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Noisy Front brakes!
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:45 am
by lolhoward
I recently painted my front calipers (very carefully) with out taking them off, but now, about 3 weeks later im getting an awful sqeak when braking slowish (not heavy braking). I think its coincedence but just wondered if any of you experts think otherwise or if theres anything else you think it could be. The disc looks fine and not worn. Not too sure on pads. Is there any techniques (easy) of checking if there worn etc.
Thanks for help.
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:14 pm
by jonnopolo
Have you tried looking at the pads?
If you can't see them through the wheel spokes, just take the wheels off and look. Remember that worn (right down) pads will damage the discs!
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:46 pm
by lolhoward
Dont want to sound too stupid but how do you tell when the pads are worn. Is there a set depth?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:40 pm
by jonnopolo
Yes - minimum thickness is 7mm. I've worn mine down to less than this, so it's only a recommendation, but don't let them wear down to the metal, otherwise you'll knacker the discs. Hope this helps.
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:51 pm
by Ian_R
not trying to be funny here, If they aint worn or needing replaced, its probaly a case of something being stuck between the pad and disc like a small stone or something.
If your confident and able to, take the caliper off and clean the pads and discs.
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:01 pm
by lolhoward
thats great, i'll check the thickness. Iam confident but would rather not touch brakes, being a safety device incase I cock something up. Might have a go.
I'll take the wheels off again and check the distance and try and clean them and if no joy remove them.
Thanks for help guys
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:56 pm
by young dubber
1 more thing! i was experiencing a very loud squeek and i also had plenty left on my pads and my discs arnt bad! couldnt see much up with them so i got the pressure washer out and blasted the discs and pads (while wheels are on) and my squeek disapeared! must have been build up brake dust between the pad and disc. just what happend to me! hope this helps
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:05 pm
by lolhoward
Cheers, I might try that this weekend
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:22 pm
by Torq-Al
Just be careful with what you get onto the face of the pads if you take them out to clean them off, get yourself some brake cleaner, or similar to do the job.
Don't want you to contaminate the pads & have to change them unnecessarily! Check the discs for scoring whilst you're there, run your finger from the inside edge to the outside on both sides of the disc, if it feels relatively smooth thats ok, if it feels full of peaks & troughs, then will need changing (inc pads)
That said, its an easy & straightforward job to do.
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:44 pm
by lolhoward
Thanks. Any one got a guide out there how to remove the pads.
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:53 pm
by young dubber
from memory take wheel off and there is 2 alan key bolts hidden by plastic caps undo them and calpier should lift off then take pads out. its only from memory so im not that sure as it has been a while since i done mine think the alan key is 5 or 6. hope this helps
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:15 pm
by lolhoward
Cheers mate, i'll have a look
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:22 pm
by young dubber
if you got good strong fingernails you should be able to pop them off lol
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:32 pm
by Bepe
get some degreaser sprayed in the brakes and shot with the pressure washer, works a treat, do this twice a week after journeys
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:56 pm
by lolhoward
Cheers, got a pressure washer, gonna try it tomorrow.