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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Front brake squeal
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Message started by RidgeRunner13 on 03/31/11 at 19:22:08

Title: Front brake squeal
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 03/31/11 at 19:22:08

I noticed today there was NO play-slack-clearance at my front brake lever. So I pulled it off & started checking for dirt or corrosion that could be making it that way..... I couldn't find anything wrong, so I decided to file away where the stop 'tab' hit the master cylinder. I stopped when I had just a few thousandths clearance before the lever touching the plunger & went for a ride. :)
After a few blocks of stops & starts, the squeal- squeak went away. ;D Another plus is the bike is much easier to roll backwards now. Apparently the contact from the lever was creating drag by not quite releasing the m/c plunger all the way. >:(

I'd be willing to bet this contributes to the relatively short life of front brake pads on these bikes. I would highly recommend checking to see if yours has this same issue. 8-)

Hope this helps someone else!!!

Title: Re: Front brake squeal
Post by verslagen1 on 03/31/11 at 21:35:31

The master cylinder is designed to refill upon every release of the lever.
Unless the contact point of the lever is so long that it prevents the plunger from achieving full travel, thus shortening the release of the caliper.

It's worth a try, but I think you be at the same squeaky spot as you started within a couple of days. Let us know of your long term results.

Title: Re: Front brake squeal
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 04/01/11 at 21:59:06

I managed to put about 20 miles on Grizzly (my Savage) today & I could tell the difference when I backed down the ramp out of my shed. Bike rolls much easier now. :) The squeak it made at low speeds is gone!!! It may come back later but for now it no longer squeals when braking either.... :o

The lever was making enough contact to NOT allow the m/c plunger to come out against its' stop, thus holding a tiny amount of pressure to the caliper. >:( My V-Star has an adjustment screw on the brake lever so you can adjust the clearance between lever & plunger. That's what gave me the idea to check the clearance.

If your bike is hard to roll backwards or feels like the front brake is dragging, CHECK for clearance............It can't hurt! ;)