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Old 12-18-04, 02:45 AM
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My Disc Brakes

Recently my disc brakes have been squeeking a lot. I don't know if this is normal because I just got them, so if anyone could help me with this, that would be great. Also, the back brake retracts really slowly. Might there be a problem with my cables? Maybe something sticky? Thanks in advance for any advice. Btw, my brakes are Avid mechanical disc brakes.
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Old 12-18-04, 07:56 AM
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Lube the cables, check for kinks in the housing. Try re-aligning your calipers with the rotors, switch pads from front to back, and lightly scuff the rotors with emory paper. Any or all of those things should help.
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Old 12-18-04, 08:24 AM
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Jeez, I hope I don't have that problem...I think that could get old real fast... I'm currently switching over to Avid BB7's.

Is this a common problem with ALL disks or mostly just the Avid Mech's?

Most if not all of the posts I've read about disk squeals have been the Avid Mech's but most were rain related.
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Old 12-18-04, 09:59 AM
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Avid squeel ALOT when wet. If your rotor isnt wet, I suggest cleaning your pads, either bake them, or file them down. Rub the rotor and the pads down with rubbing alchohol. It sounds like you just have bad cable routing to the rear brake though.
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Old 12-18-04, 10:28 AM
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I have Hayes mech disk brakes and they squealed quite a bit, once I had worn out the original pad and replaced them with a set of Azteks, the squealing was reduced quite a bit.
I am on my fourth set of Azteks, no significant squealing, try replacing the pads, the factory ones could be inferior.
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Old 12-18-04, 11:53 AM
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I would suggest cleaning the rotors and filing the pads like DjRider said. Alot of times the pads/rotor kind of glazes over and it causes the squeeling.
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Old 12-18-04, 11:56 AM
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my avid bb7s were squealing like mad but i cleaned off the rotors and pads with rubbing alcohol and then rode around for a while and its all better. rubbing alcohol costs like 1.50
so go get some right now and go riding!
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Old 12-18-04, 12:51 PM
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clean the discs with disc brake cleaner or rubbing alcohol, then use some steel wool or an emery cloth to get any glaze off of the pads, and allow them to rebed into the rotors.. good as new.
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Old 12-18-04, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by handlebarsfsr
clean the discs with disc brake cleaner or rubbing alcohol, then use some steel wool or an emery cloth to get any glaze off of the pads, and allow them to rebed into the rotors.. good as new.
NO BRAKE CLEANER. Use only denatured alcohol.
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Old 12-18-04, 04:46 PM
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Mine only squeal for a very short period when they're damp. Once the rotor gets squeegeed clean, they stop squealing. For what it's worth, my wavy rotors squeal less than the OEM Avid rotors did. They do seem to stop a little better, too. Basically they're just the rotor that comes with the Juicy 7's. I got 'em for $85 for the pair shipped.
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Old 12-18-04, 05:37 PM
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You can get disc brake cleaner especially for the job of well... cleaning your disc brakes. However Hayes recommend using Isopropyl (sp) Alchol to clean their brakes.
I do think that the problem will probably just be some grit in the pads so sand them down a bit and clean the rotor. And don't feel special, everyone's disc's squeel some time or another
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Old 12-19-04, 04:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Hopper
You can get disc brake cleaner especially for the job of well... cleaning your disc brakes. However Hayes recommend using Isopropyl (sp) Alchol to clean their brakes.
So does Avid. I've also found that Aztec pads squeel less than the stock Avid pads.
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Old 12-19-04, 06:08 AM
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I may have to look into a set of aftermarket pads once I wear mine down to the point of uselessness.
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Old 12-19-04, 09:35 AM
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Does EBC make HH pads for Avid Mechs? I know on my Honda CBR they almost doubled the braking power...
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Old 12-19-04, 02:46 PM
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EBC makes red, green, and gold pads....the red are the DH compound, and increase the stopping power ALOT. They wear very fast though...

The Aztec pads are nice, and are cheap....but dont even try them in bad conditions.
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Old 12-19-04, 04:22 PM
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Wear very fast isn't even accurate. I burned through a set in 25 runs (62500 vert ft). Hayes last 4 times that easily.

I didn't find the power that much better, but it was there for sure.
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Old 12-19-04, 05:29 PM
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you think thats bad? Brand new set of Aztec, 3 practice runs, done.......cost me a race.
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Old 12-19-04, 11:06 PM
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Wow...they eat up that fast eh...so what pads offer the best balance...Performance to wear?
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Old 12-19-04, 11:25 PM
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I like the stock hayes. Best overall...

Yeah I did think that was bad haha compared to standard hayes. Never even heard of aztecs, but if I ever see them on sale I will make sure to avoid them.
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Old 12-20-04, 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by DjRider04
The Aztec pads are nice, and are cheap....but dont even try them in bad conditions.
Define bad. Because they've worked in everything I've thrown at them, mud, water, sand all the usual elements
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Old 12-20-04, 12:21 AM
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you've been ridin' your bike in the water... like a lake, or pond?
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Old 12-20-04, 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by dirtjumpP.1
you've been ridin' your bike in the water... like a lake, or pond?
<smacks forehead> Never had a water crossing?
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Old 12-20-04, 03:07 AM
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water can mean rain, puddles, road spray, etc. as well. FWIW, my BB7's squeal when I try to apply light pressure, but not when I really clamp down on them. Dampness just exacerbates the problem. It's something I've learned to live with. It's not a huge deal and if they squeal, I just pull a little harder and they shut up.
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Old 12-20-04, 12:44 PM
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ok i guess nobody got the joke, proceed in thinking im a complete idiot.
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Old 12-20-04, 06:52 PM
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yeah... we didn't really see it as a joke, I guess.
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