Mountain Biking - My disc breaks are squealing really bad

HI

I just got a Trek 4300 2 weeks ago with the disc option. I was speeding down a trail and hit the breaks and I swear u could hear the squeal 2km away, it was really bad. I am new with disc's and they didn't come with a maual so any ideas would be helpful. and if its any help I think they are Hayes

Thanks to any one who can help:confused:
:) THANKS AGAIN EVERY ONE

Have you tried cleaning them? Maybe they're just breaking in?


If not, try using denatured alcohol to clean the discs.

After I got some fork oil on mine, I took a torch to them and oooo baby they work sooo good. Maybe torch yours? :D

Hey Klien good tip

My front XT (new) is squeeling very bad. But it lessens the longer I drag on it then slowly goes away. So I am assuming that its the pads bedding in beacuse that was only the first ride.

But for the blowtorch. Just tale your ordinary blowtorch to the rotors and watch them heat up? Man I need specifics!

try wiping rubbing alcohol on the rotors because they could be contaminated, but if it's the pads you'll need to bake them somehow to cook the oil out of them

Originally posted by Cdude
Hey Klien good tip

My front XT (new) is squeeling very bad. But it lessens the longer I drag on it then slowly goes away. So I am assuming that its the pads bedding in beacuse that was only the first ride.

But for the blowtorch. Just tale your ordinary blowtorch to the rotors and watch them heat up? Man I need specifics!



Nooooooo not the rotors. I am talking about the brake pads, I got fork oil on them. I heard about baking brake pads to get oil out of them, but I took a torch to mine (alot hotter than an oven). I ran it over each pad for 20 seconds, and then 10 more seconds after that. Parts of them got red hot, and they both set on fire. I then put them under water and they immediately cooled off. Installed them, and they worked almost too good. I only torched the front pads. If you get anything on your rotors, clean them with alcohol. I'd think they might warp (even though they can heat up a TON from braking) if you take a torch to them.

I was told that if I ever got disc brakes I should immediately go out and "break them in" by riding real fast and stopping as fast as possible a couple of times. I know it doesn't sound very scientific, but it's supposed to make them grip better and squeal less. I imagine it's the same effect achieved by baking the pads, as suggested above.

Thanks guys

So what your saying is to get them really really hot and then cool em off fast. With a torch or just go really fast and stop fast ok I think I got it

good thank you guys i thought i might have to get new pads lol

THANX AGAIN:D

I do this when my dirt bikes brakes squeal, go fast and hold the brake until it gets hot, then let it cool off for a couple minutes, then repeat until it stops. Of course on a bicycle you would have to do this on a long downhill, but it works. Dust is good too, not mud, mud is very bad but dust seems to help them seat quicker.

Another thing...if it's a very very loud squeel (sounds like it is) and doesn't go away after you clean the rotors and torch the pads, it can also be the rotor itself. I bought new discs and the rear rotor happened to be defected. I think it was its alignment that was off. But due to this minor defect the rear brake squeeled like crazy and wouldnt go away no matter what. So just to let you know. and FYI this defect in disc rotors is not easily noticeable visually.