Noisy Front brakes!

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:45 am

I recently painted my front calipers (very carefully) with out taking them off, but now, about 3 weeks later im getting an awful sqeak when braking slowish (not heavy braking). I think its coincedence but just wondered if any of you experts think otherwise or if theres anything else you think it could be. The disc looks fine and not worn. Not too sure on pads. Is there any techniques (easy) of checking if there worn etc.

Thanks for help.

jonnopolo · Post by **jonnopolo** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:14 pm

Have you tried looking at the pads?

If you can't see them through the wheel spokes, just take the wheels off and look. Remember that worn (right down) pads will damage the discs!

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:46 pm

Dont want to sound too stupid but how do you tell when the pads are worn. Is there a set depth?

jonnopolo · Post by **jonnopolo** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:40 pm

Yes - minimum thickness is 7mm. I've worn mine down to less than this, so it's only a recommendation, but don't let them wear down to the metal, otherwise you'll knacker the discs. Hope this helps.

Ian_R · Post by **Ian_R** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:51 pm

not trying to be funny here, If they aint worn or needing replaced, its probaly a case of something being stuck between the pad and disc like a small stone or something.

If your confident and able to, take the caliper off and clean the pads and discs.

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:01 pm

thats great, i'll check the thickness. Iam confident but would rather not touch brakes, being a safety device incase I cock something up. Might have a go.

I'll take the wheels off again and check the distance and try and clean them and if no joy remove them.

Thanks for help guys

young dubber · Post by **young dubber** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:56 pm

1 more thing! i was experiencing a very loud squeek and i also had plenty left on my pads and my discs arnt bad! couldnt see much up with them so i got the pressure washer out and blasted the discs and pads (while wheels are on) and my squeek disapeared! must have been build up brake dust between the pad and disc. just what happend to me! hope this helps

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:05 pm

Cheers, I might try that this weekend

Torq-Al · Post by **Torq-Al** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:22 pm

Just be careful with what you get onto the face of the pads if you take them out to clean them off, get yourself some brake cleaner, or similar to do the job.

Don't want you to contaminate the pads & have to change them unnecessarily! Check the discs for scoring whilst you're there, run your finger from the inside edge to the outside on both sides of the disc, if it feels relatively smooth thats ok, if it feels full of peaks & troughs, then will need changing (inc pads)

That said, its an easy & straightforward job to do.

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:44 pm

Thanks. Any one got a guide out there how to remove the pads.

young dubber · Post by **young dubber** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:53 pm

from memory take wheel off and there is 2 alan key bolts hidden by plastic caps undo them and calpier should lift off then take pads out. its only from memory so im not that sure as it has been a while since i done mine think the alan key is 5 or 6. hope this helps

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:15 pm

Cheers mate, i'll have a look

young dubber · Post by **young dubber** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:22 pm

if you got good strong fingernails you should be able to pop them off lol

Bepe · Post by **Bepe** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:32 pm

get some degreaser sprayed in the brakes and shot with the pressure washer, works a treat, do this twice a week after journeys

lolhoward · Post by **lolhoward** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:56 pm

Cheers, got a pressure washer, gonna try it tomorrow.