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Thread: squeaky brakes

Created on: 02/18/15 12:04 PM

Replies: 13

tib



Joined: 05/18/14

Posts: 52

squeaky brakes
02/18/15 12:04 PM

I recently replaced the front brake pads on my 09.
no thanks to crappy kaw dealer manual, but with many thanks from Rook's excellent step by step tutorial.
After allowing for break in they are now squeaking at low speeds. It is annoying. They seem to be operating correctly.
Possible causes?
what to look for?
fixes? remedies?

I must admit that due to being lazy, I did not wash rotors with soap and water like Rook instructed.
Could it be that simple?
thanx
TIB

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Rook


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Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21236

RE: squeaky brakes
02/18/15 12:23 PM

I doubt the soap and water makes all that much dif. It's just to remove any residue that may have been applied to the rotors to inhibit rust while sitting in a warehouse somewhere. I'm sure a lot of people don't bother with that.

If these are OEM pads, it is not unusual that squeek at low speed braking. I' used to hear that all the time. It's just the pad chattering from light contact with the rotor. You noticed those pads are a bit floppy in there, didn't you? They're designed to slide easily over the pins and in the calipers. The caliper piston moves in and out perfectly straight and smooth because it is hydraulic but the pads just hang in position loosely.

I think my OEM pads and rotors got less squeaky with some use but I remember it would crop up now and then. I have been happy with the combination of OEM rotors and EBC HHH scintered pads. They were nice and quiet all the time. I started to get a higher speed groan once in while with that combination which is more disconcerting.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

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VicThing


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Joined: 07/17/14

Posts: 2402

RE: squeaky brakes
02/18/15 5:25 PM

There will probably be people here that tell you didn't break the pads in right. There will be people that tell you how to solve the squealing.

Here's what I'm going to tell you. Just get used to it and enjoy the bike (cause pretty much whatever you do it's gonna come back).

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Grn14


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Location: Montana

Joined: 02/25/09

Posts: 15511

RE: squeaky brakes
02/19/15 6:51 PM

I'll add here...I've never had front break squeal(on my 07 on up to my present 2013).And I've changed LOTS of front pads...from several mfg's.It should NOT be squeaking.They don't come from the factory like that.What pads did you go with?There are also pad backing plates(made of teflon or something)that go behind the pad attached to the rear surface(that meets the piston).Those might help.How did you break these in?And what type are they?


* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/19/2015 @ 6:53 PM *

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jimmymac


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Location:

K.C. MO Northland

Joined: 07/02/14

Posts: 454

RE: squeaky brakes
02/19/15 7:57 PM

My brakes sound like a school bus after a ride with my Wife. Grab and handful of those things and stop hard. That clears it out for me. You can't use the brakes nice and easy without noise. A few hard stops will clear it up, until you ride nice and easy again.

ZX14's aren't made to putt around. They're built to dominate the streets.

Go thrash that thing and get back to me.



Let's roll

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tib



Joined: 05/18/14

Posts: 52

RE: squeaky brakes
02/20/15 1:51 AM

They were EBC replacements of original OEM. Break in (brake in?) has been minimal. Less than 100mi Mebbe I need to givc em a little more time and quit crying as long as they can stop my fat ass like they are supposed to. At this point is mostly an annoyance, really can't argue with Green14.."they aint supposed to"
TIB

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Grn14


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Location: Montana

Joined: 02/25/09

Posts: 15511

RE: squeaky brakes
02/20/15 6:26 AM

You can still 'break em in' with that low mileage and 'minimal' 'break-in' as you mentioned.100 miles is the recommended amount to actually do the break in.

Take the bike up to 60 mph.Apply breaks HARD to almost stopping(speedwise).Do this ten times in a row.Your brakes should be squeal free now.


You most likely know...do NOT do this if there's traffic...be somewhere where you can do this safely.It's important to do the 10 braking sequences at one time.Also...do not stop while holding the brakes..let up just before the bike stops.


No doubt someone will say 'not necessary'...or "like this'...try it as I said,then post yer results;)EBC's are very good pads.HH Sintered.


* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/20/2015 @ 6:34 AM *

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darryle


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Location: ontario

Joined: 02/15/09

Posts: 1185

RE: squeaky brakes
02/20/15 11:45 AM

I've always used EBC or Ferrado pads,when the weather has been cold,less then 10celius mine would squeak till I stopped a couple times.the squeak always went away within 5 minutes
Hey Grn any word on the H2 delivery yet?


* Last updated by: darryle on 2/20/2015 @ 11:48 AM *



2012 14R,full hindle Evolution ,vortex rear sets,BST's with ceramic bearings,HID's,hyper pro damper and custom map 205.3 hp/120.2 torque

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Grn14


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Location: Montana

Joined: 02/25/09

Posts: 15511

RE: squeaky brakes
02/20/15 6:30 PM

Any word?...well,the dock strike seems to have been reconciled...at least for 10K workers in Long Beach and Los Angeles.Should be March then as Kawasaki said.

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tib



Joined: 05/18/14

Posts: 52

RE: squeaky brakes
03/26/15 11:22 PM

FOLLOWING UP.... the break in period has long gone. The brakes work just fine but still squeak at low speeds and when coming to a stop. I tried to let it be and ignore it, but can't. It's annoying and drives me nuts. What could be the cause for the squeak, and how can I eliminate it?

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buck20


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Location: Peoria, Arizona

Joined: 03/12/09

Posts: 325

RE: squeaky brakes
03/27/15 2:08 AM

There is a compound that goes on the back of the brake pads prior to install that stops that.



To much to list!

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Rook


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Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21236

RE: squeaky brakes
03/27/15 4:28 AM

The brake pads fit rather loosely in the calipers. I guess this is so that they do not bind when they have to slide in and out on the pins that secure them in the calipers. The pads have plenty of wiggle room and I believe that's what they do when you apply the brake lightly, they vibrate. The vibration is what causes the squeal. You can't tighten the pads up in there. The vibration may be worse at times when the rotors have accumulated a little rust. You could take the pads out and try the anti-squeal stuff on the backing plates. What stopped my squeal was using a different brand of pads than OEM. I have EBC HHH sintered pads. They were quiet for a long time but I started getting a low growning noise at higher speed braking occasionally after about 20,000 miles.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

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Grn14


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Location: Montana

Joined: 02/25/09

Posts: 15511

RE: squeaky brakes
03/27/15 9:21 AM

Perhaps a bit of glazing happening?I'd try taking the pad surfaces and rubbing em several times on the cement(flat)floor.And possibly some VERY FINE sandpaper to the rotors.Light rub...nothing extreme.Then re-break the pads in as if they were new.(or not,up to you really).


* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/27/2015 @ 9:21 AM *

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ninja191


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Location: NYC

Joined: 11/18/09

Posts: 81

RE: squeaky brakes
03/27/15 2:27 PM

EBC HH Sintered pads work for me. I put anti squeal paste on the back plate. Brakes quiet unless it is cold out (below 20 degs) or really wet out. Squeal on light braking is like Rook said, it is vibrations along guide pins. Nothing you can do but put paste in the back of the pad to absorb some vibration.



2013 BMW M5, 2006 ZX14 Passion Red, 2013 ZX14R Pearl Stardust White, 2019 Suzuki M109R

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