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View Full Version : Time to replace the rear brake pads?


luvmyguys
06-14-2013, 08:52 AM
Wednesday, I did some cleaning on the bike (though it looks like I missed a few spots). Last night, I took an easy ride out with my son, and the rear brakes were squeaking horribly! Before clean - no squeaky. After clean - big squeaky. I tried cleaning the rims and brake pads last night, but it didn't help the squeaking. I'm looking, though, and I'm wondering if maybe it's time to replace the rear brake pads? I've got around 1400 miles on the bike - is that typical?

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ny biker
06-14-2013, 09:25 AM
My brakes squeal after I've cleaned the rims if I don't wipe them down really really really well after cleaning them. Try that. With a dry cloth, or cloth that is damp with a little clean water.

You can still see the ridges in the brake pads so they should still be okay.
Eden
06-14-2013, 09:53 AM
They don't look too worn- they might have gotten a bit glazed though - if they continue to squeal, take some fine sand paper to them.
mariacycle
06-14-2013, 11:41 AM
Simple green on rims if not wiped off can cause bad squealing. Good luck!
indysteel
06-14-2013, 11:48 AM
Simple green on rims if not wiped off can cause bad squealing. Good luck!

Amen. Wipe the rims down with rubbing alcohol and see if that helps.
ridebikeme
06-14-2013, 12:42 PM
I second/third cleaning the rims, and would definitely take a file/emory board to the pads.
luvmyguys
06-14-2013, 12:47 PM
Amen. Wipe the rims down with rubbing alcohol and see if that helps.

That's exactly what I did last night. Didn't help.

ETA: I'll try lightly sanding the pads.
Hi Ho Silver
06-15-2013, 04:37 AM
If the brakes didn't squeal before cleaning the bike, then the squeal is the result of stick-slip behavior - the pad is sticking to the rim too well. I experience this on my bikes after I give the rims and pads a good cleaning with soap or degreaser. The easiest cure I found was to dab some talcum powder on the rims' braking surface, activate the brakes a couple times, then thoroughly wipe the powder off the rims and the pads with a dry cloth. Be forewarned, the first few times you brake after this, you might not get your usual full braking power.