Squeaky brakes - dangerous?

[daveinlim]

My front brakes are squeaking at low speed. After about 15mph it stops or maybe I just can't hear it. 

 

The squeak is at a particular part of the disc rather than a constant noise.

It's recently been serviced so probably not the pads needing to be replaced.

 

I'm guessing it dirt trapped in the caliper but I'm wary of taking the brakes off myself. 

 

So my questions are is this potentially dangerous and is there a way to clean the brakes without removing the caliper or should I just bring it to the mechanic to look over?

[Tinkicker]

Not dangerous.  It is just high frequency vibration by the pads rattling in their mounts.

 

It may go away if the pads are new and bedding in.

[Grumpy Old Git]

Have you tried spinning the wheel while on the centre stand? If the brakes are catching at just one part of the disc, then your disc may be slightly warped.

 

 

[manxie49]

You could also try using some loctite disc brake quiet, smeared on the back of the pads.  It dampens down the high frequency vibrations that @Tinkicker mentioned.  Not expensive and it worked ok for me.

[daveinlim]

5 hours ago, Grumpy Old Git said:

Have you tried spinning the wheel while on the centre stand? If the brakes are catching at just one part of the disc, then your disc may be slightly warped.

 

 

 

CBR so no centre stand unfortunately. 

 

5 hours ago, Grumpy Old Git said:

Have you tried spinning the wheel while on the centre stand? If the brakes are catching at just one part of the disc, then your disc may be slightly warped.

 

 

 

The pads aren't new but aren't worn out yet either.

5 hours ago, manxie49 said:

You could also try using some loctite disc brake quiet, smeared on the back of the pads.  It dampens down the high frequency vibrations that @Tinkicker mentioned.  Not expensive and it worked ok for me.

 

That probably would help. I can give it a try. 

 

[RideWithStyles]

As tinker says. 
Clean and I mean clean! the pads, pistons and caliper, smear(!!!) of hi temp or copper grease to back of the pad. 

Edited June 30, 2024 by RideWithStyles
Autocorrect bs

[husoi]

As added clean, you can use brake cleaner on the disks.

Not sure carb cleaner does the same.

[RideWithStyles]

Off memory it has a higher content ratio of a/some particular chemical(s), more on the idea it vaporises very quickly and particles it collects can burn a bit better while cleaning with little or no brushing.
Brake cleaner isn’t for burning but stays wet a bit longer so at least some scrubbing/rubbing can be done.

Easier to find brake cleaner especially nowadays, even Halfords BC is “fair” useful.

only a few things give the squeak, pads (some grades can do it m but most normal ones are fine so if they are ill seating this can give harmonics), discs (stuck or loose button/s) and bolts (loose)

If it has one Give the holding/hanging pin (that slots through the pad) and spring a clean and inspect for wear or ridges even small ones can effect it with un even wear and being hinged- light sand paper if needed.
if another way is to reset its position, while the callipers off for a clean, the pistons are pushed back some what, lightly tighten (hand tight) the bolts and keep applying the brakes to get them into the seating position, then either while the brakes are applied or not (up to you how pedantic you wish) finally torque the bolts up. 

So back to it- it’s not dangerous yet? Depends on which part is doing it and how bad or the wear too uneven could be. certainly your potentially leaving braking efficiency and a bigger bill to come sooner if it gets ignored for too long.

tru tension roller is a good tool especially as it doesn’t need paddock stands or balance- just the side stand

works very well for back and front wheel cleaning, chain maintenance and brakes too. 

 

 

Edited July 1, 2024 by RideWithStyles
Auto bs

[AstronautNinja]

Noise is almost always a dirt issue, happens on all my bikes (leg driven)

 

I give the pads and disc a once over with brake cleaner, then 1000 grade wet and dry to freshen the surface somewhat. I presume the same will apply to motorbike setups considering there almost identical

[Phil1]

Almost always just dirt and grime causing them to stick in a certain position and vibrate at high frequency. 

 

Strip and clean the calipers and pads fully, check for embedded stones/grit. Pay close attention to the slide pins as this can cause them to seize in one position and favour one pad side over using both equally. 

 

Very light smear of copper slip on the back of the pads. Some say red rubber grease on the slide pins, some say completely clean and dry (that's an argument for another day). 

 

If they're floating discs, the floats often seize and can easily be freed with a cap head screw and nut locked through the hole in the middle and turn them with some brake cleaner spray, they should be free to spin with a slight resistance and not completely locked solid, bit time consuming doing them all both sides however. 

Edited July 13, 2024 by Phil1