What are the solutions for a motorcycle's screeching brake noise?
2 Answers
Flush the brake drum and brake shoes with alcohol. Oil contamination between the drum brake shoes and the brake drum causes slipping and produces a sharp screeching sound. Sand the surface of the brake shoes with 800-grit sandpaper. If the surface of the drum brake shoes is too smooth, it can cause slipping and produce a sharp screeching sound.
I've been riding motorcycles for over a decade, and brake squealing is all too common. Let's start with the simplest scenario: after rain or washing your bike, if the brake discs get dirty with mud or sand, just brake a few times while riding to wear it off and the noise will stop. If the brakes squeal during dry conditions, it's likely that the brake pads are worn down to the metal backing plates - replace them immediately! For DIY replacement, remember to use zip ties to secure the brake caliper before removing the wheel to prevent fluid leakage. Another possibility is that the edges of the brake pads are too sharp; just smooth them out slightly with sandpaper. Oh, and when installing new brake pads, always apply anti-squeal paste to the metal backing plates, otherwise they'll still squeal. Final reminder: if the brake discs get deeply grooved by the metal plates, simply replacing the pads won't help - you'll need to replace the discs as well.
