Front brake squealing

[Mikep328]

Agree. After refurbishing my front brake system NONE of the five different pads I tried/bedded-in squealed.  So it seems very arbitrary...

[taysidedragon]

Any squealing noise must come from a vibration,  either from the pads or part of the caliper/pivot arm assembly. Bevelling the edge of the pads cures the squeal in some cases, but not all so that could point to the noise coming from somewhere other than the pads.
The nylon disc on the back of one pad was put there to reduce squeal, I assume, so it looks like Honda deduced that it came from that source.
My brake squeals so I'm going to change to EBC Organic pads and see if that makes any difference.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

Same here, never had any issues with old asbestos pads, I was tempted to put them back in but there's not much meat left on them.  I currently have EBC pads fitted around 2005 ish ,   I think it must be something to do with the combination of resin binders in the pads and the stainless steel disc that makes the issue more likely.

The only alternative is pads that are more abrasive but the you have increased disc wear.

Back in the day, I remember having to give the caliper the heel of my boot at traffic lights on a few occasions  because it was dragging but there was never any squeal.

Regards
Dave

[TrickyMicky]

I can only relate to my own bike, and unfortunately I cannot remember the brand of pads I fitted. They squeal like stuffed pigs when cold, and just 'feathering' the brake, especially when pushing it out of the garage first thing.  The whole brake system (except the disc)  was renewed 6 years ago and the squealing started about a year after that. I'v dismantled it a couple of times to change pads, clean and coppaslip the pivot pin, wet & dry the disc and pads, which is effective for a couple of months or so. The noise is loudest, as said, when cold and only braking very lightly. Fairly firm braking on a warm disc is virtually silent. Do not recollect hearing about this problem on many other vehicles, but, I am wondering, are these CB 4 cylinder models the only vehicles to be equipped with a stainless disc, and didn't give a problem until the end of asbestos?   Just as an aside, back in the early 90's,  I used to drive a Volvo coach which had drum brakes, remember them?, and when it was first fitted with asbestos free linings they were quiet until they reached running temperature, then the noise became horrendous, I could alter the note by changing the pedal pressure!  Can't remember the outcome as I changed companies.

[Mikep328]

Excluding pads, are the "squealers" using "HONDA"  brake parts, aftermarket brake parts, or a combination?  Just wondering - an OEM piston, for example, may have a different "vibration period" compared to an aftermarket piston.

What about brake lines?  Could a more "expandable" brake line allow pulsing/ vibration compared to a stiffer brake line as the pads move across any unevenness in the rotor surface.?

OR...could uneven torque of the rotor attachment fittings contribute?

[exvalvesetdabbler]

Everything in my front brake is OEM except for dot 5 brake fluid.

There is a little play on the pivot pin, it's well greased so I wouldn't expect the squeal to be coming from there. Pretty sure its the glaze on the pads which is then depositing on the disc. A quick wipe of the pad surface with medium sandpaper always clears it.

Mine is probably made worse by too much gentle braking in urban traffic.

Regards
Dave

[Mikep328]

I don't know if this will help in every (any?) other case but when I go out on my motos, I always do a couple of "emergency stops" at the beginning of each ride as traffic permits - braking as hard as possible from 50-60MPH .  On my modern bikes that activates the ABS; on the 400F the front tire will "howl" just short of lockup.  I don't REALLY know if this procedure helps keep the brake system in good order but I've convinced myself that it does!  

[Ken4004]

Front brake update,

I have run through the pad bedding in procedure after removing pads and rubbing off the glaze with emery cloth and as soon as I applied the brake I had the squeak but it has improved after a 50 mile ride but is still there.
I think this is because the brakes and disc were getting hot and this seem improve the squealing which now is only slight.
You could hear the brakes squealing a bit before I went out for a ride will pushing it around to get the bike out of the garage.
I think I will let the pads wear down again and continue to clean and de glaze over a couple of rides and see if they improve.

Again thanks for all the advice , a very interesting subject that has provoked a good chat on the forum.

[Bryanj]

If its squealing pushing it around the caliper/pivot is not moving free enough or slight hydraulic pressure is staying on, lines/master

[exvalvesetdabbler]

For something to compare with mine start to squeal after about 600 miles after deglazing. But I do quite a bit of around town riding so you tend to be on the brakes gently quite a bit.

When it was mot tested the numbers were always good even when squeaking.

Regards
Dave

[Ken4004]

For something to compare with mine start to squeal after about 600 miles after deglazing. But I do quite a bit of around town riding so you tend to be on the brakes gently quite a bit.

When it was mot tested the numbers were always good even when squeaking.

Regards
Dave

.

I have not had an issue with the braking force it stops quite well for an old bike,

[exvalvesetdabbler]

If its squealing pushing it around the caliper/pivot is not moving free enough or slight hydraulic pressure is staying on, lines/master

Like this

https://youtube.com/shorts/IIXshEcfX28?si=oC4CLmS_usQEw9R_

Regards
Dave

[Ken4004]

Ok thanks Dave

[Ken4004]

If its squealing pushing it around the caliper/pivot is not moving free enough or slight hydraulic pressure is staying on, lines/master

Like this

https://youtube.com/shorts/IIXshEcfX28?si=oC4CLmS_usQEw9R_

Regards

Hi Dave thanks for the video, just checked the brake arm as you suggested and it’s very free so behaving like yours , just going to scuff up the pads again while it’s off.
Dave

[Ken4004]

Slight glazing after bedding in again but not as bad as it was probably going to have to live with cleaning the pads every now and then simple job so not the end of the world