Mountain Biking - Noise from the front wheel, also brakes squeel

Hello,

While I wait for my new bike, I am riding my wife's mountain bike. It's a Roadmaster (snobs need not comment). I have a couple of problems which I am hoping others can help with.

The front wheel starts making noises when I exceed leisurely pace. It seems to be coming from the center of the wheel. Could it be the bearings? I have sprayed a liberal amount of WD-40 and it seemed to be slightly better but has not gone away. The bike was unused for a couple of years. Any other recommendations besides replacing the whole wheel or taking the whole thing apart?

Also, I replaced the rear brake pads to eliminate another problem I was having. It sounded and still sounds like elephant in heat. I cleaned the rims with rubbing alcohol as well and it seems to be slightly better. The braking has dramatically improved. Someone suggested taking sand paper and apply lightly to the brake pads or adjusting it so the entire pad doesn't strike the rim at the same time. I have fiddled around with that but can't seem to get it to go away.

Any ideas?

Thanks everyone in advance.

Sunny

Take the bearing out of the front wheel, and check them first, see if they are still in place, no dirt or stuff in there, and check the bearings condition, they may need to be replaced.

My front brake squeeled as well. so i took a file to the pad, and when i fited them back i turned the around, squeel stoped. Could try that if you want worth a shot i guess. :)

And to point number 1 by DaMan....NEVER USE WD40...it is not a lubricant. Get some grease and tear down the fron hub and regrease....

i think rust is causing the squealing, as you mention that the bike has not been in use for a few years. Wd-40 is way too thin use some grease as mentioned by mael

Its not even the thiness...it is a degreaser...breaks the grease down and washes it away...it is very very very bad.

Can i use WD40 on the rear shoch though?, it squeaked all the time, so i out some of that on, problem solved. :)

Toe in your brakes to get the sqeal out. Mine HOWLED until i figyred this out.

In other word tilt the forward end of the pad in, so that the front is closer to the rim than the rear, but only by about 2mm. THIS MAKES IT GO AWAY It takes some tinkering, but once you learn its easy to do.

where on the shock? The seals?...I use the right lube for the job...wd40 is good for removing stickers...and thats it.

Ok, (first time in my life) took the wheel apart and I could see those bearings. They seemed to be in great shape (no rust) and there seemed to be plenty of grease in it too. For a good measure, I went to ACE and bought a nice $5 tube of Synthetic grease and a can as well. Sprayed it, put enough grease on it to make me happy and put it all back together again. Only to find out that I had tightened the hell out of the wheel that it wouldn't move. I only hand hand tightened the nuts on both sides of the wheel to a point where the wheel moves freely without rubbing. Then screwed the nuts for the frame as tight as I could. The wheel now moves freely. Is this the right way to do it?

The noise is 90% gone but I still get an occasional sound and now I also wonder if this one is coming from the spokes. The wheel seems to be true'd ok (it's not perfect though). All the spokes seem to be fine as well. Should I change the bearings for a good measure? ACE seemed to be out of the right size else I would have just gone ahead and done it.

Re: the brakes, I tried to tow them in. They seem to be better but they are also brand new so I will see if they break in. If not, will try other recommendations.

Thanks,