Cool Stop Brake Pads SQUEAL
06-01-18, 06:49 PM
#1
Bicyclerider4life
Thread Starter
Cool Stop Brake Pads SQUEAL
I had the OEM "V" brake pads replaced with dual compound Black/Salmon Cool Stop pads, at the LBS. I did not feel like messing with them, and had the shop install them.
The pads have less than 500 miles on them.
The trike has less than 700 miles on it.
The front rim is true, and not worn out.
The Cool Stop pads started squeeling with-in 10 miles of new.
To date, the rim and pads have been lightly sanded with 320 grit sandpaper. (The LBS though maybe the brake surface on the rim was too smooth, and the pads might be glazed.) That did eliminate the squeeling ... for about 4 or 5 stops.
The brake releases properly, and I do NOT ride the brake!
Any ideas as to why new cool stop pads would screach like a banshee?
Any ideas on how to shut them up?!
The pads have less than 500 miles on them.
The trike has less than 700 miles on it.
The front rim is true, and not worn out.
The Cool Stop pads started squeeling with-in 10 miles of new.
To date, the rim and pads have been lightly sanded with 320 grit sandpaper. (The LBS though maybe the brake surface on the rim was too smooth, and the pads might be glazed.) That did eliminate the squeeling ... for about 4 or 5 stops.
The brake releases properly, and I do NOT ride the brake!
Any ideas as to why new cool stop pads would screach like a banshee?
Any ideas on how to shut them up?!
Last edited by bicyclridr4life; 06-01-18 at 08:49 PM.
06-01-18, 07:19 PM
#2
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mine started to do that (front) after about 75 miles. I just assumed the shoe needed a bit of sandpaper to clear any glaze.
since i'm not much of a mechanic, it will be interesting to learn the real reason & solution.
since i'm not much of a mechanic, it will be interesting to learn the real reason & solution.
06-01-18, 08:28 PM
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Undo the mounting bolts for the callipers and put some grease on the posts. This should change the resonant frequency of the system.
06-01-18, 08:35 PM
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mist the pads with some hair spray & let them dry.
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06-01-18, 09:53 PM
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I am not a big fan of the dual compound pads. They wear at different rates under different conditions, and it seems like twice as many reasons to squeal. Well, not twice as many, because the causes are many, or more accurately, the solutions are many and none are guaranteed to work.
The two most common are to change the amount of toe-in, and change pad compound. I have set them up silently with no toe-in, and a lot, and everything in between. Two matchbook covers thickness of toe-in is most often successful. People in wet climates swear by salmon pads, but in my dry climate they seldom work well. I like Dura-Ace pads the best. They almost never squeal; just occasionally when the weather changes.
Another word of warning: it seems like once a pad starts to squeal, it is hard to stop it.
The two most common are to change the amount of toe-in, and change pad compound. I have set them up silently with no toe-in, and a lot, and everything in between. Two matchbook covers thickness of toe-in is most often successful. People in wet climates swear by salmon pads, but in my dry climate they seldom work well. I like Dura-Ace pads the best. They almost never squeal; just occasionally when the weather changes.
Another word of warning: it seems like once a pad starts to squeal, it is hard to stop it.
06-01-18, 10:21 PM
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A small zip tie loose around the back of the pad helps setting up toe in. Just clamp the brakes, do up the bolt then pull the zip tie off. But yeah, I think the dual compound pads squeal a bit, mine do.
06-02-18, 07:51 AM
#9
Bicyclerider4life
Thread Starter
Thanks, everyone.
I think I'll put the OEM pads back on.
The "squeel" is more of a "screach", to be honest.
Yesterday, I had to brake while going past the city cemetery. I swear I heard a bunch of folk yell "HEY!!! WE'RE TRYING TO REST OVER HERE!!!!"
I think I'll put the OEM pads back on.
The "squeel" is more of a "screach", to be honest.
Yesterday, I had to brake while going past the city cemetery. I swear I heard a bunch of folk yell "HEY!!! WE'RE TRYING TO REST OVER HERE!!!!"
06-02-18, 08:01 AM
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Dead crowd this morning??
Try the hair spray before going thru the swap/labor
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07-11-18, 12:21 PM
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I have this issue, but ONLY on the front. I just had my LBS put the dual-compound KoolStop on my gravel bike. I can see they're toed in, both front and rear look the same. I clean the rims religiously with the green scrubby things and then with rubbing alcohol. I think I've got about 80mi on these now. The rear is dead silent. The front scares all the wildlife away. My rims are a little over a year old, wheels are true.
I had the stock pads in previously (Avid SD-5 brakes), and they were quiet. Would only make noise if wet or really dirty, but even then it was minimal.
I realize most of the braking power is coming from the front, but still, between the rear and front it's totally different--the rear is silent, the front, a screeching banshee on descents.
Is it too optimistic to think that it'll get better with more wear?
I had the stock pads in previously (Avid SD-5 brakes), and they were quiet. Would only make noise if wet or really dirty, but even then it was minimal.
I realize most of the braking power is coming from the front, but still, between the rear and front it's totally different--the rear is silent, the front, a screeching banshee on descents.
Is it too optimistic to think that it'll get better with more wear?
07-11-18, 12:29 PM
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I had this problem with V-Brakes. When I went back to cantis, using the same pads (kool stop dual compound), the squealing disappeared.
07-11-18, 01:04 PM
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yes. for a day. took everything apart, even 'greased the mounting bosses' and refiled the pads. again, after a day (25 miles) they started to squeal. I tried reversing them; same result. broke down and ordered new pads: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RGK0GOM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and THEY squeak.
queer thing is the koolstop rear pads as absolutely silent. if anyone has a trick to adjust brakes, I willing to try it.
queer thing is the koolstop rear pads as absolutely silent. if anyone has a trick to adjust brakes, I willing to try it.
07-11-18, 01:06 PM
#15
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No problems KS Salmon Short on Double pivot and V, and eagle claw cantilever,
and even in my Magura Hydro Rim Brakes,
and KS organic compound disc pads too
and even in my Magura Hydro Rim Brakes,
and KS organic compound disc pads too
07-11-18, 01:28 PM
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yes. for a day. took everything apart, even 'greased the mounting bosses' and refiled the pads. again, after a day (25 miles) they started to squeal. I tried reversing them; same result. broke down and ordered new pads: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RGK0GOM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and THEY squeak.
queer thing is the koolstop rear pads as absolutely silent. if anyone has a trick to adjust brakes, I willing to try it.
queer thing is the koolstop rear pads as absolutely silent. if anyone has a trick to adjust brakes, I willing to try it.
07-11-18, 02:01 PM
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I have screeching Kool-Stop salmon pads on my Trek 720 commuter. For me, it has become a feature - like a bell - to warn others of my approach.
07-11-18, 02:11 PM
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So this other brand squeaks too? My original stock Avid pads didn't squeak. Only since the Koolstops does the front squeak(rear is silent like yours). I will try sanding tonight. All else fails, I'll just go back to the stock pad, at least on the front. I notice some increased stopping power with the KS, but it's not really a deal-breaker.
07-11-18, 02:27 PM
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I'm gonna swing it by my LBS tomorrow--they said they'll try and figure it out as they feel KS are usually quiet....
07-12-18, 05:48 PM
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Well, I've had success for now it seems. I started increasing the toe-in little by little, to where I've got just shy of 2mm toe-in on one side(like a nickel, roughly). The other side is a hair less. Seems like a significant gap to me, but I'm a noob. More toe-in than the rear wheel for sure now, but my understanding is the front is more prone to this issue due to having more flex from the fork(?). Is it OK for the toe-in to be different from one side to the other on the same wheel? They're close , but not exactly the same. I assume the pads will just wear accordingly?
I've got the front now squeal free, at least as far as my brief neighborhood test goes. We'll see how she does on my next descent down Mt. Lowe....
I've got the front now squeal free, at least as far as my brief neighborhood test goes. We'll see how she does on my next descent down Mt. Lowe....
07-13-18, 09:20 AM
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07-13-18, 09:37 AM
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My GF has those salmon "classic" Kool Stop pads on the front of her 1970's Schwinn Breeze. They make a putrid noise akin to a cat (or maybe a squirrel or mongoose) being strangled, but she likes it because it definitely makes people notice she is coming.
07-13-18, 11:49 AM
#24
Bicyclerider4life
Thread Starter
220 grit wet or dry scuff on the rim braking surface, followed by a brake cleaner wipe down, and a 220 grit wet or dry scuff on the pads followed by a rubbing alcohol wipe down seems to have fixed the squeel ...
At least it hasn't squeeled in the 200 or so miles since.
At least it hasn't squeeled in the 200 or so miles since.
07-15-18, 07:39 PM
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okay; i'll give those both a try tomorrow as well as adjusting the toe in a bit.
thanks for the tips.
and I have less dorkie-ness with the comfort others have experienced the same problem.
thanks for the tips.
and I have less dorkie-ness with the comfort others have experienced the same problem.