My Cross-Check has Avid Single-Digit 5 V-style brakes on it. They were taken off of my Trek 520 so they aren't new, they are about 3 years and 3,000 miles old. They shouldn't by any means be worn out with that much use.

The front brakes in particular chatter and squeal horribly, not always but maybe half the time I am braking from any speed. I have tried different pads, I have adjusted and re-adjusted for toe-in, cleaned the rims, mount-post is properly greased etc. The relief is temporary at best before grabbing the brakes and having everyone within a block looking to see who's making that awfull screeching noise. They also have a some play in their bushings, about 3 to 4mm of fore&aft movement at the ends of the arm. I don't know if this is typical or normal.


So, the question is: Are these brakes just crap, or what? Should I just buck up for a decent new set of brakes? They still stop just fine but boy, it's embarrasing when they howl like that.