a new brake shoe lightly will remove any slippery chemical deposits. Jobst Brandt recommends using a dusting of household cleanser on a wet rim, then riding and applying the brake to clean the brake shoes and the rim. If the pivots of your brakes are adjustable, make sure that you've eliminated as much play as possible without causing them to bind. Better brake shoes may help. I particularly recommend Kool Stop salmon-colored brake shoes. A "brake booster" may help. This is a horseshoe-shaped arch that connects the two cantilever bolts or centerpull pivots together, making the whole system more rigid.
also, clean your rim with some degreaser and sand your pads with sand paper. ESPECIALLY if they look shinny rather than matte
[deleted]
Are they cantis? If so, there's your answer.
b-r-a-k-e