What Causes Motorcycle Brake Pad Noise?
3 Answers
Motorcycle brake pad noise can be attributed to the following reasons: Reason 1: Deformation of the brake disc or brake pad caused by external impact. Minor deformations may not be visible to the naked eye but can produce screeching sounds during use. Reason 2: Noise may occur when air humidity reaches a certain level. This type of noise is generally tolerable and tends to diminish or disappear as moisture evaporates from the brake pads after some riding. Reason 3: Presence of foreign objects in the braking system can also cause noise. Reason 4: Substandard brake pad quality. As consumable parts, brake pads typically aren't covered by warranty unless there are manufacturing defects such as fractures due to poor steel tempering or excessive wear. In such cases, it's advisable to file a claim with the 4S store or manufacturer - don't hesitate to pursue this legitimate right.
I've been riding motorcycles for nearly a decade, and brake squealing is truly annoying. The most common cause is excessively worn brake pads, where the metal backing plate directly rubs against the brake disc, producing a sound as grating as nails on a chalkboard. Last time my bike made that screeching noise, I took it apart and found the brake pads were only as thick as a coin. Another situation is when the brake discs get wet after washing the bike or develop rust on rainy days, causing a high-pitched squeal when braking, which usually goes away after riding a few kilometers to dry them off. If newly replaced brake pads also squeak, it might be due to not applying anti-squeal paste during installation, resulting in poor adhesion. The most troublesome case is when the brake discs get scratched or develop grooves. My friend's bike had this issue last time, and grinding them down cost over 200 yuan. If you hear persistent squealing, first check the brake pad thickness—replace them immediately if they're under 3mm.
Last week, I just dealt with the brake squeaking issue on my motorcycle. Focus on checking five key areas: First, the brake pad thickness—replace if it's below 3mm. Second, check for oil contamination on the brake disc; chain oil splashed on it can cause squeaking. Third, inspect the brake disc for flatness—if warped, it needs to be machined on a lathe. Fourth, examine whether the caliper pins retract properly—rust or sticking can cause dragging. Finally, recall if you’ve recently ridden through mud or water, as sand particles trapped in the brake pads can also be annoying. The mechanic taught me a trick: lightly apply the brakes and rotate slowly a few times—if the noise occurs at a specific spot, the brake disc is likely warped. If you’re doing DIY maintenance, remember to use dedicated brake cleaner spray—it cleans much better than regular cleaners.
