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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Rear brake squeal
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Message started by n1jdu on 06/22/10 at 04:50:27

Title: Rear brake squeal
Post by n1jdu on 06/22/10 at 04:50:27

I haven't ridden my '04 Savage in a year (or two), but recently put it back on the road :-)

As soon as I started riding it I remembered that my rear brake squeals .. every time it is applied strong enough to make a difference in my speed. This was the case when I stopped riding, but when the bike was "new" it was fine. I don't remember when the squeal started but the bike has 11k miles on it.

The other day .. approaching a stop .. I applied the brakes and instead of the 'normal' squeal there was a *very* loud squeal .. almost like something was broke/breaking ... but now .. THE SQUEAL IS GONE!

My question: what causes squeal on drum brakes .. and why would it go away suddenly like that?

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by spacepirates on 06/22/10 at 09:53:27

well, i'm not 100% sure about your case, but it is my understanding that most squeals are caused by debris in the brake.

so i guess it is *possible* that when you applied your brakes hard it cleared the debris out. i sometimes use that trick when i know i've got dirt or whatnot in my front brakes.

on the other hand, it could be that your pads were low and scraping against the metal on the brake shoe, and that you just busted the hell out of them.

but, like i said, not too sure. i've never had the guts to dive into the drum brake, despite having replacement pads ready and all...

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by n1jdu on 06/22/10 at 10:47:21

Thanks for the reply. However I did not apply "hard" breaking when I heard the loud noise. I was on a city street at less than 30 mph, and as soon as I heard the noise I let up on the rear brake (and finished the stop with the front)

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by verslagen1 on 06/22/10 at 22:19:22

I'd open it up and check it out.

The dust and moisture will make it squeal.
Ever since I started using the rear brakes just a little when ever I'm slowing the squeal has gone away. 1st time use them hard till they get hot. then the squeal will go away.

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by jabman on 06/23/10 at 00:35:52

i have the same problem it does make people cross quickly at crossing though because it sounds like your unable to stop ;D

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by bill67 on 06/23/10 at 12:19:10

If a rear brake isn't used much its more likely to squeal try using it more.

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by drums1 on 06/27/10 at 14:51:21

Mine have squeeled forever. When I had the rear tire off to fix the flat I went in and roughed up the shoe surface and the inside of drum with emery cloth. I beveled the contact edges and cleaned it all up with brake cleaner. Didn't make a dam bit of difference. Squeeled just the same. So I just let it squeel, as I can't afford new shoes and I'm not taking it all apart again until I can. I do get some weird looks from people in the cars next to me. Oh well.....

Title: Re: Rear brake squeal
Post by Routy on 06/29/10 at 12:19:10

If it was a real problem, I'd drop the shoes off at the clutch and brake lining place, have some soft lining put on......end up w/ no squeals and less lever pressure for more stopping power.
Or else w-d it ! ;)