Need help healing a squealing that I'm feeling...

tt48

tt48

Joined
Jul 13, 2013
Messages
255
Location
Newalla, OK
Bike
97 ST1100
Last spring, I replaced the rear pads on my '97 non-ABS with the OEM Honda pads, according to the BB parts web site.

About 600 miles after replacement, they developed a squealing noise at low speed, and when dragging for low speed maneuvers. The squealing has developed into a squeal/grind that sounds terrible, and that I can feel through the pedal, and into the fillings in my teeth.

No other issues...no vibes, the bike stops great, nothing going on at higher speeds, or when off of the pedal. No significant dragging when pushing or spun by hand.

Took the pads off tonight for inspection, and expected to see rotor scoring somewhere, but no scoring at all. Anywhere. Nothing on either side. I thought maybe the pad spring had gotten cocked off sideways into the mix, but everything looks normal. All except for that sound.

I did notice some muckiness on the floater pin, so I cleaned her up with steel wool, and a bit of moly paste on re-installation.

I also noticed that, in my haste to get her back on the road last year, I neglected to apply any paste to the rear of the pads...nice and shiny, with two perfect circles to show me that all the pistons are working. I applied a thin coat of paste this time on re-installation.

Would leaving the paste off of the rear of the new pads make such a drastic difference? And are the stock pads, which appear semi-metallic, worth a hoot?

Has anyone experienced something similar, and if so, what was your resolution?

She stops on a dime, but that SOUND!!
 
Yes, coating the back of the pads cut's down on vibration. Make sure the spring clips are in place.

Even some racers prefer OEM sintered pads over after-market pads with different pad materials.
 
I encountered a weird brake pad issue the last time I changed the front pads, that sounds somewhat like your symptom but I'm not really sure from your description. The problem was when I pushed the pads into the caliper I somehow bent the corner on the little stamped metal bracket that holds the pad backing plate in place in the caliper. A picture would help explain, but unfortunately I don't have one available. Anyway, it wasn't enough of an issue to keep the pads from seating into the caliper, sliding over the rotor, and installing normally, but the pads just wouldn't seat properly on the rotor and made a grinding noise. After removing the pads and looking closely at the caliper, I noticed the little tab of bent metal, returned it to its normal shape with some needle nose pliers, problem solved. So pull the pads one more time and take a close look at that metal retaining clip at the back of the caliper and see if its distorted or not.
 
That's a great tip, dwalby! I rode her to work this morning, and didn't notice the squeal or the feel, so perhaps coating the back of the pads with moly solved it.

Time will tell, but if it starts to squeal again, I'll definitely pull the pads and look at those tabs.
 
A much cheaper coating (why waste the precious Moly?) for the backing plate, that also has no chance of contaminating the pad or disc, is contact cement. A light coating allowed to fully dry before assembly will not stick the plate to the pistons and works well to eliminate the vibration causing the squealing. Learned that one in the auto trade back in the early '70's.
 
Larry Fine said:
You can also buy stuff made for it in tiny tubes from your local auto-parts store.
Click to expand...
Or even a small plastic jar of brake pad goop. I happen to have two types - one silicone paste and one black - and both are labeled for lubing brakes. Permatex used to sell a spray can of anti squeal compound you sprayed on the BACK of the pads.
 
Thanks for all the great ideas, folks! It is definitely better after putting the thin coat of moly on the pads....which I don't mind using, as the jar I have will last the rest of my life!
 
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