Phil_gretz

This is for a neighbor's mid-90s Trek 720 Multi-Track. I'm getting a pronounced squealing that toe-in adjustment isn't solving.

The stock v-brake calipers are unbranded generics with Shimano levers. Even with the mounting bolt firmly torqued, there's a hair of axial play on the stack of things on the fork brake mounts: plastic spring pre-load disc, a thin washer, the aluminum caliper arm, and the bolt head. Just maybe 0.5mm of movement in and out on the mount, but enough on each caliper arm that there's "play" in the brake.

The aluminum rims are true.

The pads are new and fairly grippy. I started the toe in with a folded business card under the rear of the v-brake pad, and braking was really squeely. I've since hand adjusted the toe-in to be more extreme, and it's less, but still present.

What are our no cost/low cost options:

- cheaper hard brake pads?
- an extremely thin brass washer between the caliper and the bolt head?
- new Tektro branded caliper set from the Far East?
- wait for the pads to bed in and stop shuddering?

I'd be okay with it as it is, but my neighbor won't like the noise when stopping.

What ideas do you have to reduce the noise now? Thanks, guys.

HillRider

I had a similar problem with the front Avid SD-7 V-brakes fitted with both the stock and Kool Stop Salmon pads on a Surly Cross Check, so it isn't limited to cheap brakes and poor pads. I tried toeing changes, shims, etc. and nothing helped. What finally cured the problem was fitting road pads and holders in place of the longer V-brake holder/pad. The shorter, more rigid pads seemed less vibration sensitive.

jimc101

Koolstop are the standard reply here, although if you have no-name brakes, thinking that the replacement pads would cost more than your Tektro suggestion below

- Try it, if you have one, may or not work

- can't you get these in the US? or some lower end Shimano, say Acera

- think you will be waiting a long time for this.

Never got why people always go on about to-in with v-brakes, have been using them since 1996 (when Shimano M737's came out) and have never toe'd them in, and never needed to. With v-brakes, all you get is a lot of wear at the front, on what are thin pads to start with. Cantis are another matter...

For the movement, you are experiencing, I there can be play on the arms, but this won't affect braking, would be looking at the condition of the rims, are they clean? this can make a difference although not as much as the pads.

Phil_gretz

Thanks. The current pads are brand new, with a soft grippy blue surface. I cleaned the rim while it was up on the truing stand. Ammonia solution and wipe, then water tinse and wipe.

The brakes are gripping very well. Too well...

I've used toe in to reduce the contact area, but more importantly, increase the angular travel needed for the brake system to shudder harmonically. At least that's what my instincts tell me.

jimc101

A lot of noise depends on the pads, I am currently using Shimano Deore v brakes on one bike, with stock Shimano pads, great in the dry, a bit of damp, they become noise, have used Swssstop RxPlus, great pads very quiet, but expensive,

fietsbob

See previous answers to FAQ.