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Message started by phasender on 11/17/06 at 08:39:24

Title: Squealing brakes
Post by phasender on 11/17/06 at 08:39:24

A couple weeks ago it was raining a lot, and after riding around in it for a few days, I noticed that the front brake started squeeling when I braked. It's a '97 with 2800 miles on it, so I assume that the brake pads aren't worn out. My guess was that some dirt or sludge or whatever had gotten lodged in the front brake pad in all the rain. A week later, it was still doing it, so I bought some brake cleaner/lubricant spray and sprayed out the whole thing, making sure it didn't drip on the tire. That fixed it for about a day, but then it started up again. I repeated that a few times. I still have plenty of braking power, but the squealing is really annoying, so I'd like to fix it. Any ideas, guys?

Oh, also, when I shift to first or to second, a lot of times it won't engage. When I try to shift, it feels like I'm trying to press something into a spinning gear, and it just doesn't want to slide in. Third and fourth gear are fine, as is shifting into neutral. Also, sometimes when I down shift into first, it won't shift at all until I release the clutch a little. Usually I squeeze the clutch all the way when I shift. I asked about this before and someone said something about turning a bolt a couple splines, but I couldn't figure out what that meant.

Thanks guys, you're all awesome. You, a set of wrenches and a little duct tape are what keep me and my pretty little LS650 rolling.

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Bri_Fri on 11/17/06 at 11:41:43

Yes I have the same problem, really loud screeching...haven't really tried to fix it though ::).

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by barry68v10 on 11/17/06 at 12:49:45

Same problem here. Good break performance and long pad life generally means squeeky brakes, especially on economy built brake assemblies. I have a 1998 with 1400 miles on it.

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by mickthelimey on 11/17/06 at 14:53:43

Break pads are cheap enough to replace,takes about 30 minutes.problem solved

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by torque on 11/17/06 at 15:32:57

mickthelimey wrote:

Break pads are cheap enough to replace,takes about 30 minutes.problem solved

i tried 6 differant companys of pads and they all squeak, get a wave or drilled rotor and it will stop,but u really dont need to use front brakes on the savage ,unless you have to do a brake test ;) and on your clutch,look for the round screw to the right of the clutch handle,unscrew it untill your clutch handle has only a little bit of play.

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by firsts40 on 11/17/06 at 23:11:19

I am with the rest of you. My 2006 S40 also has a squeeky front brake. It isn't all the time, but about half the time it will squeek. It has about 1900 miles on it and it has done the squeeky think since about 600 miles. It has plenty of braking power, so I think it is just one of the many little quirks the Savage/S40 has. The only bad thing about it, is when you are in traffic riding this sharp looking bike that has caught many eyes and you go to stop and they hear that squeeking.
:-[

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Steve530 on 11/18/06 at 10:27:50

The brakes on my Savage squeal a bit now and then. I don't worry about it much, but my understanding (from car experience) is that brakes squeal because the pads are moving in the caliper.

It's the metal of the backing pad rubbing on the caliper that causes the squeal. The cure is to use some disc brake anti-squeal compound where the surfaces contact. I use anti-sieze compound on the backs and sliding surfaces of the pads. You have to be careful not to get the stuff on the friction surfaces. Don't do it if you are not certain where to put the compound.

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by phasender on 11/18/06 at 10:48:06

So it's either just a savage thing, or try the anti-seize compound. Think I might try the anti-seize stuff this winter. I'm trying to do a handlebar mod now.

Have to agree with firsts40. It's great having a sharp looking bike but when a girl's riding on the back of it, you don't want to have problems shifting into first or have her asking if the squealing is you!

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Reelthing on 11/18/06 at 12:08:35

Yes some anti-squeal on the back of the pads helps - takes about 5 mins to do

the other thing that helps is to light sand the rotor with some 400-600 grit paper

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by spike on 11/18/06 at 18:54:58

My 06 I got 5 1/2 mo's ago has squealed from day one. I have 3000 mi on it. When I researched it before I bought it I had found that to be a comman problem. I have not tried the anti-squeal compound, have seen it around and have wondered about it. Think I might give it a try. Always having people asking what that squeal is.
As far as the shifting, has it done it from day one, or just somewhat recent like it might be starting to go out of adjustment?

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by azjay on 11/19/06 at 05:18:32

i haven't looked for it in quite a while, but the auto parts stores used to sell "disc brake quiet" or some name to that effect. it is basically a silicone type material, similar to gasket stuff, that you apply to the back of the disc pads, but specifically formulated to deal with pressure being applied by the calipers. i just bought a new set of rear pads for debby's harley and they squeal, so i'll be going to look for that stuff, i'll let y'all know what i find. her suzuki squeals the rear brake, the front is quiet ???

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by mickthelimey on 11/19/06 at 18:09:52

torque wrote:

What kind of motor cyclist are you torque? don't need to use the front brake ?? wow ! I wonder why they put two huge disc brakes on the front and a single small one on the rear of big race bikes,your front brake is your main sauce of stopping power on a bike,a slightly different tecnique for wet conditions,but your front brake is the man ,so to speak

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Reelthing on 11/20/06 at 08:44:31

azjay wrote:

her suzuki squeals the rear brake, the front is quiet ???

had a pretty good squeal on the back of the '95 - I replace the oem with ebc's cleaned all the dust out of the drum and did a light sand with 600grit - nat a sound since

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Savage_Rob on 11/20/06 at 10:18:12

Reelthing wrote:

had a pretty good squeal on the back of the '95 - I replace the oem with ebc's cleaned all the dust out of the drum and did a light sand with 600grit - nat a sound since

Planning on doing mine sometime soon, mostly to get a really good look at 'em. The external wear indicator always seems to indicate they have forever to go. I must admit I use the front more than the back but I just want to check out the pads for myself. When I do, I'll put ceramics on front and back both. I haven't looked in the manual or really looked that closely at the wheel itself yet but I'm assuming it'll mean pulling the rear wheel to access the pads. Is that correct?

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by verslagen1 on 11/20/06 at 11:29:30

Yes, you have to pull the whell to acces the rear brake.
Pretty straight forward, I did it without looking at the manual.

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Savage_Rob on 11/20/06 at 12:27:40

Swatta figured, thanks.

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by Starlifter on 11/21/06 at 18:52:43

Yeah Torque, ...don't use your front brake?? You live or die in an emergency situation by what you do with your front brake, and by what you do not do with the rear brake. :-/

Title: Re: Squealing brakes
Post by mickthelimey on 11/21/06 at 23:03:50

Torque is only 20 years old, so there is your answer on the " don't use front brake question" I hope he makes it to his 21st.