Thread: Sqeaky brakes
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Old 01-19-08, 05:35 PM
  #9  
graybeard
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sqeeeelers

Sqealing disc brakes are usually caused by contaminated brake pads. Try cleaning the disc rotors with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth. remove pads and make sure they are clean also, light wire brush and alcohol work well on pads also.
Check to make sure the caliper is centered and parallel to the rotor. Road test bike for sqeeeel.
One trick that sometimes helps is to take a water bottle and apply substantial water to the caliper on the road test while braking.
If all above fails , dig out a $20 bill and buy some new pads and instal . Always use caution when installing pads and working on disc brakes.. Be careful with fingers getting into the rotor ..ouch ouch..
As mentioned contamination is the cause 90 % of the time, so dont spray lubes , cleaners, waxes on your rotors/calipers. Using the coin op car wash is bad because so often there is wax in the hose when you first turn it on. Using spray chain lubes & spray waxes is also a problem. Washing your bike in the driveway with car wash soap can be bad as many Auto soaps also have a wax in them. The best soap to wash your bicycle with is blue" Dawn "dishwashing soap. (regular dish wash soaps have oil emolients in them to make hour hands soft and pretty. Doug Dye, (Cannondale N.W. sales Rep) recommended the blue Dawn years ago, and I use it all the time. it works.
good luck
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