Endless squeaky brakes

[1887]

I have a 1980 Standard, I completely rebuilt the front brakes (new master cylinder kit, new brake lines, new pistons & seals, everything thoroughly cleaned), I did not replace the pads because they had tons of life left. I cleaned them with brake clean, I also cleaned the ss pad slider surfaces. I used brake grease on the back of the pads, put er all back together and it was a thing of beauty - brakes were perfect...until...A week later it started to squeak during low pressure stops - it would go away if I got on the brakes harder. So, I took er all apart , cleaned off the brake lube, sprayed the pads, reapplied brake grease (a bit more this time) and it was fine....for a week. The squeak came back.

I only put grease on where the back of the pads touch the piston & caliper claw. Am I doing something wrong? It is annoying and my dog is starting to hate me.

[1887]

I should add: The pads that are currently on the bike are SBS however I am unaware of the model (organic or sintered). Could this be a factor?

[DAVINCI]

Chamfer the leading edge of each pad with a file, it worked for me.

[1887]

actually i already did that because the edges had a bit of scaling/flaking

[BowlingSS]

I would replace the pads.

Bill

[crazy steve]

If the pads don't already have one, cut a slot in each with a hacksaw. Don't go full depth, put it in the middle of the pad top-to-bottom. The OEM pads have this slot. You can also try a scotchbrite pad on the rotor surface to 'break' the glaze.

But some pads will squeak because of the material....

[1887]

The pads already have a slot in them (top to bottom), should I put another slot in?

[bikerphil]

Chamfer the leading edge of each pad with a file, it worked for me.

+1 this has worked for me too except I used a grinding wheel, much faster.

[DAVINCI]

@ 1887:

No, not a slot, a chamfer. At the leading edge, (lowest as the pads are installed) file an angle on the pad material

[MPittma100]

Brake Quiet

An item sold in auto parts store - should stop the noise. It is red in color. Comes in liquid or spray application. Cheap fix. Apply to back of pads, let dry, reinstall pads.

[1887]

I beveled the edges of the pads last night with a bench grinder. I smeared "disc quiet" on the back of the pads, let it sit and reassembled them. I haven't ridden it yet, I will be going for a ride tonight to test it.

[1887]

Squeak is gone! Hooray

[BowlingSS]

Squeak is gone! Hooray

Hope it stays gone.

Bill

[1887]

ARGH - the damn squeak came back? That high pitch noise is driving me nuts, I find myself not using any light application of the brakes to avoid that trailer trash sound. I slam on the brakes at the last minute; no more trail braking!

[bikerphil]

Might have to scuff the glaze off the rotors with some 80 grit, easy to do with the rotors off the bike, not so easy otherwise.