Bicycle Mechanics - Screeching sound when I use rear brake

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peugotismyride
08-07-04, 02:51 PM
Horribly obnoxious screeching sound when I use my rear brake is extremely frustrating because I have no idea why its making this sound. It didn't used to do this not too long ago so it's very strange. Anybody have any advice/explanations?

haro_rider09
08-07-04, 02:53 PM
Are the pads worn? That might be the problem.
peugotismyride
08-07-04, 04:21 PM
Yeah, they're very old but so are the front ones and they dont make any sound... Thanx for the suggestion.

capsicum
08-07-04, 05:07 PM
Wipe the rim and pads down with rubbing alchohol (scuff the pads with sandpaper if they are glazed) and make sure that the pivots are not loose/wiggly. Screaching is caused by the pads grabbing and slideing at a high frequency, it's the same reason some car tires squeal when sliding to a stop or around a corner.
trmcgeehan
08-08-04, 03:59 AM
I don't know if this is a good idea, but when my rear pads screech I use a fine file on the rubber pads instead of sand paper. It seems to work fine.
catatonic
08-08-04, 02:14 PM
I use the file method as well, when I rode a biek with pads, I kept a bastard file in my bag for getting grit out of the pads/resurfacing/etc. $3 for a tool that has so much use...heck I even smoothed out a bit of cash damage to one of my brake levers...it had a sharp edge following a nasty spill...one swipe with the file, and all was well in the land of the catatonic :p
capsicum
08-08-04, 05:22 PM
files and sand paper do the same job in this case.
bkrownd
08-08-04, 05:50 PM
Yeah, they're very old but so are the front ones and they dont make any sound... Thanx for the suggestion.

Same thing on mine - the rears have squealed horribly for years, while the fronts seldom do. Not sure why the difference.

bkr
think5577
08-09-04, 08:52 AM
I know when mine make a noise (front or rear) is when the pads arent lined up right to the rim? Maybe tighten them up would do it.
mike
08-09-04, 11:37 AM
This is an easy one.

Get a can of wheel cleaner from the auto store. Use it to clean the brake material and aluminum oxide from your rims.

Use it on your brake pads also.

Give the rims a swipe with a brush and the wheel cleaner. Rinse, of course.

This is the cheap and easy way to clean your rims and brake pads to eliminate the squaking. If not, then take the brake pads off and scratch off the glaze with sandpaper, or rub it on the sidewalk (which is a nice flat surface and works very well).