Brakes Howl - HELP!

[Ken Talbot]

That's what they are supposed to look like! Put a little gob of disk brake lubricant (silicone grease) between the shim and the back of the pad or you might just trade your brake howl for brake rattle.

[randy]

I cut them out from aluminum flashing material that I had lying around. They don't rattle, but if they do i'll grease 'em.

Thanks again.

[randy]

I'm still curious as to why the shims disappeared from the '79 fiche??

[Snow]

Not to revive a dead thread, but I came across this trying to solve my howling front brake problems...*very* embarrassing on campus as I make everyone think the bus is coming

So, I bought a bottle of brake lube (synthetic, in the permatex/loctite isle - large bottle about $7, two small packets were $3.50! ).

Began work on rear, was happy to find a brake shim there (no rear noise of course). Then drew a template and cut two new shims for the front - one right and one left out of 1 pop can (Diet Rite Tangerine to be specific).

I then lubed up the back of the pads, the shims (after installing pads and shim), caliper bolt spacer (in caliper, has boots - had to really pressure them to get them moving. Lubed solved that), and caliper bolt spacer bolt. For some un-resize photos of the original shim (and soon to be template):

http://128.186.148.117/~snow/pix/xs11/brakes/large/

Again, this is the shim from the RIGHT side - left is opposite facing. Another note, yes that's my '89 Mustang GT in the background - brought back from the dead If you wanna see what she looked like the day I bought her, go here:
http://128.186.148.117/~snow/pix/89GT/P1010011.JPG

http://128.186.148.117/~snow/pix/89GT/

[79XS11F]

So did the front brake squeal get cured?? I put new pucks all round this year and the brakes were fine. They just started to squeal last week end and the only way to get rid of it is to apply the brakes hard. I do not remember my original 1978 XS11 ever having squealing brakes and for what it's worth that bike like this one (79) also did not have the shims your talking about.
Rob

[Snow]

This was on my '78 - there was absolutely not even a squeak after working on them this time during my 20 mile test ride Too bad it's pouring today and I had to drive the cage...just wish I would've thought to use my waterproof backpack though.

The pads I got were EBC and not chamfered.

[xschop]

good ol' coca cola

I second the aluminum can shim... done it to a few calipers, the aluminum is a better heat sink too....

[79XS11F]

If someone has one of these shims perhaps they could post a traced template.
Rob

[Snow]

Forgive my lack of tracing/transcribing/measuring skills. Here's the large version:

http://128.186.148.117/~snow/pix/xs1...0-%20right.bmp

[79XS11F]

Thanks Snow ... So what holds them in place? Are they bonded to the back of the pucks?
Rob

[Snow]

There are three tabs, two at the top and one at the bottom - they are easier to see in some of the photos. I also applied brake grease on both sides of the shim as the thinner soda can aluminum didn't want to stay put on the calipers while installing.

Here's a clearer photo showing the tabs:

http://128.186.148.117/~snow/pix/xs1...8262007038.jpg

[olebiker]

Ok so is this why I get a squeal from the left cal. only as it is the only one that my front hand lever operates. Are the xs brakes set up the same as my 82xj ?

[malber]

Originally posted by olebiker
Ok so is this why I get a squeal from the left cal. only as it is the only one that my front hand lever operates. Are the xs brakes set up the same as my 82xj ?

The XJ came with linked brakes. The XS did not.

[79XS11F]

Originally posted by olebiker
Ok so is this why I get a squeal from the left cal. only as it is the only one that my front hand lever operates. Are the xs brakes set up the same as my 82xj ?

Perfect .. thanks again for the pics Snow
Rob

[olebiker]

Originally posted by malber


The XJ came with linked brakes. The XS did not.

Thanks!